What are your frustrations regarding music stores in the Philippines?

[guitarman8294]

Pag ung mga magagandang gears, guitars, accessories, bags, signature models, etc. its either walang stock or sobrang mahal ung patong sa price. kaya bihira lang ang may branded gears dito. customer service eh poor din

[guitarman8294]

@pualux

kaya pala lolz  

@boosted

lol. kailangan ko pala mag aral ng speed licks para sulit ang 5 mins hehe

hahahaha speed licks mag ttest ka lang ng guitar.... your timer starts the moment na the tip of your finger touches the guitar.. dapat ala michael angelo batio ka nyan.... 

[guitarman8294]

eto sobrang nakaka inis..

Audiophile ortigas (thru phone)

me: may stock po ba kayo ng tl2?.. hardwire tl2 po
him: ano po?
me: HARDWIRE TEE ELL TOOOO Metal distortion po
him: ah teka lang ho sir..

after a few minutes...

him: meron sir nag iisa nalang ho.
me: kukunin ko na pupunta na ako jan ngayon mismo.
him: o cge ho sir antayin ko kayo.

pag dating ko kinuha nya kagad yung item tapos na se set-up na sya for sound test, tapos napansin ko iba yung kulay ng pedal.

me: kuya, tl2 ba yan?
him: oo(habang nag aayos ng cables)
me: bat iba kulay?
him: ay hindi ba eto un?...
me: 
him ay CM2 tube overdrive pala
me: ha? [nag titimpi, nawala ang excitement, nasayang oras, nasayang bayad sa taxi]
him: hindi yata tayo nag ka intindihan...
me:          

galing pa naman ako ng north fairview nun, bayad ko sa taxi 260. hindi man lang sya humingi ng dispensa zzzz

men malapit lang ako jan.. pag inquire talagang ganyan mga salesmen/women jan...
minsan  nakaka intimidate, parang ginto ung mga items nila... nakakatakot hawakan baka bayaran mo agad.....

[RedWinG]

experience ko sa Music Source sa Alimall Cubao.

Me: (seeing the Ernie Ball super slinky)- brad, may regular Slinky ba kayo nyan?
Staff: Sir, mahal po yan. Kung gusto nyo etong brand na ito mas mura, blah, blah, blah.
Me: brad, kung may Ernie Ball Regular Slinky. Kung wala D'Addario na lang na .10 gauge.
Staff: (tanong sa katabi nyang staff) "meron ba tayong iba nito? [pointing at the pink ernie ball package, other staff shrugged her shoulder.]  ay sir eto lang mga mura natin.
Me: So walang Ernie Ball D'Addario wala rin? bibilhin ko 2 pack.
Staff: Sir, by pack po binibili yan. Mahal po yan at hindi tinitingi. Kung gusto nyo tingin po kayo sa kabilang store [pointing to the direction of Audiophile].

sa tingin ko, wala talagang interes na bentahan ako ng lokong staff na yun e. naasar na lang ako at lumipat sa Lazer store. buti pa dun maasikaso yung staff kahit patanong-tanong lang ako. kahit paano pinapahawak sa aking yung gear.

[shodawmoon]

experience ko sa Music Source sa Alimall Cubao.

Me: (seeing the Ernie Ball super slinky)- brad, may regular Slinky ba kayo nyan?
Staff: Sir, mahal po yan. Kung gusto nyo etong brand na ito mas mura, blah, blah, blah.
Me: brad, kung may Ernie Ball Regular Slinky. Kung wala D'Addario na lang na .10 gauge.
Staff: (tanong sa katabi nyang staff) "meron ba tayong iba nito? [pointing at the pink ernie ball package, other staff shrugged her shoulder.]  ay sir eto lang mga mura natin.
Me: So walang Ernie Ball D'Addario wala rin? bibilhin ko 2 pack.
Staff: Sir, by pack po binibili yan. Mahal po yan at hindi tinitingi. Kung gusto nyo tingin po kayo sa kabilang store [pointing to the direction of Audiophile].

sa tingin ko, wala talagang interes na bentahan ako ng lokong staff na yun e. naasar na lang ako at lumipat sa Lazer store. buti pa dun maasikaso yung staff kahit patanong-tanong lang ako. kahit paano pinapahawak sa aking yung gear.

hmmm....interesting...ano itsura nung staff na nakausap mo?

