Bad Customer Service At A Music Store? It’s Not Just You (Sadly)

While I may be new at guitar, I’ve always been a student of music for life, so I’ve been to a music store more than a handful of times. In this article, I will be sharing my experiences, along with other’s experiences at other music shops when I brought this topic up.

My Experiences

The closest music store to home wasn’t necessarily far, as in you can get there in under 10 minutes with a car…but I’m a transit user, so getting there required 2 buses that can take a while to come, and some walking. Before Presto with their 2 hour transfer, it would take me $6 bus fare for the whole trip so keep that in mind.

Understand that 95% of my experiences, as of the writing at this article, was at this one shop. I can’t really keep it a secret anyways, so for any Torontonians reading this, I’m referring to Long & McQuade, North York location.

I’ve bought various things from this shop. Harmonicas a couple times, many music books, guitar picks, pedals, and cables, my favourite tuner, etc. I usually went alone, but I’ve visited a couple times with friends and family as well.

I find that every single time I go there, even though there are employees on the floor, I’m never greeted at the door. No one passes by and asks if I need help, and it’s nearly impossible finding someone to help you when you do need assistance.

What should be a 5-10 minute shopping trip (ie, can you recommend a tuner or strings) can end up taking half an hour because I need to hunt down someone, or wait for someone to cash me out.

When I do hunt someone down, I find they don’t really seem to…care? I don’t know how to put it. They’re not the friendliest, and I could tell they just want to finish up with me and go back to..who knows what they do. They tend to give blunt answers (Go with this one (no explanation)/iunno, you’ll have to see what works for you), or they don’t really give you the details you’re seeking.

I bought my Blue Squier stratocaster at Cosmo online during the pandemic, around March 2020. The store was far outside of Toronto, so I had to find a ride to go pick it up cornerside. They said it was ready, so I made arrangements…and only after getting back did I realize, the guitar bag that I ordered was not included.

Not only that, but the ‘new’ guitar I bought had a crack in the paint, a lot of black marks around it, and other physical scratches and dents. I was dissappointed and asked for an exchange. I’m very patient as I know people could be busy, but after waiting almost 2 months, I started calling them more often, and it was ready for me. It seems like they would have forgotten about me if I didn’t start hassling them.

Anyways, when I picked up my second guitar, it was really uncomfortable to play, especially compared to the first. I bared it for a while, thought it may just take some getting used to, but it was causing me a lot of wrist pain.

I then noticed the strings were quite high and the fretboard was curved. I didn’t know what any of that meant as I was a beginner who had yet to change my own strings, but the last thing I wanted to do was damage my new guitar trying to repair it myself.

So that summer while things were open for a little while, I brought it in to L&M to have it looked at, as I obviously wasn’t going to find another ride to go back to Cosmo. I was willing to pay whatever for a setup or repairs, especially since I didn’t buy it from them.

The guy took a 10 second glance, played 2 chords on it and said “it feels fine to me, you just gotta practice more”….well thanks for the wasted bus fare.

So I bared it for a few more months. I thought I was getting better, but it was just getting in the way. I couldn’t play for very long, and it was harder to mute the lower strings while playing chords due to the height.

After doing more research, I realized the ‘action was high’, but that I could fix that and the curve by adjusting the truss rod. I also lowered the bridge a bit to make it more even. I then filed down the fret ends with a small nail file I had at home as it was constantly scratching me when I played. It’s a lot better to play now. I still dealt with all that for a good 6 months or so though.

One time, my little cousin was staying over for some time. She saw my guitar and was really interested in it. Her parents made her learn piano, but she told me she really wanted to play guitar. After showing her the basics and how her piano knowledge could be transfered over, I asked her what songs does she like or would want to play. She told me “Fuwa Fuwa Time” from K-ON!!, a popular band anime. Ironically, my first band attempt covered that song at our only rehearsal.

