EugeneSmasher
New member
If they approach you but you're not buying, I think it's OK to say "I'm just looking." Good salespeople would understand.
Guitar shops : Intimidated?
- Thread starter Razorback
- Start date
cold_static544
New member
not to blow anyone's trumpet here, but the best service i've gotten so far is the maestro shop at excelsior.
i think bad service at guitar shops can be due to a few reasons.
1. salespeople having the typical musician's "better-than-thou" attitude, or just egos bigger than it should be.
2. people coming in to try guitars treating it like its theirs, not taking care of it. or blasting it out loud from amps.
3.the typical singaporean (or asian) syndrome where quality of service is proportionate to money spent.
i've been in some shops overseas and locally where every customer is treated equally, and the quality of service is excellent.
and as a sidenote i realized yamaha dont frown on people trying out their guitars that much as in the past lol.
i think bad service at guitar shops can be due to a few reasons.
1. salespeople having the typical musician's "better-than-thou" attitude, or just egos bigger than it should be.
2. people coming in to try guitars treating it like its theirs, not taking care of it. or blasting it out loud from amps.
3.the typical singaporean (or asian) syndrome where quality of service is proportionate to money spent.
i've been in some shops overseas and locally where every customer is treated equally, and the quality of service is excellent.
and as a sidenote i realized yamaha dont frown on people trying out their guitars that much as in the past lol.
theliverevolution
New member
perhaps too many people are trying their guitars? Yamaha is quite a popular brand for most when it cmoes to musical instruments
(let's not start debates about their quality here...)
(let's not start debates about their quality here...)
EugeneSmasher
New member
Depends on the individual salesmen I'd think. I don't get any service from Plaza Singapura's Yamaha outlet unless I ask for it, but at Thomson Plaza's Yamaha outlet, the salesman approached me first. Also depends on the salesman's mood because we all have moods. I think it's quite unfair to judge a shop just because of a bad experience with just one of the staff and on one occasion.
theunknown
New member
agreed, though they are sometimes too nice that i feel obliged to buy something. lol. even more paiseh when they recognise me, after a long time, still havent buy anything.
Phil
New member
In my humble opinion, this is a two way thing.
It is well acknowledged that good shopkeepers will allow the customer to feel comfortable and welcomed. They also need to respect the privacy and personal space of the customer, and also have tact.
On the customer's side, he has to respect the shopkeeper and the shop policy too. Sometimes, certain customers will simply ignore the shopkeeper's friendly greeting. And will proceed to handle the instruments, despite multiple signs that inform one not to do as such without the staff's assistance. This makes things difficult for the shopkeeper, as the instruments are usually all displayed in tight spaces and the chances of knocking or ding-ing it is very high. If the customer dings it, they will be required to buy it. But no sane shopkeeper will enjoy that kind of situation, which can get very ugly very quickly.
So, offer respect and courtesy, and you will get respect, courtesy and good service in return.
Do not feel intimidated, you are a customer and the shop exists for you. You are valued.
It is well acknowledged that good shopkeepers will allow the customer to feel comfortable and welcomed. They also need to respect the privacy and personal space of the customer, and also have tact.
On the customer's side, he has to respect the shopkeeper and the shop policy too. Sometimes, certain customers will simply ignore the shopkeeper's friendly greeting. And will proceed to handle the instruments, despite multiple signs that inform one not to do as such without the staff's assistance. This makes things difficult for the shopkeeper, as the instruments are usually all displayed in tight spaces and the chances of knocking or ding-ing it is very high. If the customer dings it, they will be required to buy it. But no sane shopkeeper will enjoy that kind of situation, which can get very ugly very quickly.
So, offer respect and courtesy, and you will get respect, courtesy and good service in return.
Do not feel intimidated, you are a customer and the shop exists for you. You are valued.
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AEnimic
New member
Sometimes bosses are assholes. They want the worker to have some initiative and to tail the customer in case he/she wants to buy something. Can't blame the worker for that. Blame the supervisor.
paperprata
New member
^^ Phil, great points there.
And to the TS, there's no need to feel intimidated if you're not doing anything wrong.
Just walk in, smile at the staff, and do what you're there for!
-paperprataa
And to the TS, there's no need to feel intimidated if you're not doing anything wrong.
Just walk in, smile at the staff, and do what you're there for!
