The Steel Guitar Forum

Some Mom and Pops know how to survive. Wildwood Music outside of Denver is run by a friend of mine, and is a pleasure to go into. They also do a huge internet business in the back, and have captured the best of both worlds. The Olde Town Picking Parlour does some serious biz and is an indie store. In Pro Audio, Audio Consultant Services and Wind Over the Earth are my only stops--small and successful. All based on service, and surviving and doing well.

Between them and dealing with the steel builders direct, I can't remember the last time I set foot in a "big box" music store.

I may pay a very slight premium in price, but it is worth every cent in service and friendships...

Sam Ash in Nashville has been VERY helpful to me...and 15 minutes from my home...I only started shopping there because my former favorite mom-and-pop store started requiring even their oldest customers to have a "------ Music" credit card!I know just about everyone at Sam Ash from the manager on down,and they have been known to call the house if something I just can't live without comes in!Hello,John Macy!

edited for double post.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 08 August 2003 at 06:17 PM.]</p></FONT>

Sam Ash Is NOT a MEGA store per say. A chain of stores Yes but they try to keep the Family
Tradition as it was.

Edited as thread has not been accepted in the manner It was intended.

Those who e mailed me are free to do as you please,mega stores,or Mom & Pop. I was voicing my opinion. I dont receive pay for these threads as as few of you implied. You are ridiculous. Just mail me a check &
I'll post a Tribute to you Of course I get paid, do you think I do do these things for nuttin . Send your resume to Smiley Roberts and he will foward them to me.

I do it because I have the utmost respect for
the Mom & Pop stores and all they have meant
to the music business all these years.

Im still a Mom & Pop kind of guy

Pop.)

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 08 August 2003 at 09:23 PM.]</p></FONT>

I got to thinking about this thread at work today. I work for one of the largest retailers of instructional videos for guitar,books on vintage guitars and vintage guitar parts in the U.S. We do world wide business via the internet. But we also have a small Mom & Pop guitar shop in suburban Cincinnati,where I work. Not only do I have a Guitar Center and a Sam Ash to compete with there are the mail order people (Musician Friend, AMS etc). I have found I can't compete sometimes price-wise with these outfits but I have a weapon they don't!!! It's called CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! I not only have to know MY product lines but THEIRS also. My customers know I will be straight up with them EVEN IF IT COSTS ME THAT SALE!!! I figure I will win in the long run because my customers know I'm watching out for them. Another example of customer service is every guitar we sell is set up before the customer takes it home. My boss is a great guitar tech. The chains charge you extra for a setup if they offer it at all. Mom & pop stores maybe can't do as big as a big box retailer. WE HAVE TO DO IT BETTER!!!<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jerry Hedge on 29 October 2003 at 08:29 PM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jerry Hedge on 29 October 2003 at 08:30 PM.]</p></FONT>