On 5/18/13 7:13 PM, Eisboch wrote:
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.





Too bad companies are not required to list their actual owners in their
advertising and on the entrance doors to their businesses.

A sign in Gold Leaf on the door that said, "Guitar Center, 100% Owned by
Bain Capital" might be the kiss of death for the operation.