Knowing her interests and intentions were pure, I decided to take her L&M so we can look at guitars together, and perhaps find one that’s good for her, if her parents were open to it (though, they do buy her anything she wants haha).

Once again, through the whole experience, not a single person came up to us to help or assist, but I had a bit more courage setting her up and letting her play the instruments. It would just suck if we really wanted something on the top of the wall, as I certainly couldn’t reach those on my own, even with the small ladders.

All in all, my general experience has been pretty cold. I either get no customer service or bad customer service. Every blue moon, though, I do get lovely asssitance.

One lady who I’ve never seen again, was enthusiastic when I sought help looking for a math rock book, and did her best to find similar books that may help. There’s also a black gentleman whom a mutual friend introduced me to when we visited together.

Another time, I was looking for a pedal. I had to wait by the glass (which is right by the door, and near the front counter) a good 15 minutes. I then saw him passing by and I told him I was interested in a distortion pedal. He asked for more details, took a few out for me to try, set it up to the amp, left me a bit to try it out, and then helped me with the purchase.

I will admit as well, music stores are quite intimidating for me. Outside of the one black employee, all the other employees have been white. I get that other white musicians may feel confident walking in, taking some picks and cables, pulling a guitar off the wall, playing for an hour or two, and walking out without buying anything…but being black, and especially shopping in the Jane & Finch area (a place still feared by the public due to lots of gang and gun violence in the mid 2000s), the last thing I’d want to do is put myself in a situation where I would be accused of stealing something. Music equipment ain’t cheap after all.

Nowadays, if I know what I want or need, I would just buy it on Amazon. There’s no point in me wasting 3 hours of my day, bus fare, 2 buses both ways, if I’m not going to get any assistance or advice.

When I buy my next guitar, I would definitely like to play it first, as I didn’t have that opportunity with my last 2 guitars (bought first one second hand, bought second online), but outside of needing to test an actual instrument, there’s just no real value to stepping inside the store at the moment, at least for the big chains.

Other’s Experiences

A couple months ago, Samurai Guitarist, a Youtuber from Toronto, made a video where he talked about his experiences as an employee at a music store.

I made a comment saying that I usually have a bad experience and sharing some points I made above. At the end, I said that I wasn’t sure if this was normal, or if maybe I’m being discriminated against (as I know women usually have a hard time in the music industry), however, I never assume I’m being discriminated against unless I know. I actually got a lot of responses that I will share below.

A lot seemed to agree with me, saying they get little acknowledgement or a bad experiences:

The L&M in my town is full of dudes who just ignore anyone who comes in, unless they know the person as a fellow cover band member.. For the last 25 I’ve tried to not go there as much as I can in favour of the local shop. Unfortunately if you want certain licensed products you have to go there.

Remy F.

As a dude with decent experience on my back now to atleast know what I’m talking about I feel you when you say that sometimes they are impossible to find or they look like they don’t want to be there and try to get it over with as fast as possible, I basically never go to guitar stores anymore as a result and just buy everything on websites that allow me to return stuff for free so that I can try out stuff on my own in my room

Dejvi

This is a very common experience especially for women. i’ve seen it before. a lot of stores are full of arrogant music bros who don’t want to help anyone who doesn’t fit their definition of a musician.

Bree A.

That’s even worse than mine, I took my first guitar for a setup and testing if it stays in tune (it’s a Floyd and it wasn’t staying in tune if whammy used), was implied not to interfere “I’ve got 40 years of experience” and “beginners shouldn’t get Floyds” and then I got the guitar back almost equally badly set up as it originally was and still not staying in tune. I don’t really like to go to that shop, not probably surprising. 😀 I proceeded to set it up myself and later with the help of a luthier to address the tuning stability issue after I failed to figure it on my own, after excluding several most common tuning instability causing issues. I don’t have really issues with shopping as a female but have to be careful what I’m buying and not trust the (second) store to just get me on request. Been sold a wrong item a few times.

