
Flamin Lip
New member
The way the music instrument biz is going makes me SICK!!!!!! The wholesalers/manufacturers are totally screwing the mom and pops that put them on the map for all those pre internet/big box years.
Fender enters an exclusve deal w/ Walmart/Sams Club to sell a "real Fender Starcaster" value pak, w/ amp and accessories for $125..... How do you compete w/ that? I get these kids coming in for setups and restrings on em..... I always ask em "why didnt ya go back to Sams Club and have one of their guitar techs take a look at it?"
GC and Sam Ash piss me off too. They get lower wholesale prices by ordering volume, and are totally happy to make $30 on a $250 sale.
Gibson is THE WORST!!!! Their new CEO is the former head of Coca Cola.. What does that tell ya bout their dedication to making great gear? Nothing!!!!!! Its all about product placement and the mighty bottom line. How many mom and pop Gibson dealers are ther now? NONE!!!!!!!! Because Gibson has a set in stone high dollar minimum order policy. So if ya want to go play a Les Paul before ya buy it..... dont expect to see one at your mom and pop shop...... we cant afford it.
Sorry about the rant, but I just hate to see the way things are going. Yes.... there is tons of quality affordable gear out there right now, but dont come cryin to me in 5 years when the only way to get an emergency set of strings the night of a gig is to beg em off you pals because the only ones left are on the internet.
Fender enters an exclusve deal w/ Walmart/Sams Club to sell a "real Fender Starcaster" value pak, w/ amp and accessories for $125..... How do you compete w/ that? I get these kids coming in for setups and restrings on em..... I always ask em "why didnt ya go back to Sams Club and have one of their guitar techs take a look at it?"
GC and Sam Ash piss me off too. They get lower wholesale prices by ordering volume, and are totally happy to make $30 on a $250 sale.
Gibson is THE WORST!!!! Their new CEO is the former head of Coca Cola.. What does that tell ya bout their dedication to making great gear? Nothing!!!!!! Its all about product placement and the mighty bottom line. How many mom and pop Gibson dealers are ther now? NONE!!!!!!!! Because Gibson has a set in stone high dollar minimum order policy. So if ya want to go play a Les Paul before ya buy it..... dont expect to see one at your mom and pop shop...... we cant afford it.
Sorry about the rant, but I just hate to see the way things are going. Yes.... there is tons of quality affordable gear out there right now, but dont come cryin to me in 5 years when the only way to get an emergency set of strings the night of a gig is to beg em off you pals because the only ones left are on the internet.