Rant about an employee at a music store

[Thirdriff]

Okay guys, I'm pretty much a positive person but what the heck is up with these 'diva' guitar sales people? I went in to buy a simple acoustic guitar and after having a simple 5 minute conversation with the sales person, the guy starts freaking out "You don't know what you're looking for! I'm the guitar expert here!". First I was like why are you screaming (I didn't say that but was definitely thinking that) and than I replied in nice calm voice "Well that's why I'm asking you?". I was just shocked because I over heard him complaining about other employees and their scheduling issuesor what not when I walked in and than he has the nerve to treat a customer (Who is ready to buy) in such a bad way.

He's like "You're a noob man - you really don't know what you're talking about?". I was like WTF is going on here . . . "Then the guy starts rambling about how he's been dealing with experts and is practicing for a big guitar showcase, etc) and I felt like saying "Buddy! if you're so good wtf are you doing working for minimum wage". Of course I didn't say that but I smiled and chuckled and left. Even the people in the store were like wtf is up with this rockstar? I bet he doesn't even issue a and invoice because he's too up on his high horse. Like some of these so called 'experts' really need to tone it down. Like dude make the sale. If you're good or whatever you don't have to rub it in people's faces. I thought he was having a bad day but once he started talking about how awesome he is and how much I suck, I was like okay time to leave. A similar thing happened to me in another music store like if you are so awesome, why are you still an employee here? Go rock concerts, etc dude.

Thx for letting me vent! shhhhhh!

[lefty]

As you were walking out the door, you should have reminded Mr. Diva that you were prepared to
buy a guitar that day that would have bumped up his commission, but his shitty attitude pushed
you to buy from one of his competitors! And said it loud enough for other customers to hear!

No wonder I do so much shopping online!

[z1n]

No wonder I do so much shopping online!

+1

I would have asked for someone else.
I always get attitude at GC! Last time I went into a GC to get some Ernie Ball Strings, the guy was like, no one buys these except old dudes. I just smiled and made my purchase. If I wasn't in such a desperate need for them that day I would have just got them online.

[PowerTube]

Buy your acoustic elsewhere, take it into that store and tell the asshole, "I just bought it and I want to compare it so some others." Walk around for a minute and say, "Nah. Mine's better," and walk out the door.

[Mudlark]

There's absolutely, positively, without question, zero chance that would've turned out as well as it did if
that twat would've pulled that on me on a bad day.
I guess I've been lucky. That never happens.

Is there a huge size difference between you two?

May be one of those pricks that pick on smaller fella's?

[Razor]

As you were walking out the door, you should have reminded Mr. Diva that you were prepared to
buy a guitar that day that would have bumped up his commission, but his shitty attitude pushed
you to buy from one of his competitors! And said it loud enough for other customers to hear!

No wonder I do so much shopping online!

This is the answer.

[EntrailsOfU]

As a sales person in a guitar store all I can say is I love hearing these stories. The old days of store employees acting superior and know-it-all like are long gone (and should be). With so many options for places to buy and the ease of online sales should quell this mentality. But all it does is remind me why I'm not that type of person. That is one of those situations where I let the person do all the work, you already probably had a good idea of what you wanted, how can you mess that sale up?!

These stories also make me sad because the more times this happens, the less people are even willing to go into a brick and mortar store. And then everyone on the b&m side of the business wonder why no one wants to give them a chance. I promise there are good stores out there still!

[lefty]

These stories also make me sad because the more times this happens, the less people are even willing to go into a brick and mortar store. And then everyone on the b&m side of the business wonder why no one wants to give them a chance. I promise there are good stores out there still![/QUOTE]




You said a mouthful! When I was starting out on guitar, brick and mortar stores were all we had, and they were local Mom and Pop operations.
They would always work with you and give you a rock bottom price when they could. Got to know their customers, etc. And I always
went back when I needed more gear. Sad to see those days gone by. I live in a fairly good-sized city and there is exactly ONE
locally owned and operated store. He's a great guy, but because he's a small shop, he can't get all the top brands. Very frustrating!

[pianoguyy]

I still treat people like I know everything. Because in my stores, I do.
We are a "specialty" store that doesn't sell stuff run of the mill stuff. In fact, part of the sales pitch is "I am not a salesman, I am an educator", we also say "this is not a music store, this is a hobby shop". Most people don't know this kind of stuff exists, so it really is my job to teach them.
Guys like us don't shop in my stores.

When I was starting out on guitar

But you are no longer "just starting out". You no longer need someone guiding you.
Also, because you are now 50 walking with a cane and no longer a ten year old kid running around the store unaccompanied, we treat you differently.

[markD]

I still treat people like I know everything. Because in my stores, I do.
We are a "specialty" store that doesn't sell stuff run of the mill stuff. In fact, part of the sales pitch is "I am not a salesman, I am an educator", we also say "this is not a music store, this is a hobby shop". Most people don't know this kind of stuff exists, so it really is my job to teach them.
Guys like us don't shop in my stores.

What is your store? Your description has my interest peaked. I love hobbies!!! I love specialty stuff!!! I, too, am an educator. Your store sounds like a place for me!!!

