Galaxy Music Moving to Internet Only - Closing their Retail Store

[Ge0ff]

Sad news for those of us in north Georgia. First we lost Larrivee at Sam Ash and now Galaxy is moving to an on-line only sales model.

http://www.galaxymusicusa.com/



Geoff

[JOYCEfromNS]

Sad news for those of us in north Georgia. First we lost Larrivee at Sam Ash and now Galaxy is moving to an on-line only sales model.

http://www.galaxymusicusa.com/



Geoff

Welcome to my world. I gotta travel 1500miles to sample anything greater than 3 series Larrivee   

[Ge0ff]

Welcome to my world. I gotta travel 1500miles to sample anything greater than 3 series Larrivee   

YIKES...that's tough! We were really spoiled with a two large dealers within a couple of hours of home.  We'll miss 'em!

Geoff

[unclrob]

There's no real way to compete with free shipping,no sale's tax.Also less employee's which means less expense's.

[jamesb1101]

Free guitars would compete!!!

-James

Wishful thinking...

[Scuby]

Sad news for those of us in north Georgia. First we lost Larrivee at Sam Ash and now Galaxy is moving to an on-line only sales model.

http://www.galaxymusicusa.com/



Geoff

I used to sit in the demo room at their Stone Mountain store and try out the Larrivees - ended up with a D-03.  About the only places left to touch a guitar before buying around here (Marietta) are megastores and high end boutiques.  None of them carries a full line of Larrivees.

Lew

[Zohn]

Wow, some tasty prices on two glossy rosewood OM's there!

YIKES...that's tough! We were really spoiled with a two large dealers within a couple of hours of home.  We'll miss 'em!
Geoff

What's the problem?  I bought mine online from Africa... I love them to bits!!
To your defense, it is rather nice to be able to play them all first hand, and then buy the one you like.
I feel your pain Geoff.

[ffinke]

Sad, yes, but here's another observation. How many of us have played a guitar at a 'store-front' store and then ordered it from the internet because of price? I'm not saying used but that does come into play, too. Everything is about price these days and we forget about service. I'm just wondering when the internet is going to give superior service but I think I'll have a long wait.

Support your local merchant!


f

[Mikeymac]

Welcome to my world. I gotta travel 1500miles to sample anything greater than 3 series Larrivee   

Lefty players have to deal with this all the time...you have to order sight unseen, sound unheard, unplayed, etc.  Don't mean to whine, but it's very frustrating at times.

Sad, yes, but here's another observation. How many of us have played a guitar at a 'store-front' store and then ordered it from the internet because of price? I'm not saying used but that does come into play, too. Everything is about price these days and we forget about service. I'm just wondering when the internet is going to give superior service but I think I'll have a long wait.

Support your local merchant!

f

I agree with this post...which is why I paid the taxes (around $150) to buy locally when I got my RS-4 last month. My local dealer really does try to carry a decent selection of guitars (well, except for lefties), and I try to support them when I can. They've also graciously let me sell a number of things there on consignment.

[jpmist]

I just left there 30 minutes ago,  25 minute drive from Atlanta.

The owner (I think) spoke with me briefly after I offered my condolences and mentioned he had other business interests that kinda pushed the guitar store off his front page a bit. Didn't seem sad to close the doors after 20 years, but probably glad to save the rent and utilities. Too bad about the guys let go, if any.

As far as trying out guitars at the local storefront and buying on-line I can definitely relate. I've been wearing out the local big box trying every used Larrivee they get in with no intention of buying there unless they happen to mark down the one I decide on. I may yet actually buy the LSV I've been wearing out for the last 2 months from them. . .

Galaxy had a room full of new and mint Larrivee's. Probably will never see the like again. I'd never seen the L, SD and Parlors in the flesh before and the wide neck on the SD freaked me out a bit. I hate to mention, but I was a bit disturbed at some of the quality glitches I saw on some of the guitars. Nothing major, just a small snag here and there, but I made a mental note that buying one without a face to face, or approval period is probably not a good idea.

As far as guitar stores, I don't think it's either or. Trinity seems to have a thriving business with a web presence to offer as well as others. Just can't be a mom and pop storefront only in anything anymore. When's the last time you saw a non-chain coffee shop?

[jamesb1101]

Walmart is taking over, help!!!!!



-James

[Mikeymac]

Walmart is taking over, help!!!!!



-James

When did Wal-Mart start selling Larrivees?!

[Randy_R]

Too bad about Galaxy. Galaxy moved to the present location after I had stopped binge buying guitars a couple years ago, or I would have lived there. It'll be difficult not to slide over there and see what is in inventory, but I'm just not in a buying mood right now. There are still 2 smaller Larrivee dealers within 30 minutes of me. Ponce D'leon Music in Cumming, and Vintage Music here in Dahlonega.

[carruth]

The world is certainly changing very quickly.My pet hate is outsourcing,you know,those corporates who have call centres in places like India,or get their goods made offshore.We need a handy list of outsourcers so we can do our best to avoid these companies.It is no wonder the mom and pop shops are closing down.

[jwsamuel]

When's the last time you saw a non-chain coffee shop?

This morning.

Jim

[ffinke]

When did Wal-Mart start selling Larrivees?!

They would if they could get their price down far enough and turned the inventory 12x.

If you want a good Sam's Club (the other Wal-Mart) story talk to Jim Baggett at Mass St. Music in Lawrence, KS about his wife's unfortunate business dealings with them. There's a reason that town supports their local merchants.

f

[dermot]

This morning.
Jim

I work on a small island in the center of Vancouver with artisian shops, and no chain stores of any kind are allowed to set up here.. it's very popular, but no chain coffee shops ;-)


i talked to galaxy last month when they had a red sitka / madi OM10, and one thing i hope they do is get their website updated daily, they had guitars there that were not listed... how can we buy em if they hide em?

Nice folks, and some amazing instruments - i'm glad they are keeping their hand in the game.

d.

[JOYCEfromNS]

If all the Shops are moving to On-Line what incentive is there to the manufacturer to support them? That is why wouldn't the manufacturer just go on-line. Seems like a logical extension to me 

[jamesb1101]

Good question...hmmm

-James

[unclrob]

Some companies will not sell you if you don't have a store front.Some compamies won't let you sell new stock on ebay.Just think if this continues you'll never need to leave your house.
I use to have a rule of not doing repairs unless they were local jobs and I mainley stick to this unless there is no decent repair shop in your town or within a 50 mile radious.There is a store on the west coast of the US that I'm doing repairs for but he is just so tired of the crap service and the 6-8 weeks wait and paying out there price's.I still get to talk to the client he charges 15 percent over my retail plus the S+I there and back and he's still less money and the turnaround is 14-16 days.