Thought I'd share some current events in my area that are tied to some
political personalities of recent history.

There has been a mom and pop type guitar shop operated by a friend of
mine that has operated in my immediate area for over 38 years. I
have purchased many guitars and related equipment from the owner over
the years, as have most players in the area. His shop and the one I
opened about four years ago are two of only about four in the south
shore area (south of Boston). His guitar shop and mine have not
really been competitors .... we had different markets entirely. His
was geared mostly to younger people, into loud, distortion filled
guitar sounds while mine has been geared towards "old farts", into
old school sound, acoustic guitars, and mostly in the higher end
category. We have regularly referred customers to each other when
one of us didn't carry or have items that customers were looking for
and have supported each other with gear we needed from time to time.

Anyway, about a year ago, "Guitar Center" opened a new store not far
from this 38+ year mom and pop shop. With their financial clout,
ability to discount prices to capture customers and very liberal
return policies, they quickly started to put the hurts to my friend's
shop. At GC, you can buy a guitar, beat the bananas out of it for up
to 30 days and return it for a full refund. They then put it back on
the wall hanger as "new" awaiting the next customer. Small shops can't
do that ... and wouldn't. A guitar used for 30 days is used. My
friend's long term customers would still visit but new potential
customers were drawn to the glitter of the new Guitar Center.

A few days ago the owner threw in the towel and announced the closing
of his shop on Facebook. Just couldn't compete with GC. Well, that
happens in business, as sad as it is, but then CG had to rub it in.
The manager of the new GC showed up at my friend's shop to take
pictures of his "store closing" signs. His tasteless activities
were noticed by many and there's a ground swell of anti-Guitar Center
sentiments growing in the past two days as evidenced by the customers
that visit my shop.

Harry will like this because Guitar Center is 100 percent owned by
Bains Capital .... the company that Mitt Romney founded. Funny
thing is, if you read the limited financial reports available
regarding Guitar Center, (it's a privately held company) the picture
doesn't look all that good or promising. They have some serious debt
and major suppliers like Fender, Gibson, Taylor and others are
becoming increasingly concerned since GC accounts for a major portion
of their sales and shipments.

BTW, for those not aware, "Musician's Friend" and "Guitar Center"
are one and the same. Musician's Friend is the on-line sales outlet
while Guitar Center operates the brick and mortar shops.

Support the little guys, please. It's where you get the service and
fair dealings.