buying a guitar online....whats your opinion...

[pointsofhonesty]

hey whats going on I have this guitar that ive been playing in the store a couple times and i love it so i wanna buy it...and i was thinking of just buying it online considering better price and availablity of the color i want...are there any downsides to this? any online dealers i should stay away from and any online dealers that are good that youve delt with...if you have any info on this why its good or bad id love to hear..if you could help me that would be awesome

 

[Phobophile]

hey whats going on I have this guitar that ive been playing in the store a couple times and i love it so i wanna buy it...and i was thinking of just buying it online considering better price and availablity of the color i want...are there any downsides to this? any online dealers i should stay away from and any online dealers that are good that youve delt with...if you have any info on this why its good or bad id love to hear..if you could help me that would be awesome

Yes, purchasing online is a completely viable way of buying guitars, instruments, equipment, etc. About everything audio-related I own has been purchased from the internet. My friend purchased his guitar online, I recall.

As long as you buy from reputable merchants, you'll be fine. If you decide to purchase from eBay (which has some great deals, I might add) be sure to have a look at the seller's reputation and the feedback that he/she has received.

 

[pointsofhonesty]

well i was gonna do an online dealer like musiciansfriend or music 123...def not ebay...any reccomendations??

 

[spoonie g]

I generally make it a practice not to buy guitars unplayed. You never really know what your getting, and two of the same models can vary quite a bit.

 

[punkin]

I'd be sure of the return/exchange policy and shipping costs if you need to exersize this option. It's just me but I couldn't do it.

 

[Lorde]

cool....

Hey man....I usually do some online shopping and I think Music123.com and Zzounds.com are probably the best.....there are some other great ones too, like Humbucker music's online store, and American Music Supply.....just shop for the best price and try to get the others to beat that. Competitve pricing. haha If you are buying gear online, this time of year is good too, cause they are usually having old stock discounts in January to make room for the 2005 stuff...so a little patience can mean big savings! Later.....Lorde

 

[bongolation]

Electric? Yes, I would and do buy online.

Acoustic? No way.

There's some difference between electrics, but acoustics are just too hugely different from one to the next to buy unplayed.

 

[onlyfingers]

buy local if you can

Hi.

If you go to a store and try out the instruments, maybe you should give the guy a shot at your business. Tell the store owner that you like the guitar, but found it on the Web, and tell him what you'll pay, including shipping, tax, and case. Ask him what he can do on the price. If he wants your business, he'll make some accommodation--maybe enough of an accommodation. But don't expect a local store to match a web price.

Here's another discussion you might be interested in:

www.guitarseminars.com

Topic: How reliable is to buy a guitar online?
Date: 11/9/04
Thread started by: orestesd

 

[Lambo]

I too have purchased electrics on-line; some I liked and some I returned. Most reputable companies will accept returned merchandise within a reasonable time frame (usually 30 days from purchase) but beware, it's on your dime. My on-line purchase experiences have been best with Musician's Friend, Sam Ash, Sweetwater and BPM Music. BPM music has the best prices on Roland and dare I say Behringer products. They also now carry Marhall Amps.
I agree with the others who advise not buying an acoustic on-line. (you'd get better odds in Las Vegas) Everything else, go for it!

 

[punkin]

Hi.

If you go to a store and try out the instruments, maybe you should give the guy a shot at your business. Tell the store owner that you like the guitar, but found it on the Web, and tell him what you'll pay, including shipping, tax, and case. Ask him what he can do on the price. If he wants your business, he'll make some accommodation--maybe enough of an accommodation. But don't expect a local store to match a web price.

Here's another discussion you might be interested in:

www.guitarseminars.com

Topic: How reliable is to buy a guitar online?
Date: 11/9/04
Thread started by: orestesd

I've done that exactly with some really good success. If nothing else, work that angle to get accessories like hard cases straps, stings, cords, picks...work it till they bleed! Don't take no for an answer...if the sales bum says no, ask him to check with the manager. Seriously!

 

[dvance101]

Buying online

Like many of the guys here, I have purchased most all of my gear from online. In fact all of my studio guitars and basses as well as recording gear all came from online stores. I personally have never had any problems using such companies as AMS, Musicians Friend, and Sam Ash.

Good Luck with your purchasing

 

[A GUY NAMED JON]

Sam Ash.

They never have anything in stock. I gave up on them. Musicianfriend has yet to let me down, but I've only bought drum stuff from them.

 

[turnitdown]

MF is awesome w/ returns...... I have returned 3 guitars (bought 7 total) from them, and they are GREAT!!! I'd feel comfortable buying a guitar from the. Cosmetic defect? No Problem. Changed mind? No problem.

Instant email of the Fedex pickup slip. Go online w/ Fedex, schedule a convenient time, put box out front, wait 4 days for full refund. Aesome. NEVER a problem.

 

[DigitalSmigital]

So, my mind has been changed by this thread. Effects, pedals, cables, these I have bought online. But guitars?

Of course not acoustic. No two acoustic gutars will have the same tone, feel, look, no matter what make. But having read the posts, I would consider buying online an electric guitar.

 

[bigdaddyd]

Hi.

If you go to a store and try out the instruments, maybe you should give the guy a shot at your business.

Man, what a great piece of advice. Those people have to eat too. Those small guitar shops are always willing to wheel and deal.


Just an interesting side point, there are two small "owner run" guitar shops in spokane, both within two blocks of each other. One of them housed the new singer "miles davis" whilst he was a typical working man. The other one is going out of business as we speak. I'd go into that one and his prices were always just a little higher than everyone else- but they'de always say 'talk to us, where willing to deal.'

 

[hixmix]

I and a couple of other people here bought Gibson's online from A-Plus Guitars a couple of years ago. They were having a really great sale on 335's and Les Pauls. I don't believe anybody had any problems. The guys there were really nice and they set up the guitar to your liking before shipping.

Always use a good credit card with purchase protection when buying on-line. Amex is very good for this. If you pay by money order or check you're basically screwed if something goes wrong and the seller proves to be unreputable.

 

[Scottgman]

I've bought a couple guitars online from music stores and even a couple off Ebay. I think it's a great way to save money and get _exactly_ what you want.

As you pointed out, the selection in music stores isn't often the greatest. They may have the guitar you want but not the color, etc.

I would just recommend that you know _exactly_ what you want and _exactly_ what you are buying. If you've already played and want that particular make/model of guitar, then buying it online should be simple.

Now, Ebay is a different story. I wouldn't hesitate at all to buy a guitar from an online store. But if you were to buy-- for example-- a vintage guitar on a Ebay, I would recommend being much more cautious. Maybe even so far as using an escrow company.

Good Luck!

 

[MadAudio]

I bought a guitar online from AMS. I had never played it - only saw it in their catalog. This was one of those impulse buys, but I figured I could return it if I realy didn't like it. Not only did it arrive quickly, but it was in tune. I still have that guitar. In fact my other guitar is mad at me because I hardly ever touch it now!

 

[Dave_M]

I've purchased more equipment via the internet than at GC or any other store. My experiences with Musician's Friend have been excellent. Everything arrives in mint condition and usually in less than five days. I agree that buying an acoustic guitar is different than electrics and have not purchased anything acoustic online (but a cheap Rogue mandolin from Musician's Friend).

 

[gvarko]

Nothing wrong with EBay...

well i was gonna do an online dealer like musiciansfriend or music 123...def not ebay...any reccomendations??

Many local music stores advertise on EBay now.. Just be sure to check the feedback and you should be fine..

I have purchased 3 guitars and 2 basses from both private sellers and merchants on EBay w/ no problems..