You get one wish from Guitar Center.........

[Psycho Ward]

BP and Marty, thank you so much for doing this, I've never seen anything like this. I takes a lot of guts to try something like this.

I've bought many things from the GC and I'm so happy to have one here in Greensboro. I stop by quite often and I have a couple of friends that work there, it gives it that mom and pop vibe... except with a huge selection. They really were great in getting me the only MarkBass amp in GSO!

Again, thanks!

[Sigmunds Couch]

Genie Wish 1.0 - Customer oriented web based query of available inventory across the entire GC/MF organization. From the internet or via kiosk's in the stores. Include items that are in the production pipleline.

I would expect that GC/MF currently has a significant investment in their supply chain / inventory control software . You don't reach this size without having a strong handle on what's in stock, how fast it turns and where it is. I assume that the backend of this is standard database. The basics are already in place with MF and this would benefit every manufacturer on GC's line card.

Genie Wish 1.1 - The ability for the customer to draw the desired inventory located during the query to our local store.

This is where it gets dicey. Wanton shipping without closing the deal will bleed you to death. There would have to be some controls in place to ensure the shipping costs do not lead to increased overhead / lost margin. A deposit; "well qualified buyer" status; frequent buyer program perk; something.

It's obviously something the Bean Counters would have to be involved in to determine the cost vs. revenue aspect of it. (If nothing else, it'll give'em something to occupy their time.) It might turn out that only 15% of customers would use the service whereby increasing their purchase frequency by threefold. Or it might turn out that by increasing the "best" price offered across all inventory by 1/4% to 1/2% more than offsets any costs incurred by the service.

Genie Wish 2.0 - Traveling EBMM Product Showcase

I tossed this thought out here on the forum after the Open House. There are a great many of us out here that just don't get to pickup and play all of the instruments available from BP and Company. Personal testimonial - I was dead set on a Y2D as my next purchase. Sterling setup the backlot NAMM show with all models out at the Open House and the next thing I know, I've got a Petrucci on order. I would have never considered the JP as my next purchase until I was able to pick it up and play it.

Putting the variety of EBMM instruments available in the hands of the buyers usually will do the trick. Perhaps team up with MarkBass and ENGL or (insert under exposed guitar amp manufacturer here) to offset costs and increase exposure and sales of the complementary products. Maybe tie it to the Battle of the Bands / Warped Tour with the mobile stages. Consider a trailer full of the most popular selling variations of the models to accompany the Traveling Showcase to allow for immediate purchase gratification. If feasable, set aside part of the SLO production bucket to reduce the lead time for those folks that place orders during the event.

GC is a marketing juggernaut and definitely can create a stir. An event such as this would obviously draw people and therefore generate collateral revenue for EBMM products and GC inventory just by having the warm bodies in proximity to merchandise. This is again something else to send the Bean Counters in to a flurry of activity.




Pleasure to meet you in Dallas Marty.

[oddjob]

Originally Posted by Psycho Ward

BP and Marty, thank you so much for doing this, I've never seen anything like this. I takes a lot of guts to try something like this.

I've bought many things from the GC and I'm so happy to have one here in Greensboro. I stop by quite often and I have a couple of friends that work there, it gives it that mom and pop vibe... except with a huge selection. They really were great in getting me the only MarkBass amp in GSO!

Again, thanks!

+1 on this - I live about a mile from GC Cincy and it is nice to have a friendly ear about the one of the places I spend a lot of time and money in

[J-Nick]

I don't live in the US but I've been to GC a couple of times.

I will add one more vote to stocking more leftys (especially guitars). I don't know of any other company that produces high end leftys without ordering through their custom shop. The crappy imports do not stand a chance compared to EBMMs. Even though we're only a very small percentage of the market, I'm convinced that the southpaw inventory would move very fast. I often check online EBMM dealers and the leftys usually do not stay up very long...

An up to date online inventory would also be very useful. With a minimum inventory on the floor you get to find the instrument you like. You can then check the online inventory to find the instrument with the exact specs you desire and get it transfered to your local store for purchase. That's a lot faster than ordering a new one and waiting 6 months before getting it.

Cheers!

[Beth]

Originally Posted by Sigmunds Couch

Genie Wish 1.0 - Customer oriented web based query of available inventory across the entire GC/MF organization. From the internet or via kiosk's in the stores. Include items that are in the production pipleline.

