ilovefuzz.com

I briefly owned a MIM tele from Amazon (i had a giftcard, so whatevs), and it showed up with the pickguard warped, a cracked neck joint, and razor sharp frets. The guitar was a demon. Made me think of how buying from an actual music retailer may be worth considering.
Are all online retailers the same in the end?

As much as buying sight unseen sucks. Guitar Center and Sweetwater because they have legit return policies.

Seems like big box stores that sell online maybe pick the ones that won't sell as well in store and stick them online because of issues, at least thats the impression I got after two guitars I bought from vendors (one was Sam Ash and I forget the other) through Amazon came with twisted necks and some other issues. I guess it's always a gamble though, definitely read the return policy. When I contacted to return one of the twisted neck guitars, I learned I'd be subject to a hefty restocking fee because the box had been slightly damaged on opening.
last place I bought from online was a place called Riffcity Guitars. That went well, bought a Reverend from them that came well set up. Some of the vendors on Reverb seem to be bait and switch operations, it seemed that Proaudiostar tried that on me with a Gretsch.

For the big box retailers, Sweetwater and Guitar Center have both treated me really well.

i've bought guitars from musicians friend, american musical supply, sweetwater, and daves guitars. i've returned a couple, no problems. the ones i kept were fine. i usually only buy special edition guitars online, as they are in limited supply.

a few years back, i tried to buy a special run rickenbacker from wildwood. after i bought it, they contacted me a few days later informing me that the neck wasn't right and were sending it back to Rickenbacker and refunding my payment. a short time later, a guy on a rickenbacker forum posted pictures of his new rick--the very one i tried to buy (i know because he registered the serial number on the forum--the same as the one on my invoice). i avoid wildwood as a result.

Sweetwater is the best in terms of hands on, but I've had zero issues with GC/MF/AMS/Zzounds.

The latter two win out these days because of the payment plans typically, I can't say no to a hundred bucks a month without dinging up my very limited credit.

Sweetwater and Chicago Music Exchange have treated me well.
Though, if you don't want a random phone call once a month to ask how your guitar is, don't use Sweetwater.

Pro tip: tell Sweetwater when you buy it no calls.

Sweetwater was awesome to deal with when I got my jaguar, and they weren't overbearing with calls at the time. This was in 2011 tho. There was a delay because of Fender, and they kept me updated on that, and then called once after I finally got it and then left me alone. I haven't bought new/major brands much since then tho, so I dunno how they are now.

Swordfishtrombone wrote:Sweetwater was awesome to deal with when I got my jaguar, and they weren't overbearing with calls at the time. This was in 2011 tho. There was a delay because of Fender, and they kept me updated on that, and then called once after I finally got it and then left me alone. I haven't bought new/major brands much since then tho, so I dunno how they are now.

Sweetwater calls me over pick and string orders.

Tell your rep no, and you won't get said calls.

I haven't gotten one in several years.

I really like Sweetwater. Just got a Bass VI from them on Cyber Monday and it arrived in perfect playing order.

TBH I wouldn't buy anything that's dicks to ship from an online dealer. With Sweetwater anyway, you have to pay the return shipping out of pocket for anything that had free shipping to you. Learned that the hard way from having to ship back an amp I hated.

rfurtkamp wrote:Tell your rep no, and you won't get said calls.

I haven't gotten one in several years.

Well it usually works out that I'm not around to pickup the phone when they do call. So I haven't had the chance.