Where to Buy?

The world of musical instruments for the non-initiated can be a daunting affair. But it’s really like any other area where the customer needs expert advice, whether that is hardware, or IT or home entertainment – it’s hard to be an expert on everything. Go to someone who knows their products – like a local Music Retail Store.

When buying new instruments today’s consumer is faced with numbers of considerations. After you have settled on a specific type and grade of instrument, you will want to begin researching those resources able to provide you with your instrument.

Your choices will be limited essentially to two purchasing venues, those being through a physical brick-and-mortar retail music store, or through the online channel.  Both are legit, but there are some important things to consider.

Many AMA retail member bricks n mortar stores, have an online sales facility for an added purchase option offering you convenience and the ability to research what’s available locally prior to shopping.  The immediate advantage to you when dealing with a brick-and-mortar business is that you will be able to visit the showroom, ask questions from a real person, and actually see, hold, and test your prospective instrument. In the case of an internet transaction, you will have to handle your negotiations totally by way of email or telephone.

If you were to deal with a local business, you would be able to take advantage of your service and warranty needs more easily, thus avoiding the shipping and handling expenses when maintenance or repair is required. Remember, you WILL eventually require maintenance and repair, and a brick-and-mortar business is more likely to have a resident service department; internet businesses usually do not. Additionally, with a local business, you would be able to take advantage of the store’s technical staff and other unique services when the need presents itself.

If dealing with a stand-alone internet business, particularly those based outside of Australia, these services would be difficult, if not impossible, to secure when dealing with an often distant internet business. Once they have your money and they have shipped you the instrument, it is unlikely they will ever have to deal with you again. This is, after all, one of the reasons why they are able to offer you rock-bottom discount prices.

It is not the only reason prices are cheaper online particularly when buying overseas. Most internet sites are US based and that country pays cheaper wages, rents, taxes and is a market over ten times the size of Australia. And that’s before the unjust law that forgives GST for imports under $1,000. Our government gives a free 10% kick to giant international internet companies!

Finally, internet sites are unable to enforce the levels of quality-control over the products they sell that is routinely provided at brick-and-mortar retail music stores

Remember local retailers (both online and bricks n mortar employ Australians – and most of these are musicians too!

Get the Right Advice

Members of the Australian Music Association are among the nation’s most professional and service oriented businesses in the country. Our industry educates widely also. Our members have relationships with all manner of instrument experts and technicians, music educators, schools and the music community generally.

The majority of Retailers and Wholesalers provide a great deal of resources online, both in relation to product information and where and how to buy. Bricks m’ Mortar retailers in Australia often have good online sites.

The immediate advantage to you when dealing with a brick-and-mortar business is that you will be able to visit their showroom, get expert advice, and see, hold, and test your instrument. In the case of an internet transaction, you will have to handle your negotiations totally by way of email or telephone. (see section Buying Safely Online).

By building a relationship with your local music store you can get involved in the music community.

If you were to deal with a local business, you would be able to take advantage of your service and warranty needs more easily, and avoid the shipping and handling expenses when maintenance or repair is required. Remember, you WILL eventually require maintenance and repair, and a brick-and-mortar business is more likely to have a resident service department; internet businesses usually do not. Additionally, with a local business, you would be able to take advantage of the store’s technical staff and other unique services when the need presents itself. These services would be difficult, if not impossible, to secure when dealing with a faceless and distant internet business. Once they have your money and they have shipped you the instrument, it is unlikely they will ever have to deal with you again. This service aspect is, after all, one of the reasons why they are able to offer you rock-bottom discount prices.

If you deal with an international website, you must remember that the economies of scale are vastly different in the US for example. Wages & working conditions are lower, taxes too, currently your imports do not attract GST if under $1,000 – there many factors dictating why internet purchases from overseas are lower – but know this –  YOUR LOCAL RETAILER IS NOT RIPPING YOU OFF because they are unable to compete with the prices offered online from overseas.

Our members employ Australians – overseas internet sites do not.