Bass Direct. An awesome shop
I spent the morning at Bass Direct, just outside of Warwick.
It may end up being the cause of my divorce!
Customer service was excellent, I got to try a load of different head and cab combinations and my every request was dealt with.
Then after I'd made a purchase or 3 the owner of the place got a bunch of new pedals out that he hadn't tried yet just so we could have a laugh and see what they were like.
Brilliant place, and well worth a trip for the low enders.
The Reverend Lord Henry was not one of those new-fangled parsons who carry the principles of their vocation uncomfortably into private life.
That's great to hear Fret'. SOOO many shops don't seem to give a f*ck for their customers these days, music shops included. I've had some contact with Thomann recently. You cannot get a nicer, more helpful bunch of people! Excellent service every time.
It only takes a couple of bad experiences for the mud to stick, as it were. More of us should report good service here when we experience it. A new thread, maybe!?
"They are strings. They reach from one end of the guitar to the other"
We went in there a few years back and were COMPLETELY ignored by the owner (the only person working there). He chatted with his mate the entire time we were there (at least 30 minutes), made no attempt to welcome any approach and was generally useless. We had our buying boots on and were ready to look at some seriously expensive stuff with an eye to purchase. We had previously bought by mail order from him (A LOT of money's worth) but we have never looked at his website since.
Goes to show... not everyone gets the same experience.
Isn't it odd how it's often the owner of the store who's the rude, ignorant ******?
I have had exactly the same treatment in one of our local stores in the past.....And, ironically, they have an article on their notice board about supporting your local music shop and not just going in to try out stuff and then getting it cheaper on the net...
....And guess what?......I now just go in there to try stuff out, then go home and get it cheaper on the net!
As much as half price cheaper, sometimes, thank GOD for the likes of Thomann! Now, THERE is an efficient, polite bunch of people who know how to treat their customers!!!!
"They are strings. They reach from one end of the guitar to the other"
Originally Posted by alwoodcock
This IMO is exactly why alot of shops aren't particulary friendly or helpful. For every one of us that go in looking to make a purchase, they've had to assist another 5 who just wants to try out a guitar, or an amp with no intentions of buying a thing! I worked in Comet for a few years, so I know exactly what customers are like when it comes to this kind of thing!
"For every one of us that go in looking to make a purchase, they've had to assist another 5 who just wants to try out a guitar, or an amp with no intentions of buying a thing!"
Then, they need to learn some manners!! Not everyone who goes into a shop is obliged to buy anything!
It's a competetive market out there.....too bad if a shop hasn't the patience with people. They'll lose trade and it's their own fault! This is the 21st century after all and the way people shop has changed. If these shops don't change to keep up, it's their own fault. Those 5 people are still potential buyers and every customer should be treated the same no matter what!
Should we expect to be treated like shit every time we shop anywhere simply because some people don't necessarily want to make a purchase there and then?
There's always the second hand market too, on this very forum nonethless. What's wrong with trying an item out in a shop before buying it elsewhere second hand?
Last edited by alwoodcock; 6th September 2012 at 06:43 PM.
"They are strings. They reach from one end of the guitar to the other"
Because a shop is in it to make money for itself! Not to help an online retailer or someone selling 2nd hand! I'm not saying there is anything wrong with window shopping, or even trying out the occasional item. And I fully agree with the manners and general customer service side of things, but getting so many timewasters through the door with absolutely no intentions of making their purchase in store can make people complacent!
I used to get people almost on a dailly basis asking advice, wanting demo's etc, only to turn round and pretty much gloat that they will be buying the telly only for £50 quid less online! Its not very nice!
I take it you were on commission??
Of course a shop exists to make money, but if everyone else has an online service that people are using instead of the shop, then it's wakey wakey time!!!!
Modernise and get with the competition....If you can't beat them join them or fail!
The better retailers have a policy where they will match or undercut online prices as well. Plenty of them are online and can price check an item if you tell them who's got it cheaper. Deal done. The particular shop I'm talking about, doesn't do that AND they're over priced. (and the owner is rude, so I don't think he deserves any customers at all, let alone
people trying out gear without buying.)
Some customers are idiots to gloat about getting items cheaper online. That's just plain rude, however, the obvious message staring Comet (or any other firm) right in the face is to do something about it i.e. get your products online and bring the prices inline with the competition!
Last edited by alwoodcock; 6th September 2012 at 10:06 PM.
"They are strings. They reach from one end of the guitar to the other"
I went in there once when in the area for work (I live nowhere near) and was impressed. Wanted to look at an Overwater - not many places you can do so!
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