[shodawmoon]

AVAILABILITY OF PARTS and ACCESSORIES

EDIT  just wanna share an experience...

I had a frustrating experience with one old lady in Lyric Cubao a couple of years ago. She seemed like a "higher ups" type staff at the

store..but I'm not sure. may asta kasi. I think she ain't there anymore though.

I was looking at this mint green vintage looking tape echo/delay pedal, i was really curious about it so I asked the lady if I can test it out.

She said something like "ay sir, matetest niyo lang po yan pag bibilhin niyo na. bibilhin niyo po ba?" with a very assertive tone.

Thinking to myself...

"Ok....so how am i supposed to decide if I'm gonna buy it or not if don't even know how it sounds or reacts to my playing?"

so I just dropped the topic..and left..

Bibili ka ba ng kotse na hindi mo pa natetest-drive? unless of course it's a toycar. lol

[RedWinG]

hmmm....interesting...ano itsura nung staff na nakausap mo?

Di ko na nahitsurahan, sir. pero payat na lalake na maputi. impression ko eh ganun yata culture nila dun. parang pinapaalis ka sa store nila. one time kasi naghahanap ako ng washburn guitar sa kanila eh kung saan ako pinagtuturo.

[cayle]

Di ko na nahitsurahan, sir. pero payat na lalake na maputi. impression ko eh ganun yata culture nila dun. parang pinapaalis ka sa store nila. one time kasi naghahanap ako ng washburn guitar sa kanila eh kung saan ako pinagtuturo.

They don't carry Washburn so natural lang siguro na ituro nila kung saan man mayroon nun. 

[RedWinG]

They don't carry Washburn so natural lang siguro na ituro nila kung saan man mayroon nun. 

i dunno, i guess meron yata sila X-series back in 2009.

kahit nung tinatanong ko yung Artec peds nila dati eh parang wala silang interes na sabihin man lang kung okay ba sya or whatever. i was looking for cheaper pedals back then and one of the forumites here told me about Artec peds  which incidentally meron sila. anyway, it's just a few experience when browsing through the music stores in cubao. Lazer music so far are accommodating. sa Audiophile, parang ayaw ka man lang kausapin. I was really interested in one of their ibanez RG's eh. anyway, i met a few people here who has their own "underground" guitar shops and sellers. pwede pa itest kahit gaano katagal. hooray for philmusic! 

[jbarot]

not enough pretty sales ladies.  para at least pwedeng magpa-cute kasi di naman bibili hehehehe

seriuosly, its because of the reasons you all have stated that i don't bother going to music stores.  even when i lived outside PI where the choices are mind boggling.  kung sale lang ang brand ng strings ko then you'll find me walk in and walk out without looking around. too loud anyway. di naman ako bibili, so why torture myself coveting stuff i can't afford? besides i think i'm happy with my gear.

i suppose that until things turn around for the pinoy musician the best thing we could do is to quote teddy roosevelt (or i think it was him): "make the best of what you have wherever you are"

thats why i admire african musicians.  unfortunately most of them are dirt poor but somehow manage to make great music with gear that would be regarded as junk to us.  i look up to them whenever i feel crappy with my gear hehehe

but i do wish local stores here carry more music books and music sheets...

[shodawmoon]

Di ko na nahitsurahan, sir. pero payat na lalake na maputi. impression ko eh ganun yata culture nila dun. parang pinapaalis ka sa store nila. one time kasi naghahanap ako ng washburn guitar sa kanila eh kung saan ako pinagtuturo.

hmmmm......this is weird kasi hindi ganoon ang impression ko sa kanila eh...and wala sila ng lahat ng sinabi mong brands (ernie ball and/or washburn) AFAIK...kaya talaga "kung ano ano pinagtuturo nila" since they don't carry those brands...baka naman nagrerecommend lang ng alternative from how I'm interpreting what you're saying. not that I'm protecting or covering up for them. It's just that OPPOSITE ang experience ko with them.

[negativeview]

Had a friend who was trying to get a defective stomp and keyboard (Which he bought abroad a long time ago) fixed here.

That local store / customer service sold those exact models and they said it was a simple fix but they wouldn't do it because according to their policy they will only do it for products locally purchased.

 ... whuuuyyy? So how does one get stuff repaired? (Besides from exterior skilled people ala mahavishu and yahoo, what about those people who don't know this site / they exist?)

