If something has you
stumped about your musical equipment, or maybe you just need
a second opinion, click on the question button below, and
we'll give you our best answer, usually within 24
hours! Good
questions to ask :) About
the operation and maintenance of your equipment,
history, how to connect things, how to get the best
sounds, how to get service, how to find
instruction. Questions
to not ask :( "How
much is my stuff worth?", "Will you buy my stuff?",
"How much should I pay for a pink
Tele?". Note:
We can help you with a generalized value of your
equipment, but without seeing it, we cannot quote
you an accurate appraisal. Any assistance we offer
you in terms of buying and selling musical
equipment is to be considered "averaged
information" and not to be specific about your
piece of equipment. Click
this button to send us your
questions!
Got questions about your musical instruments? Are you
trying to locate, identify, repair, maybe learn to play? We
have been answering questions and solving musical problems
for years!
Click on any topic to view the full question and answer!
Is it cheaper to buy mail-order?
Q. Is it cheaper to buy a musical instrument through a mail-order catalog?
A. Never take it for granted that mail-order is cheaper! Catalogs and websites are great for product information, and they (we) serve a wonderful service for customers who don't have access to a hands-on music store. However, if you're fortunate enough to have a well-stocked music shop within your traveling ability, don't ignore what their strengths are! You can't beat being able to walk in, talk to a knowledgable salesperson, (who's probably a musician just like you) try before you buy, and most important of all, having someone nearby who can take care of you when you have operation questions, or when you're in need of a repair. Try getting a loaner on Friday night at 5:00 from some guy on the phone who's 2,000 miles away! As far as price goes, at Play It Again Sam, we're a small shop in a small state, but most of our prices are at, near, or even below mail-order catalogs. We'll match any currently published catalog price from anywhere, and chances are your local store might, too. Go in and talk to them. Tell'em Sam sent'cha.
A. Why aren't songs available in sheet music or books as soon as the CD or tape comes out?
A. Unless the artist is a major money-maker who's on the charts at the moment, publishers will wait and monitor how well the album sells before taking a chance on printing the music. This process can take months, and many songs are never available in print. Other holdups that may occur include the artist having to approve the transcriptions, and sometimes even the cover art and photos.
Q. Just checking prices. A friend told me you can get great prices by shopping over the net. In this case, my local store "XYZ Music" has that model in their store listed for $329. I am deciding on the Epiphone, or a Yamaha #F6X412c which they have for $454.
A. You can get great prices on the net, and right at home from your own local store as well. If you spend enough time searching, you'll always find a better price on anything anywhere, but if you've got a well-stocked, good service music store within easy access, offering you fair prices on good products, why look any farther? They're doing it for you!
We're also a downtown USA music store. We've just gotten a little technical with our advertising, and we provide a pretty convenient service for musicians that don't have a nearby music shop to haunt. The web is really just a huge catalog, or encyclopedia, or whatever you need it to be. It's always good to be informed, just to keep everyone honest, but it sounds like you're being well taken care of right at home. You may find sites that will claim to "beat anyone's price" just like the magazine and radio ads. Go with your gut. It's hard to replace being able to walk into a store and try'em before you buy'em.
Tell them some crazy guy on the Internet told you to go downtown and support your local music store.
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Play It Again Sam....66 Main St....Montpelier VT 05602....Phone (802) 229-0295....Fax (802) 229-0755
Copyright © 1998, 1999 Stable Management Corporation...All Rights Reserved