[Nightbat]

I remember when my "Brick and Mortar" music store went to "Big Box-shover" size

I needed new strings, so the rep, 'Paul', who I knew for a few years coming there, recommended GHS ball-less strings, specifically designed for Floyd equipped guitars,
giving me the sales rep of "less breakage, better tuning balance, less 'spring' effect" (blah, blah, you get the idea)

Fast forwards a few weeks later, I walk in again, for new strings

"Hey Paul, I need a few packs of those GHS Floyd strings"
-"We don't sell them anymore"
"Oh? Why not?"
-"They had no benefits compared to regular boomers"
"Really? But you said: [insert recap of sales pitch here]"

Here comes the part where he could have said "we put them through their paces and found they didn't perform so much better that could justify the price difference towards the customers". Instead I got:
-deadpan "I never said that"

" o.0 ...Uhm, yes you did, you said [recap again, my sis, who was with me, was also there when I bought them the first time, so now the both of us were reiterating his story]
-deadpan "No, I never said that"

Now I'm not the guy to get irritated quickly (and that's understating my patience), I usually shrug things away, since often, one can never be 100% sure
but this was one of these rare moments I found my blood beginning to boil.
Here I was I being taken for a fool, this asshole's comment right there showed he took advantage of my naivety when I got those strings the first time and basically called me a liar when put on the spot
Now, if this was some new guy, I'd consider it bad job selection, but this guy had been working there for years, from when they were still a small shop, so as such, considered him part of the "new" business practice

...and so the shop missed out on the many €1000's I spent on gear the years preceding this situation, the corporation that bought that shop after years of diminishing sales ALSO isn't getting my money

It was that day I decided that if, I was gonna be had, I might as well be solely responsible for it instead of being duped by some sleazeball and took my chances in online shopping
And to this day, which is about 20 years later, I haven't burned myself yet, probably saved myself a good amount of cash as well

[EntrailsOfU]

I remember when my "Brick and Mortar" music store went to "Big Box-shover" size

I needed new strings, so the rep, 'Paul', who I knew for a few years coming there, recommended GHS ball-less strings, specifically designed for Floyd equipped guitars,
giving me the sales rep of "less breakage, better tuning balance, less 'spring' effect" (blah, blah, you get the idea)

It sounds to me like he was trying to get rid of old stock and instead of just giving you a deal to get rid of it while explaining, he went the route of taking all your money, then playing you for a fool a few weeks later. Again a terrible practice. I totally get wanting to get rid of dead stock, but to claim ignorance and flat out lie, that's a whole other level of bad.

I work in a store where we carry $50 (used mostly) instruments all the way up to $10,000 instruments, so a mix of run of the mill and specialty. While I am a sales person, I find myself going the route of educator probably 98% of the time. It has worked in my favor for the last 6 years more than being a typical salesperson would. When you educate vs belittle, you leave a person feeling like they've gained something even if they didn't buy anything that day. 99% of the time they come back ready to purchase and always have a much better experience than just being told what to buy. But you have to know when to flip the switch. The soccer mom does need to be told what to buy. She doesn't need to know every option and every detail, that will more than likely confuse and alienate her. I find two or three options in their price range is best. But that is a totally different customer type.

All in all, it's about caring for your customer rather than their money. And in the end, you will most likely get both!

[Heavymetal2000]

I'd just like to chime in quick as the closest shop and the only one that is technically local for me is still a privately owned music shop. The heyday of music stores in my area has dwindled down and that particular store now mostly has lower end entry level guitars from B.C.Rich, a few JS jacksons, a fairly large range of Ibanez and some low end LTDs with a few high end models for each brand.
Anyways, the owner had a guy working there that was a true guitar and music lover. Played drums guitar piano bass you name it.
I absolutely loved going in there when he was working and could just talk for hours about guitars, try them out etc... when I was in there for my first guitar (way back, I actually gave up on it till I got my current Kelly and really started pushing myself to spend time with it) he actually played probably 10 different guitars in my budget through a few different amps so I could get a bit of a feel for what I'd be purchasing and tried to guide me to something I really wanted.
I didn't make it easy cause I was young and wanted something bitchin for metal lol and it had to look cool etc... anyways I ended up buying a peavey Odyssey, I regret selling it to this day.

Long story short, times are hard for these type of shops it seems and he let that guy go after him being there as long as i can remember going in.

2 weeks ago I went in to look at amps and the owner basically stood in the back chit chatting with a buddy and didn't even acknowledge I was in there till I was walking back to the door to leave.
All of a sudden hes concerned I'm omw way out the door but I just politely said I was all done and left. Sadly I don't see the store surviving as it was absolutely dead in there but I also don't see myself going back for much either. The talks about gear and trying new stuff and just being lost in guitars was the reason I enjoyed it so much, if i wanted a generic experience I'd drive further and hit up a chain store.
I feel like private sales and gear swaps as well as online shopping will primarily dominate how I acquire different gear now.

[catzodellamarina]

On a different note..
Long ago I was shopping for a muscle car. In HS I had a 66 Chevelle and when I was around 30 I was gassing for another. I went to a guy who owned a farm with lots of cars for parts and also restored cars. He had a 90% complete 67 Chevelle SS 396 conv. It just needed a new top (which he had) and the interior finished. He pretty much told me the car was out of my league. He was snotty and refused to take me seriously but enjoyed bragging about how much time & $$ it took to restore the car. I had a good job and money to spend but I think he judged me on age and the Cavalier I was driving. I walked away and a little later bought a 69 Camaro.

There is a place in my town that deals in rods and vintage cars. They hate browsers and I swear will only talk to a guy if he drives up in a Mercedes or a Vette.

Can't stand places and people like that.

[pianoguyy]

What is your store? Your description has my interest peaked. I love hobbies!!! I love specialty stuff!!! I, too, am an educator. Your store sounds like a place for me!!!

It's pianos and organs. We sell $100k organs to 90 year old widowers that never played before.
In your neck of the woods, go to a Fletcher's Music to see the Lowrey Organ.