Eksynyt M.

You must be referring to Guitar Center. When I go into my local store, everyone disappears.

Dave D.

I was going to ask you if you were a girl.. it shit, isn’t it? Good for you for making your own adjustments. There’s a place I won’t go to any more because of a shit attitude from the manager.

Han R.

This is 99% of all instrument shops I have ever gone to

Freedie K.

I went to the guitar center at 14th street in Manhattan and the same thing happened to me except I had payed 60 bucks for it to be repaired because the electronics were bad since I got a Chinese knock off. I played for a little bit at the store and it sounded fine but after a while the problem persisted, the sound would come in and out, the attendant told me it sounded fine and that I’m just playing incorrectly. Like in your example he played a couple chords and said it’s fine. Since it was on the cheaper side and I know some basic soldering I took a look and wouldn’t you know it some wires were frayed and in an attempt to repair it they just put some tape around it. I ended up just replacing the wires and it sounds better than when I got it.

Sir Animator

I get the same treatment I don’t know who or what you have to be to get good customer service at guitar center, they should be happy, Id love to work at a guitar store

Dust

It’s not because you’re a girl, it’s because you’re not a cool local celebrity. I’m not one either, so I know what it’s like.

Opuskrokus

I do get this at a GC that’s close to me. I haven’t seen any ladies work at this location recently either. It was actually my first job that I ever had as a kid, so it’s kinda sad getting treated super weirdly there these days. I actually made it a point to never visit this location ever again as of late and to go to either another GC location, or to some great local mom and pop shops nearby, because this crappy location always have rude staff where if I was browsing guitars and pulling them off the wall to look at it, another staff member would slam a mobile staircase next to me to grab a guitar; I had no idea why tf that kept happening and I started taking it personally, unfortunately, after this happening several times. I also went to pick up a package and had a hard time having someone assist me. When someone finally came to the front after having a conversation with another employee like a few ft away, they were pretty rude and seemed annoyed that I ordered something to get picked up from the back. While the guy took his time grabbing my equipment, a line formed behind me. After a moment of no one attending the register , another cashier finally came upfront to talk to people and was super rude to me and assumed I was just standing there since I wasn’t holding anything and was like “so… did you need something or something?” I told him I told the cashier I was there to pick up a purchase made online. The cashier who went to grab my package finally came out when I moved to let other people up to the cashier. I just grabbed my big ass box and made my merry way out after making sure we were all set. Fuuuuh that location. But luckily I’ve been treated well at other locations and other music stores . Just depends on the vibe I guess and if the store is full of douchebaggery.

BASTmaru

Find a better music store. Although to be honest, I had to go grab somebody to test out a guitar the last time I was in the states as well. It seems a lot of store employees can’t be bothered to make more than a minimum effort nowadays.

Bagledog

Some said that I need to go to small/local shops as they seem to care more about their customers and visitors:

That’s been my experience in most music stores I go to, and retail in general. I have found smaller mom and pop type stores are a bit more helpful, but usually don’t have much selection. Learning some of the language helps, like asking about a setup on the guitar, rather than asking for it to be checked out. Stick with it, and things will start coming together better.

Frizzle F.

Idk if this has been the type of shops you’ve already been too but I find that smaller independent music shops usually have owners that are overly eager to help which means you often end up wanting to come back, but whenever I’ve gone to a big name place, I too have felt a bit like its my job to find everything and know everything

Simon G.

Hmm…I can relate here friend. Definitely with the lack of enthusiasm to chat to customers about music or intruments…but, with mom and pop places/smaller local only stores have been a better experience.

Tru B.

Except for one person who was nice to me , my experience has always been negative in large music stores … The people are rude, seem to hate their jobs and I always feel like they don’t want me to buy anything there and leave… The smaller single owner stores are much different of course.

Davy B.