[teleclem]

Had a friend who was trying to get a defective stomp and keyboard (Which he bought abroad a long time ago) fixed here.

That local store / customer service sold those exact models and they said it was a simple fix but they wouldn't do it because according to their policy they will only do it for products locally purchased.

 ... whuuuyyy? So how does one get stuff repaired? (Besides from exterior skilled people ala mahavishu and yahoo, what about those people who don't know this site / they exist?)

this is pretty frustrating nga. Kahit sabihin mong you'll pay for the repair, parts, etc.

[kimhags]

nadagdagan na naman frustration ko. when you ask them if that certain product is authentic they say it is when it's a fake pala. i almost bought an epiphone les paul custom na fake and i thought it was the real thing.

[music_adik_to]

share ko lang experience ko sa Perfect Pitch sa Mega... nito lang November 13... Me kameet ako dun sa Mega na Forumite din kasi me Bibilhin akong item sa kanya... habang nag aantay ako at papunta palang naman yung ka meet ko pumasok muna ako sa Perfect Pitch...

Yung Staff na lalaki dun na poging mapute ok naman ang treatment binigyan ako ng upuan at Pinasaksak ako sa JC120 at tinest ko yung US strat... pagkatapus kong matest yung clean tone na walang chorus... try ko naman yung may chorus... medyo napa sarap na ako kasi ganda ng tunog eh pero di naman ako ganun katagal mga 3 minutes palang...

Aba nung tetest ko na yung chorus nung amp... Biglang lumapit yung Guard at sinabihan ako ng sir 5 minutes lang...

Reaction ko... HA?!@#@

ewan ko kung sinenyasan sya ng staff or ewan...

Grabe na talaga dito sa pilipinas...

[bluefist]

share ko lang experience ko sa Perfect Pitch sa Mega... nito lang November 13... Me kameet ako dun sa Mega na Forumite din kasi me Bibilhin akong item sa kanya... habang nag aantay ako at papunta palang naman yung ka meet ko pumasok muna ako sa Perfect Pitch...

Yung Staff na lalaki dun na poging mapute ok naman ang treatment binigyan ako ng upuan at Pinasaksak ako sa JC120 at tinest ko yung US strat... pagkatapus kong matest yung clean tone na walang chorus... try ko naman yung may chorus... medyo napa sarap na ako kasi ganda ng tunog eh pero di naman ako ganun katagal mga 3 minutes palang...

Aba nung tetest ko na yung chorus nung amp... Biglang lumapit yung Guard at sinabihan ako ng sir 5 minutes lang...

Reaction ko... HA?!@#@

ewan ko kung sinenyasan sya ng staff or ewan...

Grabe na talaga dito sa pilipinas...

hahay, kakalungkot dito sa atin...di tulad sa ibang bansa na you have the luxury of testing all the gears you want to test na walang limit sa oras...

saka very accomodating mga staff nila don...like when im in germany...i tested an electric guitar there...medyo napasarap sa pagtest, yong staff nila tuwang tuwa...they will appreciate pa yong pagtest mo ng guitars nila...

[mikki_blinkme]

share ko lang experience ko sa Perfect Pitch sa Mega... nito lang November 13... Me kameet ako dun sa Mega na Forumite din kasi me Bibilhin akong item sa kanya... habang nag aantay ako at papunta palang naman yung ka meet ko pumasok muna ako sa Perfect Pitch...

Yung Staff na lalaki dun na poging mapute ok naman ang treatment binigyan ako ng upuan at Pinasaksak ako sa JC120 at tinest ko yung US strat... pagkatapus kong matest yung clean tone na walang chorus... try ko naman yung may chorus... medyo napa sarap na ako kasi ganda ng tunog eh pero di naman ako ganun katagal mga 3 minutes palang...

Aba nung tetest ko na yung chorus nung amp... Biglang lumapit yung Guard at sinabihan ako ng sir 5 minutes lang...

Reaction ko... HA?!@#@

ewan ko kung sinenyasan sya ng staff or ewan...

Grabe na talaga dito sa pilipinas...

  ako naman sige lang lagi silip. kilala na ako sa mga music stores na "patingin tingin di naman makabile" hahaha! di ko na pinapansin kung anong reaksyon nila. sabay bibili lang ng pick.  minsan tanong kung may stock sila na ganito ganyan. kung out of stock pinapatingin ako sa price list nila na naka bookbind. sa audiophile pa yun sa festi. ambait ata sakin that time. 

