The Horse gets an arm bitten off: How NOT to sell guitars!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220229)
Walnut Creek, California
July 29, 2019 7:22pm CST
So I'm having my car worked on today, and I bring my bike, so I can cruise around Concord CA while they're working on the car.
On a whim, I decide to cycle to this guitar store that's next door to where I used to help host an Open Mic (where people come and play two or three songs).
Upon entering the store, I'm greeted by an angry dog (one of those little dogs that yap a lot) and it proceeds to chew my right arm off.
I test out a banjo with my remaining hand, and realize that it's totally out of tune. I start to tune it up and the girl behind the counter, who has one of those "angry Lesbian" haircuts, says, "Let us tune it--you might break a string."
I say "Close enough for government work," and amble over to the guitars, none of which are anywhere good enough for me to consider buying.
I tune up a $299 Yamaha (ignoring the sign that says, "Please ask before playing") and bang out a riff that shows me to be way too good for this guitar store.
As I'm walking out, I want to say, "I might consider that Yamaha for one of my students--it's not that bad," but I bite my tongue.
I grab my severed arm and cycle back to the car place.
Have you ever been in a retail store that is totally uninviting? I'll make a point of NOT recommending that place for guitar students or beginner friends looking for a cheap guitar.
17 people like this
15 responses
@FourWalls (69004)
• United States
30 Jul 19
Did you go to a fabric store and have the arm sewn back on?
And yes, I’ve been in stores where the “atmosphere” was so toxic (from the employees’ attitude or other things) that I felt they should have a “hazmat suit required” sign on the door.
5 people like this
@FourWalls (69004)
• United States
30 Jul 19
@TheHorse — you’re gonna release the flying monkeys on them, aren’t you?
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Jul 19
@TheHorse It's a money laundering front...
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Jul 19
@TheHorse Sounds like the place I went to on Sunday... eventually a few people did come in, but I'll not be back.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
30 Jul 19
oh yea.we have a bunch here.
they like to remind you that things "are expensive,you know" while you are shopping.
i usually leave and never come back at that point.
arrogant workers..
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
1 Aug 19
@TheHorse um..i don't think so-but that's cool
i told the last lady that was rude to me "oh by the way..howard hughes dressed like a bum and was one of the richest men on earth at the time".
i think it may have gone over her head due to her age,but maybe she at least looked it up..
i told the last lady that was rude to me "oh by the way..howard hughes dressed like a bum and was one of the richest men on earth at the time".
i think it may have gone over her head due to her age,but maybe she at least looked it up..1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220229)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Jul 19
Heh, I like to dress very casually. Folks don't know whether I'm rich or poor, educated or inarticulate. Did I tell the story of the lady at the art studio/store in Tiburon who treated me with TOTAL respect, even though I was dressed in dirty shorts, a Target t-shirt, and old flip flops?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220229)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Aug 19
@scarlet_woman Howard Who? I bet she was too self-absorbed and stupid to look it up. The lady who was respectful of me in spite of my casual attire? I have since passed her information on to several softball buddies who have $5,000,000 homes in the Orinda hills and might be interested in some nice art for their expansive homes.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44721)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jul 19
I've been to stores where as you walk in you wanna run right of there...
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220229)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Jul 19
@lovebuglena John Prine, one of my favorite songwriters (ask @FourWalls), sings "Do you see strangers/as potential dangers/trying to steal/ your aimless love." I feel bad for anyone who gets caught up in that attitude.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (117141)
• Anniston, Alabama
30 Jul 19
That dog knew you were trouble when you walked in!
What the hell is a "angry lesbian haircut?!?!"
And yes, once I went into this store around Christmas to shop, I had an elderly lady with me, as soon as we walked in and went toward the boots, she wanted to buy for her son, combat boots, The owner followed us and told us not to steal the shoe strings (laces). We looked at each other and walked out. In the car I had this overwhelming urge to go back inside and steal them, the old lady would not go for the plan.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220229)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Jul 19
@andriaperry I wonder how long that place will survive.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
30 Jul 19
Was the mechanic at the car place able to do anything about your arm?
Yes, I have been in stores like the one you describe. Two indie bookstores I can think of right off the top of my head are run by ladies who think they are doing the customer a favor by being in business.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
30 Jul 19
@TheHorse Quite a while, actually. One caters to the affluent crowd that owns homes at the beach. If you don't look like money, she doesn't have time for you. The other is near a university and she is ultra-liberal. She's suspicious of you if you comb your hair and wear shoes.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50528)
• United States
30 Jul 19
I hate going into an unfriendly place. Poor Horse
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108144)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Jul 19
Glad you were able to retrieve your arm. I have been in a couple of stores that I wont go back too.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220229)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Jul 19
I can't believe they're still in business. If I charged them $100 to tune their frigging instruments, it would be a good deal for them. When you're running a "low end" store, customers have to hear "pretty chords" when they play, or they won't buy.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
30 Jul 19
yes sir. i don't stay long 'nough to feel the need to shower 'fterwards though.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
30 Jul 19
@TheHorse what the heck's a bart train?? the poor dear'd prolly not access to places to clean'p/do laundry.
see? ya stayed too long! glad ya washed that stink off.
@TheHorse (220229)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Jul 19
Stevie Coyle's elite guitar store in Lafayette CA is the exact opposite. The instruments are high quality and in tune. Stevie makes you comfortable playing. He will chat or just listen. He remembers names and introduces guitar players to each other. Your limbs are safe.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
30 Jul 19
Sometimes it's really awful the store and items there can be great but the service and workers are just horrible
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
30 Jul 19
@TheHorse
Yes, I have been in stores that I am sorry went in to in the first place. She should have done something about the dog when you walked in. That is no way to greet someone and especially if they may buy something. Sounds like a place that will go out of business.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (18987)
• Indonesia
30 Jul 19
I used to have a guitar. My friend would come over to play it. That place is certainly not managed well. It will soon lose its customers.
1 person likes this