Depends on the shop, most larger chains, my experience is if you don’t know what you want or need, they aren’t where you need to be, because they honestly only care about their commissions, Also, different guitarists like different setups, I know some guys that play a very high action, and love it, personally at the 12th fret if the bottom of my strings is more than an eighth of an inch on the high side or right now the high side is .0625″ from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the strings. So, very low action. any lower it starts to buzz. any higher, and I have to work too hard at it.

What I’m saying is for that employee it may have been fine. however, we all have very different preferences. I’ve found smaller shops, they tend to care more, because it’s not so much about the commissions as it is about the love of the instrument. Back when I still lived in Maine, there was this one shop I loved, because if you were a bit hard up for cash, the owner would work with you, especially on setups and the like. I was a regular, and a couple times I asked if I could pay him half now and half on payday and he’d just tell me don’t worry about it and told me it was on him that time. He just loved musical gear.

Charles M.

There were those who actually preferred to be left alone while they visited:

I can explain a couple of reasons that happens. Most of us who’ve been playing for very long already know what we’re looking for, and many of us prefer the salesmen don’t bother us while we’re looking. Being that such musicians are almost always the salesperson in music stores, we tend to assume that if anyone needs help they’ll just ask and it’s respectful to leave people be until then. That’s the well intentioned.. The not so well intentioned though, are often just lazy fvcks who would’ve been fired long ago except they are the owners son’s friend, or a cousins son or daughter, etc. Or just a soon to be fired lazy fvck. lols But to be fair, at least in my experience as both a customer and for a very short time a salesperson, it’s usually the former, and just asking them a question will work.

Aylbdr M.

As a youngster I had similar experiences. Then all of a sudden the guitar center people started acting like vultures. I think the store had new training or something, and I find myself missing the days when the folks there ignored everybody.

Dizzy D.

I had an employee try to corner me in a practice room to give me his number so we could smoke pot together… I wish I could get ignored in a music store.

Kayla E.

But there were also a couple who seemed to have wonderful experiences, so not all hope is lost!

Went to a Long and McQuade up in Edmonton, the guy there was with us for over an hour and then picked up a 7 string ltd, never had a bad experience so far

Kai E.

I don’t know if it’s cause I’m a guy or because of my location the Seattle Tacoma area. I’ve been going into gc for over 20 years different locations and I can’t be in the store for more than a few minutes without someone asking me if I’m doing ok or need help. I feel like at for at least my local shop they would help anyone regardless of who they are but I dunno

sirkreuab

I used to play cello and now play guitar. That’s NEVER been my experience. Before we got a guitar center in my town, the people would watch you like a hawk ( I was a teen when I played cello, and in my early 20’s when I picked up guitar). They used to not want you to touch anything. Once guitar center came in, everyone became much more accepting of customers touching things but no they are typically head hunting for a sale.

IraqVet

Further Investigations

So, I decided to see if this topic has been covered elsewhere. I found a couple threads of people sharing their experiences in forums.

The guy above said he brought in his LTD Viper to be looked at. One worker said it can be fixed next day. He came back next day and spoke to another guy who said it would be done in a couple days. He left them his number and had yet to receive a call from them 4 days later.

Others replied also waiting a week, or even months for their repairs. One mentioned Long & Mcquade, saying it took 11 days to get their bass input jack fixed.

Another reply wrote “I know how you feel, The guys at my local music shop are complete dicks. They act like they are so much better than you, and one time the man running the register completely ignored me when I was buying a pack of strings. He kept his conversation going with someone else and did not even say thank you…”

I also checked out some ratings and reviews for music stores. Some had decent 4 or 5 star reviews, but there were some concerningly low ratings for others. The most concerning one was for Sam Ash Music Store. A lot of the complaints were about receiving defective items, not receiving their orders at all, and how impossible it was to get customer service regarding their orders, but there are a few who went into the store and also weren’t satisified with the service.

