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Comment by franksvalli | Hacker News Reader

The Amazon effect, which I am guilty of supporting. I walked into a Guitar Center earlier this year and tried out some of their cheaper nylon acoustic models, but wanted to splurge on a big higher quality model, none of which they had in-store. They said they'd have to custom-order it. At that point it was easier just to order from Amazon and deliver to my address... which I did (ended up being shipped from a store in Chicago which listed on Amazon).

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I'm a Fender electric guitar guy (Telecasters, Stratocasters, Jazzmasters, Jaguars). Fender has really ramped up their mail order and online business plus customer service. So why should I go into GC where the available model choices are slim, or they have floor models that have been flogged to death with 'Stairway to Heaven' when I can order exactly what I want right off the production line at Fender and get it delivered to my door and can return it if there's any issues?

I love strats, but you have to play 15 new ones to find a good one in a music store, buying mail order is pretty hit or miss. same with wood on a coarser level - I had to sort through a lot of lumber at our local yard to find the straight pieces with no blemishes, bits missing etc.

you'd think musical instruments above all else would be a key retail buy, it's amazing how badly GC missed the target on this. 'Tryable' retail stock levels are hitting a point of no return in multiple market segments right now, ugly situation

That's right, nothing can replace trying the guitars in the store, aka "showrooming." You have to sort through a lot of Strats to find the right one.

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