Why Larry's Music Fired Fender.

jp_nyc said:
The problem with only selling used is that you have to make an effort to keep good used guitars in the store or you’re just another pawn shop. That means paying someone to drive around America buying gear and sending it back to be cleaned up for sale (at least that’s how the good used shops in NYC do it). It’s not like GC where the used gear is just there to bump up the overall margin.
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There is an awesome shop in MD, Atomic Guitars (well, I haven't been there in probably 10 years, but it is still going strong. They have moved locations since the last time I was there) and they only sell used gear. They are pretty cool and don't bend you over backwards when you trade in.
 
I have purchased from ATOMIC off of ebay a couple times. They have been great to deal with even when I called the store to ask them my 400 questions about the item.
 
Scott_Abene said:
I have purchased from ATOMIC off of ebay a couple times. They have been great to deal with even when I called the store to ask them my 400 questions about the item.
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Like I said, I haven't been there in years, but they are one of the top 2 guitar stores I have ever shopped in. Kelly's in Roanoke Va is right up there.
 
Lone Wolf Guitars here in Oklahoma City carries a few new pieces but is primarily known as a vintage guitar and amp dealer.
I think most of their comes in off amp repairs, though.
They carry Martin as I believe their only new brand but mostly trade in unique used items. That's the place I bought that turquoise Casino, so not all their used is necessarily vintage or expensive but you'll never find a Bullet Strat or an LP100 in there.
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
if i owned a music store, i wouldn't sell anything but used gear. it's amazing what people will sell for stupid low prices to a store when they just want to get rid of it.
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Me too. I really want to do it, but my wife ( the smart one) won't let me. :) buy your inventory from reverb/eBay/CL, then hire a tech to set them up and do repairs. Nice and simple.
 
Solid reasoning in a highly competitive market where independents have a choice. No countering from me. The guy made a confession about playing chicken with Fender and it proved to be a non-issue. Fender's warning shot with the custom order direct buying change is a prompt not to be taken lightly, either. This may play out to be a mutually advantageous parting of the ways. It should be interesting. I have a soft spot for both entities and want to see them both use whatever tactics that work in a sluggish economy. The guy did say they had a banner year with Fender sales, though, which was good to read from an economic slant.
 
I love my 90's Tele, but I bought it back then because I didn't know enough about smaller brands and I was concerned about resale. If they're able to keep used Fenders in stock, then it's probably good that they took a stand against corporate bullying.

I'll admit, if I walked into a guitar shop and they had a bunch of Washburns and no Fenders, I'd wonder about the general quality of their stock.
 
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