I walked in the store because I wanted to look at digital piano keyboards. No one acknowledged me so i walked around and found the room with keyboards in it. I looked at them and played them. Then i asked a guy at the counter if he could get me someone i could talk to. He called on the intercom. No one came. I went to this guy 3 times for help and he just said i am trying. I waited for half an hour then left the store! This was the absolute worst shopping experience I’ve ever had!

Bill Moses

We went to the store 4 weeks ago with an instrument to sell. They took pictures and they got my phone number. They told me they will call me back to give me the value of the instrument. They never call me back. After 2 weeks, i called them, they told me the same thing. They will call me back as they got an answer from the technician which never happen. I’m still waiting from them to call me. The worst company and customer service ever. I would not recomend them to anybody.

Julissa Castro

I went in with the full intent to buy a guitar and and lessons. I paid for a trial lesson and was told to be early. I was early and waiting and no one came. 10 minutes later someone came and long story short, my lesson was cut short because she had another student so I paid for nothing. I’m beyond annoyed because I wasted time and money. I was told I could purchase another trial lesson but, why would I after what just happened?”

syncere182000

This following thorough reply is about someone trying to get assistance finding an electric violin. They went in circles trying to find someone to help them, and the person who she was told to go to multiple times was no help at all. In the end, they got frustrated and walked away.

“Would give them one star but maybe different with a different Ash store. When I called on the phone they were cheerful and said they’d help me with electric violins and I could even try to play one. Not so much! B.S. Went I went there, the guy at the front desk smiled and sent me to guy at the back of the store.

There I asked this blonde guy, who looked sleepy. He just pointed across the room to a wall and said, “over there” and went back to whatever. He didn’t offer any help. I went where he pointed, but knowing nothing about electric violins, wasn’t sure where they were among the fifty or so instruments hanging on the walls. There was noone near to ask. So I went back to the blonde guy’s station but he wasn’t there anymore.

I looked for someone else, but when I asked another guy who worked at Sam Ash, he just said it “wasn’t my department”. Went back to the smiling guy at the front of the store. He said “I’ll get you someone”, then he motioned to a guy standing next to him. But that guy just shrugged when I asked and said, “it’s not my department, ask the blonde guy in the back”. I said that “the guy in the back’s not helpful.” He just shrugged again. I turned back to the smiling counter guy, but he also told me to go to the guy in the back of the store, except this time he wasn’t smiling. So, I went there again.

The blonde guy just pointed to the wall again. I told him that I knew nothing about electric violins. He shrugged and said, they’re “the one that looks like a box and the black one” and turned away. I went to the wall again and looked, but still knew nothing. I didn’t see a plug or anything (like I said, I know nothing about electric violins). I returned to him again and said I need help . He said “they’re violins, but louder”. I repeated that I knew nothing about them though I play some on a regular violin. I asked if you just plug them in. “You have to tune them,” he said, and turned away. I then asked if they sound different than ordinary violins. He said, “just louder”. Then I asked about plugging them in and if you have to adjust the sound. He said, “it depends on the amp”.

I didn’t understand. It was like pulling teeth. At last I asked if you needed to plug the instrument into a speaker or just in an electric outlet. He stared at me as if I was nuts. I left after that. Would not go back to that place. No help.”

mindgrin

As for another big music shop in Toronto, I noticed Steve’s Music Store had 3/5 stars on Yelp. That’s not bad at all, and there are definitely some positive reviews from fans of the shop. However, when it comes to negative reviews, they pretty much all centered around poor customer service and being ignored, treated like idiots, or just disliking the general attitude and snobbiness of the employees.

Terrible service, terrible staff.. Im never coming back again.. even if they were the last music store open in Toronto i wouldn’t even get a guitar pick from them. They should take some time off to see and learn how some other stores know how to treat their customers.

Felipe C.

Been there to get a slide to use with my acoustic guitar. The employee who supposed to help me find the one was very inpatient/rude. If you expect to get any help from people who work there: don’t.