I would expect that GC/MF currently has a significant investment in their supply chain / inventory control software . You don't reach this size without having a strong handle on what's in stock, how fast it turns and where it is. I assume that the backend of this is standard database. The basics are already in place with MF and This would benefit every manufacturer on GC's line card.

Maybe this already exists, or maybe it doesn't, but to take the aforementioned software and use it to identify which territories have the most queries/requests for certain models. The end customer would be prompted with an "enter zip code". The models they look up would be recorded into a database, allowing GC to see which territories request more of which types of models, and be able to stock according to customer inquiries electronically. I'm sure something like this happens with grocery stores and "regional" foods.

[Sigmunds Couch]

Originally Posted by Beth

Maybe this already exists, or maybe it doesn't, but to take the aforementioned software and use it to identify which territories have the most queries/requests for certain models. The end customer would be prompted with an "enter zip code". The models they look up would be recorded into a database, allowing GC to see which territories request more of which types of models, and be able to stock according to customer inquiries electronically. I'm sure something like this happens with grocery stores and "regional" foods.

The "regionality" leads to Genie Wish 2.0. I live in a third tier market but I have the ability and pleasure to travel to first tier markets (and I'm a member of the best forum on the planet) so I'm exposed to everything you guys do. At my gigs, I get alot of the (insert Steve Martin / Bill Murray voices) "what the hell is that?" Knowledge = sales.

I just aged myself with that SNL reference...didn't I?

[mrpackerguy]

Originally Posted by T-bone

One of my first thoughts, when walking in to one of your stores, is I've fallen outside your demographic. I'm too old (52 but hey, 52 is the new 40). I'm dressed too well. I look like a complete dork with no tatoos, no piercings and my shirt is tucked in. Consequently, I get paid very little attention. I did purchase a buttercream L.E. last year from your Beaverton Oregon Store, and have nothing but praise for the store manager who helped. He, however, has found a new calling and, much like many people in retail, has moved on.

It's important to note, Sir, I'm now in my 50's and am certainly at the peak of my earning potential. My wife, still being in her 40's (okay late 40's) has yet to reach her peak in terms of earning. My children are raised and through college. My mortgage is leveraged and leveraged again in order to purchase more real estate and commercial properties. I have money in the bank and I still have money left over each month. So when I wander in to one of your stores, I'm amazed that I (and I'm sure I'm not alone here) can come out of there without making a purchase of some sort.

Another item of note, although it's been addressed, is the noise level. Not so much the recorded music, but mostly the guitar wankers. Some of those kids (not all, but many) believe the louder it is, the better it sounds. And there may have been a time when I felt the same way (1969, 70, 71, 72,73 Led Zepplin concerts). But not so much anymore. If anything, it will drive me out of the store into some of the smaller, independent retailers - which is where I've just purchased a new 30th.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, thanks to Sterling for hosting this, and I hope you find all of our comments of value.

tbone

Don't think I could have said that any better!

[roburado]

Originally Posted by eddybomb

I would like to see Markbass products available in more than just a few select stores.
The closest to me is a 9 hour drive, and I have 2 GC's within 2 1/2 hours of me.
I would even drive to the Motor City to try and buy one...just can't bring myself to drive to Chicago though.

Well, here in the Motor City area, I have gone to Southfield, Canton, and Roseville. None of the three have Mark Bass unless Canton has started carrying it in the past couple of months. I don't know about any of the other stores in the area.

[roburado]

Originally Posted by bubbao

In past years GC was often slammed over the option we offered the customer of buying a guitar with or without the case. Many pro-players, because they already owned lots of cases and bags, liked this option and paid less. On the other hand it led people to think we didn't give them a case even though they were'nt charged for one. News groups were full of people saying we screwed them. Confusing yes, but in the 80's and 90's it was all about being able to advertise a lower price than the competition.

Enter the new millinium and today Guitar Center prices all guitars and basses WITH cases.

I hope this clears up the GC case issue.

BTW You still can refuse to buy the case if you choose to. But who in their right mind would buy that Stingray, Sterling or Bongo without a case?

Ed O

Actually, I was just in the Roseville, MI, store. A number of EBMM basses and one guitar had price tags with the "exploded" price, i.e., no case. Just FYI.

[roburado]

Originally Posted by Sigmunds Couch

Genie Wish 2.0 - Traveling EBMM Product Showcase

I tossed this thought out here on the forum after the Open House. There are a great many of us out here that just don't get to pickup and play all of the instruments available from BP and Company. Personal testimonial - I was dead set on a Y2D as my next purchase. Sterling setup the backlot NAMM show with all models out at the Open House and the next thing I know, I've got a Petrucci on order. I would have never considered the JP as my next purchase until I was able to pick it up and play it.

