Tale of two shops

[Ace]

I had two shopping experiences yesterday----one good, one appalling.
I needed piston valve oil and went to my regular store here in Berkeley CA. When I arrived, the place was shuttered. Gone out of business. I went down the avenue about two miles and found another music store which had changed hands, now being called "Rockin' Robbie's". That should have been my signal. When I walked in, the place was filled with guitars and surly customers. The rock star people on duty did not greet me. When I spoke up, they asked what was "piston oil". One rocker guy about 70 years old walked over to a dusty shelf and produced some Al Cass oil and charged me $8.81 for the two ounce bottle. Gave me a receipt but no "Thank you" for my purchase. I wont go there again.

In contrast, I enjoyed my trip to Ifshin's Violins, a high class strings shop where I went to get some stuff for my viola; i.e., shoulder rest with extra long screw; D'Addario dark rosin; hard rubber practice mute. $39.58 with a warm "Thank you for your purchase". Since I am a thirty years' customer they even added, "Good to see you again!" Needless to say, they will continue to be my pleasant and preferred destination when I need all things string-related.
Ace

[arpthark]

I've had less-than-stellar experiences at places that purport to "do it all." The following interaction occured shortly after I moved to Connecticut before I knew any of the local repairfolks:

Call and ask if they service tubas. "Oh yeah!"

Bring in a rotary valve tuba that needs the linkage tightened and new bumpers. "Woah, what kind of valves are those? I've never seen those before."

Have to wait several weeks because they had no bumpers that would fit.

Receive the tuba, which now has seized rotors, misaligned back bearing plates, and was even noisier than before.

Cut my losses, take it to somebody else who is locally recommended and spend a nice afternoon with them while they fix all that "repair" work.

I have since then found an even nicer place that isn't quite as close, but the man there was an apprentice of Larry Minick in LA and does outstanding work.

[bloke]

Owning my brick-and-mortar (until 17 years ago) became [1] too physically dangerous, [2] too likely for things to be stolen (unless one of us was constantly out front watching like a hawk), and [3] far too confiscatory (regarding taxation) to consider keeping it open.

As things have continued to deteriorate (in both societal and governmental ways) since those years, I would view returning to that sort of business plan as absolute insanity.

fast forward 17 years:
I would not consider getting out of my vehicle in that same part of town, would certainly prohibit my spouse from entering into that area on her own, and would only very reluctantly drive through there. (It's roughly a mile from where I grew up.)

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