Bruno S.

Never been in this store before. Usually go to Long & McQuade’s but we were passing by so I though “Why not?”. My friend was looking for a flute and asked someone near the entrance, behind the counter if they carried “flutes”. The guy repeated what he said but said “you want food?” in a condescending tone. My friend repeated himself and the guy finally got it. He pointed us to the back. I overheard him making various comments to others about what kind of food he had with him and laughing. We eventually found our way to the flute section but didn’t buy anything. On our way out, the guy was still making fun of my friend and his accent. Will definitely never return, will definitely tell others about our experience and will stick to going to Long & McQuade’s where they know about service!

Persepolis S.

Steve’s has a reputation as THE music store to go to, but I don’t get why. Every time I’ve been in there I’ve found the staff to be extremely surly and unhelpful. There is a large selection of instruments and music books, but they’re stacked on shelves so high that half of them are out of reach. Good luck getting a member of staff to get any down for you unless you’re absolutely committed to purchasing before browsing.

Rex K.

Went in with my bandmate to buy a patch cord for my bass this past winter. The dude at the counter was so rude and questioned us about it for a solid 5 minutes, asking various – extremely stupid – questions. All I needed was a short patch cable to hook up to an amp, I told him I needed the cheapest one, as I am in college and can’t afford something super expensive. Still grilled us and continued asking weird questions.

Super condescending. I roll my eyes whenever any of my friends mentions they have to stop by Steve’s for whatever reason.

Ashley H.

When I walked in a staff member was playing ukulele. Staff was not helpful at all simply pointed me to a section of the store after I described what I needed, then went back to playing the ukulele. When I got to the section there was no help there and I was very confused because everything looked similar. I went back to the previous staff member who simply pointed me to the section, barked that what I needed was there,s and went AC to his instrument as if he was rudely interrupted. Went to Long and McQuaid after and the staff was extremely helpful and helped me pick out the equipment. Would recommend that store to anyone. It’s 2016, i was going to a store looking for some help, if I knew exactly what I wanted I would have ordered it off of Amazon like a normal person. Post small business realize that in today’s age the thing the are selling is customer service and knowledge, Steve’s Music  does not realize this. Terrible customer service. Would never recommend that store. Only good thing about that store is the sign out front, it’s pretty cool, but don’t kid yourself the store is not.

Stephen K.

The employees here are all elitist snobby jerks. None of them even have good knowledge or skills in addition to being awful ppl incapable of basic customer service. Go to long and macquade. Much better. Only other jerks and narrowminded hack musicians and old guys dressed like tommy lee like steves music. The audio, electric guitar, and drum guys are especially obnoxious. The location, elitist rocker trendy ppl buying into steves, and faux punky hipstery style of decorum is sole reason theyre even still in business so they take anyone for granted.

B R.

I went here to buy a guitar stand for my friend since I was in the area. I looked around and couldn’t find it so I asked the service guy and he gave me an annoyed look and pointed up. He asked which one I wanted and I said the cheapest one and he got the stand I wanted. I didn’t know where to pay so when I asked he just pointed to the back without saying a word. Honestly, I’d rather go to Long & Mcquade. At least they don’t make me feel so dumb.

Maria L.

For the most part, the staff aren’t very friendly. The store does have a decent selection of guitars, but I couldn’t see myself making an expensive purchase in a store like this.

Dave A.

Considering its reputation, I had a hard time understanding what the big deal was. Staff were dismissive and hard to find. Very cluttered and I felt I was inconveniencing the employee to ask to demo a guitar. It was busy and is usually packed, I would rather go some place a little more professional feeling.

Ross G.

The next person hates Steve’s enough that he wishes they were out of business due to their staff’s attitude. 37 people agreed and marked the review as useful.

Shop at any of the other dozen music stores in Toronto. Or better, just shop online.