Putting the variety of EBMM instruments available in the hands of the buyers usually will do the trick. Perhaps team up with MarkBass and ENGL or (insert under exposed guitar amp manufacturer here) to offset costs and increase exposure and sales of the complementary products. Maybe tie it to the Battle of the Bands / Warped Tour with the mobile stages. Consider a trailer full of the most popular selling variations of the models to accompany the Traveling Showcase to allow for immediate purchase gratification. If feasable, set aside part of the SLO production bucket to reduce the lead time for those folks that place orders during the event.

GC is a marketing juggernaut and definitely can create a stir. An event such as this would obviously draw people and therefore generate collateral revenue for EBMM products and GC inventory just by having the warm bodies in proximity to merchandise. This is again something else to send the Bean Counters in to a flurry of activity.

Wow...that's a really cool idea. Kind of like demo days at a golf shop.

[phatduckk]

i was at GC yesterday and might pop back in today.

1 thing i noticed w/ the instruments i wanted to check out is that they were way high up requiring a ladder to get to em... couldnt even see the price tag. so a few peices were nixxed in my head to do me being way too impatient to try n flag down a dude that could get a ladder.

[EBMM7181]

Like most everyone else, I have had good and bad expieriences at GC - It's impossible to please everyone, though! I enjoy going to my local GC's Marietta & Atlanta They are always well stocked and the Atlanta store has plenty of EBMM stuff, the Marietta store has some, but not as much as Atl.

I love GC's prices and their string selection, they have carry all kinds of bass slinkys, They are the only store near me that has the Hybrid Slinkys, thats the strings I prefer, every mom and pop aroud here only has the Supers, they are good, but I like the Hybrids.

If I could change just ONE thing about my Marietta store, it would be the entrance to the store, it has one of those amusement park type things that you have to walk through the bars, thats a little annoying, but other than that, both GC's here are great.

[Bass-sic]

I think the GC's near me have had excellent staff. Very helpful, yet leave you alone when wanted.

I love the fact that you can buy gift cards online now..a big plus.

I think the main thing would be to have the instruments in tune or tuners nearby.

I think having more chairs or straps nearby would be a plus. It is hard to check out an instrument without playing it, and you have to search for a chair or wait for someone to get up before you can do that. So straps nearby would be a great alternative.

Also a couch, TV, and a couple of magazines in a section for the dragged in family member, would be a great plus. It would help clear up the aisles, give more time for the musician to explore and entertain the poor victim dragged into the store that has no interest in the music scene.

[philiprst]

One the "case issue"....

In principle, I think it is a great idea to give the customer a choice of buying a guitar with a case of their choosing especially for the lower priced guitars that come with poor factory cases. However, the only problems I have ever had with GC revolve around cases.

I one specific instance the GC had sold the proper factory case that came with a rather expensive guitar I was buying and the salesperson tried to sell it to me in another (much cheaper case). This wasn't a problem since he said he would just order the correct case for me and have it in a few days. I even paid extra for the cheaper case to take the guitar home in (I needed an extra case anyway).

That was exactly 1 year and 2 months ago and still no case. I eventually concluded that he had just sold me the guitar with the cheap case, never placed the order for the correct one and then lied to me for over a year in the hope I would eventually forget about it.

I have had great experiences with GC, great pricing and service. But I think this separate case policy is just ripe for exploitation by the occasional unscrupulous employee.

[Kristopher]

Originally Posted by NorM

From what Marty said in another thread
I think the Knuckleheads are assuming that responsibility for the EBMM stock @ GC
here it is

I'm sure they make enough money to afford either hiring new employees or to train current employees to do a bit of extra work. And I think keeping the instruments in the store in good playable condition is a very profitable move, considering that how an instrument plays probably plays a huge determination on whether or not someone actually buys it.

I think the idea of people reporting problems with instruments is great, but it's my opinion that it's in GC's best financial interest to present what they're selling in the most attractive and presentable way possible. As in a lot of situations, investing a little time and money usually comes back with interest.

Just an opinion, though. I'm not trying to bash anybody, and honestly I spend more time and money in GC than any other music store. The selection is amazing, and the "no money for a year" financing is freaking amazing, along with the fact that I can ask and usually receive a a few bucks off most of the used stuff I end up buying.