-paperprataa
doggieshaman
New member
ok have you guys ever worked retail before? those who have will know that the hours are long and you can only spend so much time people-watching and imagining things in your head in addition to the mundane things like stock taking and stuff.
of course bosses sometimes also ask you to go ask the customer and tend to his/her needs. and in my experience in ANY shop i'll just say, 'it's all right, i'm just looking around' and they don't bother you anymore. EXCEPT of course a certain old shop in peninsula that needs not be mentioned - there the eyes of the old tiger (and tigresses) use their amazing eye prowess to pressure you into getting either something, or out. so when i'm at that shop i usually already know what i want to get so i can spend the LEAST amount of time on it. not to mention the arrangement of the shop itself is so cramped it isnt really conducive for browsing or trying etc.
ok i digress. yeah basically, just relax, just know the shop attendants or owners need your patronage one way or another and as long as you're not there with the intention to create havoc, you have nothing to be afraid of.
of course bosses sometimes also ask you to go ask the customer and tend to his/her needs. and in my experience in ANY shop i'll just say, 'it's all right, i'm just looking around' and they don't bother you anymore. EXCEPT of course a certain old shop in peninsula that needs not be mentioned - there the eyes of the old tiger (and tigresses) use their amazing eye prowess to pressure you into getting either something, or out. so when i'm at that shop i usually already know what i want to get so i can spend the LEAST amount of time on it. not to mention the arrangement of the shop itself is so cramped it isnt really conducive for browsing or trying etc.
ok i digress. yeah basically, just relax, just know the shop attendants or owners need your patronage one way or another and as long as you're not there with the intention to create havoc, you have nothing to be afraid of.
Phil
New member
Paperprata,
Yeah you're totally right, a simple smile goes a very long way.
Anyway I think that any shopkeeper who's worth his salt will know that apperances can be most deceiving. I have seen guys who look like nerds in mismatched attires who can shred like Vai and PG combined. And sloppy uncles in muddy construction boots play the most intricate classical pieces, young kids with deep, deep pockets, intimidating, stern-faced mafia-like guys who turn out to be some of the most personable individuals I've met, etc.
Yeah you're totally right, a simple smile goes a very long way.
Anyway I think that any shopkeeper who's worth his salt will know that apperances can be most deceiving. I have seen guys who look like nerds in mismatched attires who can shred like Vai and PG combined. And sloppy uncles in muddy construction boots play the most intricate classical pieces, young kids with deep, deep pockets, intimidating, stern-faced mafia-like guys who turn out to be some of the most personable individuals I've met, etc.
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lester_music
New member
Intimidated?...when I was a small boy..yes...i think it is part of growing up....cause as a younger person..you would tend to be more self-conscious and worry about what people think of you...
I have gone thru these but as confident grows, it becomes the other way round....HAHAHA, means the shop get intimidated by you..cause they need to serve you......you are a customer.......
I have gone thru these but as confident grows, it becomes the other way round....HAHAHA, means the shop get intimidated by you..cause they need to serve you......you are a customer.......
I used to be intimidated too. Shy to try out this and that. Afraid that customers and shop owners/attendants would judge my playing. But, that was a form of motivation for me to get better though.
Whatever it is, you shouldn't be intimidated. Playing guitar is a learning process. We can get better day by day, never worse.
Whatever it is, you shouldn't be intimidated. Playing guitar is a learning process. We can get better day by day, never worse.
hifi_killer
New member
We tend to think that more people actually pay attention to us than it is the actual case. In social psychology , this is called the spotlight effect. Human beings are self-conscious so much so that they overestimate the attention they get.
The salesperson had probably heard alot of mediocre/great players on the guitars so much so that he wouldnt pay much attention or remember even if you played poorly/awesomely.
The salesperson had probably heard alot of mediocre/great players on the guitars so much so that he wouldnt pay much attention or remember even if you played poorly/awesomely.
theunknown
New member
i think its basic respect that when you test guitars, you really test them. you hear what they sound like in all pickups, clean n distorted, playability. you're not there to jam, not to show off your sweep picking technique. do what's necessary. you're not there to please anyone. that's what i learnt. was intimidated last time thinking "omg what should i play? later people think i noob!"
dioswkg
New member
True. Sales person always kena caught in the middle.
Follow customers, customers will not be happy.
Don't follow, boss will not be happy.
naviros
New member
Hahaha... In the end just don't be afraid... They aren't gonna do anything bad or evil to you (hmmm...) if you don't get anything.
I thought the guys at guitar shops were scary, so I used to email my questions before I go down to the actual shop itself. Its nice when you hop into the shop, and tell them you were the one who emailed about so and so, and they recognise you. It leads to faster transactions and better service that way anyway ^.^
I thought the guys at guitar shops were scary, so I used to email my questions before I go down to the actual shop itself. Its nice when you hop into the shop, and tell them you were the one who emailed about so and so, and they recognise you. It leads to faster transactions and better service that way anyway ^.^
recklessnick
New member
shopkeepers usually dont think of their customers differently because of the way they dress or how old they look. its usually in the customers' heads. low self-esteem perhaps?
EugeneSmasher
New member
My favourite place would be Swee Lee, actually. I like it 'in the middle'. I don't like being followed everywhere. In fact, at Swee Lee, I'm left alone until I ask for help, and when I do, they do so with a smile. That's my preferred kind of service. Salespeople not tailing but wandering around ready to help when asked.
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