An observation from the other side of life.

I'm in my 60's. Every time I go to the store it's always  Good morning, sir.  May I help you, sir.  Thank you, sir.
Sir is not the worst thing in the world to be called. It's not the best thing either.

But those guys at GC?  How you doin' man?  Hey man, what brings you in today?
None of that Sir stuff. I never get Dude though and yeah, I guess that doesn't work.    They probably refer to me as that old dude when I'm out the door and that's OK.

So for all those people at GC (except for the guy  who never sees me even though I'm standing RIGHT THERE, credit card in hand):  Thank you and carry on.


 

LOL, I know the feeling Dude. 😄

I pretty much gave up on local music stores. Between the noise and pretty inexperienced kids trying to sell you something, I prefer web shopping.
 
I use Sweetwater and Amazon for most things. Sweetwater gives that extra 1 year warranty. Their support has helped me a few times. They take returns very easily and stand by their product. Their prices are great and will price match. 
 
I worked at Guitar Center's Drum Department in Hollywood way back in the 70's. Terry Bozio was a regular. They blasted ELO all day long. Lots of trippy guys hanging out. 
 
Those were the days.
 

+1 RimShot

I still patronize my local music store (not GC). Sure, the kids working there are my grandchildren's age. And they seem to think I'm not only from another age but a separate species altogether. Still, internet shopping will never match the experience of plugging in gear to see how it feels and sounds. 

True about instruments (depending on what type) bit but accessories, sticks, strings, mics, cables, picks, etc. can come straight to your door with free shipping when ordered online.

Hi,
 
I have done most of my purchasing online. The folks here (in Portland) are not knowledgable at all, and I'm not sure I would even consider them for a band ... and it always feels like the only thing they could play for, is the high schools' band, and quasi-jazz band.
 
Portland Music was too big and it was obvious that they kinda "knew" their clientele, and one guy decked out in total stage getup, got an immediate OK and how do yah do, and two guys were on him in 3 seconds. When I walked in, it was like ... just another rugrat! Screw'em!
 
Apple Music was fine before it died. Biecock's here in Vancouver is almost strictly for garage and high school bands ... they don't know anything else and they are not interested.  Have never been to or checked out a GC.
 
I miss a certain music store in Santa Barbara in the 70's. They were good, helpful and new or old geezer, they were right on you!
 
I guess times have changed!

bitflipper
I still patronize my local music store (not GC). Sure, the kids working there are my grandchildren's age. And they seem to think I'm not only from another age but a separate species altogether. Still, internet shopping will never match the experience of plugging in gear to see how it feels and sounds. 

Totally agree Bit.  As much as I complain about GC, I still visit there often and appreciate that there are still music stores to go to and try out gear.  When buying an instrument or amp, I still prefer to try them out before I buy, especially guitars.  Out of an entire wall of Strat's, one will feel right in my hands, over the others.  
 
I also appreciate that you can still demo most amps and guitars at GC.  I have learned a lot about what I like in amps by being able to demo them and with new amps continually coming onto the market, it is great to be able to play them to narrow down what you may want to add to the pallet.  
 
I know that I am constantly surrounded by kids and less experience when I go into these stores, but that is fine by me.  It actually give us old geezers the opportunity to pass some knowledge on to the younger guns.  Some of them actually want to learn.  
 
I was in a Guitar Center on Monday on my day off.  I was pretty much ignored as an old guy when I went into the store.  They probably thought I was looking for a guitar for my son or grandson.  Most of the kids were hovered around the Line 6 amps and noodling around.  I picked up a MIM Strat, plugged into one of the new Mesa Boogie micro tube amps to try it out, played a very bendy lead and watched all of the heads snap around to look at me.  I guess that old guy could play something.  
 
A basic Strat, straight through a good old tube amp still rules in my book.  

I too still shop local (not GC). The manager is the only guy I've been dealing with for just over 30 years now. He's about 10 years younger than me and my biggest hope is he will outlive me cuz I ent got time to build a new relationship.
 
To him I'm simply Ed.
 

bitflipper
I still patronize my local music store (not GC). Sure, the kids working there are my grandchildren's age. And they seem to think I'm not only from another age but a separate species altogether. Still, internet shopping will never match the experience of plugging in gear to see how it feels and sounds. 

And I have to give a +1 to the guys in the back of the local shops (in my case: AZ Music Pro here in Flagstaff). Their guitar tech has helped me out more than once. We also have a really good luthier in town, but I've not met him yet. This post should get my mojo in motivation.