[magtataho7]

IMO limited ang choices sa atin, anghirap makakita ng mga items na otherwise available sa ibang bansa ex.pickups, tapos lagi na lang walang stock, hehehe

[maxi_musikero]

That local store / customer service sold those exact models and they said it was a simple fix but they wouldn't do it because according to their policy they will only do it for products locally purchased.

i think this is designed to discourage purchases of items thru other means (i.e., foreign shippers, etc.).  but they should accept repairs and just charge repair cost.

but i think bringing your stuff to the local electronics experts here will be better because most of the time they charge less.

[maxi_musikero]

hahay, kakalungkot dito sa atin...di tulad sa ibang bansa na you have the luxury of testing all the gears you want to test na walang limit sa oras...

saka very accomodating mga staff nila don...like when im in germany...i tested an electric guitar there...medyo napasarap sa pagtest, yong staff nila tuwang tuwa...they will appreciate pa yong pagtest mo ng guitars nila...

it's because we can only afford to purchase a small number of "luxury" items including those that are for display.  this makes the cost of wear and tear so high if you let these "luxury" items be tested without being purchased.  unlike in the other countries, they can afford to have their high-end gear tested because they have plenty in their storeroom.  

[guitarman8294]

share ko lang experience ko sa Perfect Pitch sa Mega... nito lang November 13... Me kameet ako dun sa Mega na Forumite din kasi me Bibilhin akong item sa kanya... habang nag aantay ako at papunta palang naman yung ka meet ko pumasok muna ako sa Perfect Pitch...

Yung Staff na lalaki dun na poging mapute ok naman ang treatment binigyan ako ng upuan at Pinasaksak ako sa JC120 at tinest ko yung US strat... pagkatapus kong matest yung clean tone na walang chorus... try ko naman yung may chorus... medyo napa sarap na ako kasi ganda ng tunog eh pero di naman ako ganun katagal mga 3 minutes palang...

Aba nung tetest ko na yung chorus nung amp... Biglang lumapit yung Guard at sinabihan ako ng sir 5 minutes lang...

Reaction ko... HA?!@#@

ewan ko kung sinenyasan sya ng staff or ewan...

Grabe na talaga dito sa pilipinas...

Kailangan ata shredder pag nag ttest... ung tipong MAB pag hawak ng gitara... panu kung di ka naman ganun?? haaayyy

[r_chino18]

i think this is designed to discourage purchases of items thru other means (i.e., foreign shippers, etc.).  but they should accept repairs and just charge repair cost.

but i think bringing your stuff to the local electronics experts here will be better because most of the time they charge less.

+1

Siguro din ay recorded through serial numbers ang bawat item na binebenta ng store. So pag pinagawa mo dun sa store yung item na hindi mo binili sa kanila, although dala nila yung brand, and something wrong happens na hindi sinasadya, sila ang malalagot. Baka hindi nila mailakad sa company kasi hindi naman sa kanila galing yung item.

[kurtseth]

ako naman last week dapat bibili ako ng cables sa perfect pitch.
siguro mga 5 mins na akong nakatayp dun sa may cables section
ung dude na supposedly magaassist nakikipag usap lang sa cellphone

nakatingin na nga ako sakanya..wala parin

tapos ung lady sa counter nakatingin lang sakin walang nagaassist >_<

i stormed out of there and decided to save up for lava cables nalang

[maxi_musikero]

ako naman last week dapat bibili ako ng cables sa perfect pitch.
siguro mga 5 mins na akong nakatayp dun sa may cables section
ung dude na supposedly magaassist nakikipag usap lang sa cellphone

nakatingin na nga ako sakanya..wala parin

tapos ung lady sa counter nakatingin lang sakin walang nagaassist >_<

now this IS frustrating.

i stormed out of there and decided to save up for lava cables nalang

someone will be very happy. 

[maxi_musikero]

IMO limited ang choices sa atin, anghirap makakita ng mga items na otherwise available sa ibang bansa ex.pickups, tapos lagi na lang walang stock, hehehe

repeat posting? 

IMO limited ang choices sa atin, anghirap makakita ng mga items na otherwise available sa ibang bansa ex.pickups, tapos lagi na lang walang stock, hehehe