Unfortunately Steve’s hasn’t changed much over the years. Too many of their staff are caught up in the bratty, rock-star attitude to deign to actually give good, humble customer service.

One of the guitar techs couldn’t have been any less interested in helping me with my guitar setup, and when I went back to get him the ‘receptionist’ for the repair section refused to get him, saying he was ‘way too busy to talk to me.’ I was then forced to relay what I needed to talk to him about through the receptionist.

It strikes me that, given that just 3 minutes before I was talking to the guitar tech and he was completely uninterested in helping me at all, choosing instead to look at the ground when I spoke and generally act like a spoiled 14 year old, he was basically avoiding me entirely.

Oh, and that’s all after another guitar tech was so ‘turned off’ by one of my technical questions about setting up my guitar that he simply looked at me, made a sour face, and walked away. He’s just so busy and important, right? Sure is a tough job.

Called, complained to the manager. Got a very good response and I appreciate that.

But I won’t be back. Buy your gear online. This place doesn’t deserve to be in business, and we have a responsibility to put them out of business. So shop elsewhere and show them with your money.

Heck, maybe then the cadre of amateur rock stars they have working there would have more time to play on the big arena tours they’re obviously so surly about missing. After all, they’ve spent all their hard earned money on the clothes and toques to look the part.

Right, dudes?

Rian M.

This next person left a 3/5 review. He thinks the shop is great, but in his middle paragraph quoted below, he acknowledges that employees have been dickheads to others, and that it is ‘expected’, but should not be tolerated.

Pertaining to previous posts and complaints of employees working here behaving like d*ckheads, I definitely have witnessed that.  Unfortunately, it is expected at a place like this or any other trendy establishment in the Queen Street West area, but of course not to be tolerated as we of course expect the best and friendliest service possible and that’s why they only get 3 stars in my books 😀

Dave I.

After my experiences and reading about others, it does seem that not only ‘poor’ but ‘rude’ and ‘condescending’ customer service seems to be quite normal, but it really shouldn’t be.

Any store that strives to make sales and survive long term should treat their customers with kindness and respect, especially when not many people are picking up instruments in this day and age. Let’s not scare or discourage others from musicianship because they can’t get answers or assistance when they try to buy an instrument at the only places that sell official instruments.

Conclusion

All in all, based on my experience and the replies, the general experience at music stores seem to be negative. I wasn’t even seeking the bad replies, this just seems to be the norm.

I’ve read articles in the past about how music stores are struggling, how guitar sales are down, etc, so to me and many others, it makes no sense for employees to neglect possible customers. They don’t have to act like vultures, and I get that there are some regulars who come in to jam and never buy anything, but for others, it doesn’t help to say ‘hi’, ask if they are looking for anything, and to let them know you’re around if you need help.

Not everyone is a musician, and not everyone knows what they want or need. Some may be too scared to touch a pricey guitar without asking. A mom may be wanting to buy her son a saxophone, but she doesn’t know anything about it. One may not know they should buy these extra tools so they won’t have to come back in a few days. I can imagine many walking out because it’s intimidating and they don’t know what to do or what to buy.

I’ve shopped at so many different kinds of shops, and music stores is literally the only place where I feel like I don’t exist or that people don’t want to help me…and it sucks! I’m willing to spend and I’m not cheap at all. But that’s just how it is. I’ll definitely make the trip to some smaller shops if they survive the pandemic. It’s January 2022 and Toronto just had more restrictions placed due to Omicron. .

The point of this article is, if you’re new to instruments or to music stores, just know what to expect. If you do get the cold shoulder, you may not know what to think and end up taking it personally, but it’s a very common thing unfortunately.

You may find a lovely shop with employees who are knowledgeable and willing to help, or you may find a shop that is full of egos and the employees don’t care about making sales. Hopefully, you have a lovely experience. Stay positive and don’t let them discourage you.

And for some other regular music store visitors, feel free to continue the conversation and share your experiences below!