What makes a successful music store/shop?

[docbop]

Customer Service is number ONE when you have to complete against the chains and internet. Then you need something to get people in on a regular basis so lessons, in-store concerts/seminars, knowledgeable staff. The other stuff are all things to help draw people in, but if a cool place to hang out and you do the best you can on prices you'll make a living and have a good time.

[Doctor Jeff]

Where I live we are about to have a lesson in survival of the fittest because a new Guitar Center just opened up in West Omaha with one of the biggest selections of instruments I have seen in a long time. I went to the grand opening, the place was jam-packed with mostly scraggly kids, and a few old relics like me.

It was loud and crowded and not my cup of tea. As usual, they had a good selection of cheap guitars and solidbodies of all prices, not so many archtops. (I didn't notice any Gibsons there...hmmm...) They were heavily promoting their lessons and rentable rehearsal rooms.

We have a fair collection of other music stores in town that run the gamut, none great in my opinion, but it will be interesting to see how they respond.

[docbop]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

We have a fair collection of other music stores in town that run the gamut, none great in my opinion, but it will be interesting to see how they respond.

If they are wise they will co-op with each other to buy in quantity so they can compete. A old buddy of mine had a music store and by co-op'ing with a few other store could place orders big enough to get discounts that helped them stay competitive against the local GC.