Things change, adapt or die, it the way of the world, always has beenWhat about Macy's closing 150 stores and making smaller stores. What about Sears going out of business and Toy's R US. Who's next? Online sales is the reason some stores are either suffering or going out of business. There was a time there was no buying things online.
Sears had the best chance to survive of anyone they were always doing mail order sales they had the infrastructure set up but wouldn't embrace internet sales until it was too lateWhat about Macy's closing 150 stores and making smaller stores. What about Sears going out of business and Toy's R US. Who's next? Online sales is the reason some stores are either suffering or going out of business. There was a time there was no buying things online.
I hear you and you're right. Some small businesses can't afford to do online sales.Sears had the best chance to survive of anyone they were always doing mail order sales they had the infrastructure set up but wouldn't embrace internet sales until it was too late
Is the one in Roosevelt Field still around? I think that was the first guitar store I ever visited.
I, and many of my dj friends haven't touched or heard a piece of equipment that I bought in almost a decade. Like a lot nowadays, if you're paying top dollar for an item, a lot of it is word of mouth and taking the time to research what you have interest in to make sure you're getting the best. I bought my rcf system based on others input. I bought astera's based on seeing certain setups that I liked. I did research in everything to make sure it was right for my needs, but the exposure to items came from others. And that's how it will continue to be I feel.It's really interesting to see where this will eventually go. Part of me suspects that the brands that make gear will eventually need to create showcase environments for their stuff since the retailers will largely be gone.
Consumers clearly want to be able to see and touch some of this merchandise, but they go to a local store to try it out. Then they go home and order from someone cheaper. So if all the retailers go out of business, the only way to demo anything will be if the manufacturers create a way to touch and handle their stuff.
There are isolated ways now, like the DJ expos. And we obviously see a lot of stuff sold through YouTube reviews and influencer type folks like Jason Jani showing off his rigs. But that won't hit the whole country. I could see a shop like Pioneer running road shows, but some of the smaller companies will have trouble doing that I'd bet.
It just doesn't make sense to keep any of these retailers open and pay the rent necessary for retail storefront if you're just going to get undercut by online retailers all the time.
Well summarized and sadly totally accurate.It just doesn't make sense to keep any of these retailers open and pay the rent necessary for retail storefront if you're just going to get undercut by online retailers all the time.
I buy semi locally for service, Full Compass systems is about an hour from me they are an authorized repair center for every brand they carry , have given me free loaner gear in the past when something has broken, nothing gets shipped out for repair, It does cost a little more sometimes but the service is worth itIt's really interesting to see where this will eventually go. Part of me suspects that the brands that make gear will eventually need to create showcase environments for their stuff since the retailers will largely be gone.
Consumers clearly want to be able to see and touch some of this merchandise, but they go to a local store to try it out. Then they go home and order from someone cheaper. So if all the retailers go out of business, the only way to demo anything will be if the manufacturers create a way to touch and handle their stuff.
There are isolated ways now, like the DJ expos. And we obviously see a lot of stuff sold through YouTube reviews and influencer type folks like Jason Jani showing off his rigs. But that won't hit the whole country. I could see a shop like Pioneer running road shows, but some of the smaller companies will have trouble doing that I'd bet.
It just doesn't make sense to keep any of these retailers open and pay the rent necessary for retail storefront if you're just going to get undercut by online retailers all the time.
I agree with you - I know tons of people that need to see and touch before they buy - and moving to an Amazon type store won't work. While some can do the mail order scene, many cannot. When that's your only option, lots of things will change for lots of people.It's really interesting to see where this will eventually go. Part of me suspects that the brands that make gear will eventually need to create showcase environments for their stuff since the retailers will largely be gone.
Consumers clearly want to be able to see and touch some of this merchandise, but they go to a local store to try it out. Then they go home and order from someone cheaper. So if all the retailers go out of business, the only way to demo anything will be if the manufacturers create a way to touch and handle their stuff.
There are isolated ways now, like the DJ expos. And we obviously see a lot of stuff sold through YouTube reviews and influencer type folks like Jason Jani showing off his rigs. But that won't hit the whole country. I could see a shop like Pioneer running road shows, but some of the smaller companies will have trouble doing that I'd bet.
It just doesn't make sense to keep any of these retailers open and pay the rent necessary for retail storefront if you're just going to get undercut by online retailers all the time.
It’s actually down the block from Rosevelt field and I think it is closing. Guitar city has a store across the street from Roosevelt Field. I think guitar city is doing better business as I have brought a couple of smaller items from the store. I used to bring my son into guitar city to,play the drums there.Is the one in Roosevelt Field still around? I think that was the first guitar store I ever visited.
It’s actually down the block from Rosevelt field and I think it is closing. Guitar city has a store across the street from Roosevelt Field. I think guitar city is doing better business as I have brought a couple of smaller items from the store. I used to bring my son into guitar city to,play the drums there.
I’m sorry to say I started buying stuff online in the early 90s. I have a Citibank card which doesn’t even have a barcode, they issued back then just for online purchase. It first started with computers. I used to use a monthly magazine computer shopper. Then progressed to video equipment, then audio equipment. Pretty much anything can be shipped. Sometimes the larger equipment comes on shipping skids. That’s how my new JBL system came in. Not only is the price better from who I buy from online, they are far more knowledgeable than anyone I run into in stores. That’s how I met one of the big shots in Sam, Ash, one of my guys in 1992 was in Sam Ash telling them about the my Martin Intel lighting and Howie overheard the conversation and contacted me. I met up with him that the next LDI conference in Dallas. Intel lighting was big back then and the major players were Highend and Martin. Now you don’t see either. ADJ was DJ level then. Now ADJ, Elation & Chauvet now are major players
Martin was acquired by ETC, and High End by Harmon International. ETC is very much in the mainstream and their products are everywhere.. . the major players were High End and Martin. Now you don’t see either. ADJ was DJ level then. Now ADJ, Elation & Chauvet now are major players
You don't see the Brand names Martin and High End. Ok?Martin was acquired by ETC, and High End by Harmon International. ETC is very much in the mainstream and their products are everywhere.