Shopping at the BIG Store vs. The Little Store

Next time you go to a small music shop somewhere, and complain that the prices are too high, consider the following:

1) Do you always shop at the least expensive grocery or hardware store?

Sometimes, personal service or education is worth a few more dollars. A small store may not be able to compete with a larger store on price alone. Large stores buy much larger quantities at a better discount. A large store may not even be interested in making a profit, as much as destroying the competition. Large music stores generally don't have private instructors. Salespeople at large stores rarely are as knowledgeable as small store owners (usually players) in their field. Have you ever tried to buy one screw at a HUGE hardware warehouse?

2) Is the deal your getting really a deal?

Is the price your getting include everything you need? There are a lot of "loss leaders" in large stores, to get you into the store. With drumsets, the price may not include important items like drum hardware or cymbals. "Bait and switch" tactics can confuse customers.

3) Is the equipment you are getting what you need?

A salesperson should first find out enough about the customer to suggest equipment that suits the customer. Simply the cheapest or most expensive item may not be the best product to buy. Understanding how to learn or play music may help in deciding what equipment is best for YOU, the customer. Knowledge is power.

If you are going to big national chain stores, you might consider the lifespan of these corporations. How many stores have you seen disappear, literally overnight. Will there be a place to return the merchandise, or fix it? Who will teach you how to play. If that company gets bought out by another company, will it survive. Of course, the small stores may not survive, either, but that is something the customer can control! One sale goes a long way in a small store. A large chain store corporation may only be concerned with it's stock market rating, this week.

If the small stores don't survive, we may find ourselves with a difficult road ahead, when it comes to local service and education. As tempting as it is to shop by price, consider the lack of service you may be creating for yourself in the future for yourself or your children. Yes, we all want to save a few dollars, but what is that worth if there's no one to help us actually learn how to use the products we buy.

Ed Hartman