Thursday 12 April 2012

I did it...

I have ordered my new 8-string bass guitar.

Which did I go for?

Well I started by phoning the company that I saw in the web.  They have a shop that I can get to in a day trip, and they have one in stock.

But the guy said that the guitar is in their warehouse which is 40 miles from the shop.

Can I go to the shop and try the guitar?

No, the guitar is in the warehouse.

Any chance of arranging to move the guitar from the warehouse to the shop?

No, it is too far away.

Hm, I would have liked to play the guitar before buying it.

I understand that.

You really don't know if you like a guitar until you try it.

Yes that is true.  We do take returns in 7 days.  You pay the cost of returning it, of course.

Hm.  I'll think about it.

I hung up.

My distrust of internet shopping returned.  This guy really didn't seem to give a crap.  If someone is shipping me something like this I really want him to at least pretend to care.

At lunchtime I went to the local guitar shop and got chatting.

Nice guys, who are friendly even when I just pop in to be nosey.

I mentioned the guitar.  They can get me the one that I tried in London, only this will be brand new and won't have been kicking around a shop for who knows how long.

The guy offered me a good deal.  Not as cheap as the web prices, but as others said in comments to my last post, it is often good to pay extra for peace of mind.

My beast is on its way, and I can't wait.

9 comments:

Abby said...

Oh good. I like the path this story is taking and it sounds like you made the right choice. Next up: the arrival!

Anonymous said...

Wait... Are you saying that a guy who sells guitars seemed disinterested? What is the world coming to?

I just blew up your sarcasm detector.

Rock Chef said...

Abby - Indeed! I have wanted an 8 string for over 30 years!

Wigsf - OK, so guys in guitar shops are often disinterested a-holes...

agg79 said...

Out freakinstanding! I think you nailed the right choice and you won't regret the deal. You're right to trust your gut feeling - if it don't feel right, don't take the deal, no matter how good it sounds. Cannot wait to hear how it sounds with the new amp. Maybe Custard will let you cut loose with a song or two. Congrats!

terri said...

I'm glad you made the decision you're most comfortable with. And the guitar will soon be the newest happy member of your guitar family!

ShadowRun300 said...

Definitely sounds like you made the best choice. My hubby has tons of guitars and amps, and now that I think about it, the guitars all came from a local store, but the amps, cords, speakers, etc. were bought off the internet. His guitars are a part of him, and you can't tell if it's a fit, unless you get to try it out first! Can't wait for you to get it!

Rock Chef said...

Agg79 - The dogs never sing along for some reason -maybe I just don't hit the right frequencies. I will have to take up harmonica - that always works!

Terri - It will indeed - hope the others don't get jealous. I watched Toy Story the other day...

ShadowRun300 - Guitars are a very personal thing - I have tried many guitars that SHOULD have been wonderful but didn't hit my spot. What sort of stuff does your husband play?

Shrinky said...

Whoohoo, well done, that lad! Sounds like you've made a wise choice there, RC, like you say, what price for peace of mind, eh?

Rock Chef said...

Shrinky - Do you mind if I bring this and my 400watt amp with me when I visit? :-)