Rain
By the time I walk into a music store, my homework is done and I'm usually not looking for guidance or suggestions. In fact, at this point, I probably know at least as much about the product I want as any sales guy ever will. I'll have all the pertinent names and models numbers memorized and I already know that it's either this or that. 

Yep, and it's at that exact moment when there isn't a salesdweeb to be found!

By the time I walk into a music store, my homework is done and I'm usually not looking for guidance or suggestions. In fact, at this point, I probably know at least as much about the product I want as any sales guy ever will. I'll have all the pertinent names and models numbers memorized and I already know that it's either this or that.

 
That's me as well Rain.  That's why I was saying that I usually end up educating the young sales clerk.  I am busy telling him what wood the instrument is manufactured from, how the guitar is made and what pickups are in the guitar.  I still like to go in and play the instrument, even though I have been studying the specifications on it for months.  Even two of the same model don't play and feel exactly alike.  
 
The hardest thing to purchase, for me, is mail order.  I hate not having played the instrument before I buy it.  Both times that I have bought mail order, luckily, I have gotten really good instruments.  The first time was a Gibson LP Standard back in 1981.  The second was my Epi Dot on my 50th birthday.  Incidentally, Mar's was my favorite retail store.  I bought my Rick bass through them nearly 15 years ago.

I never had to mail order guitars so far - except as a teenager, when buying cheap guitars from Sears. Judging by how different the 3 LP Traditional Pro I've tried last week were, even if the only difference should have been the color, I'm not sure I'd trust my luck w/ that. More than just minor set up difference there. But nice to know that you were lucky w/ yours. :)
 
The only other store I'm familiar w/ here in the US is Sam Ash, that's where I bought my stuff back in NY. It was the closest to home and I walked in front of it practically every day on my way to Radio City Music Hall. I loved that particular store, it had some kind of vibe which worked for me. I later found out that it used to be the legendary Manny's, which I guess further contributed to it becoming one of my favorite places. 

I've been to that Sam Ash, Rain. Great guitar store in NY. I met the owner of Hartke amps on the last visit. I also visit that Town Center GC when ever I'm in Vegas.

Leadfoot
Remember the good old days where you got a case no matter how cheap the guitar was? It's total BS that you have to purchase a case separately for a guitar you paid $400 or more for. I remember my first electric I got in 1982 was a Sears strat copy. It was $179 and came with a hard case. It should still be that way. Companies are so worried about their profits that they're fine with hosing the customer. Disgusting. Okay, I'm done. Thanks for listening. :)

Its called the add ons where  all the markup is... so much competition with the main item (guitar/keyboard/drumset) that profit is shaved thin and the money t be made is cables, cases, accessories, stand, strap, blah blah

"The store in Arlington.
The store in Mesquite.
The Central Expressway location."
 
When I lived there, they just had the one site, on Spring Valley (?) at the parkway.
I spent many a lunch hour in it playing their guitars and keyboards.

The guitar store I used to hang out at, when I was mostly an unemployed musician..... sold mostly organs and pianos with a rack of maybe a dozen guitars....and a few amps tucked in the alcove.  It was either that or the various pawn shops which really didn't want long haired unemployed musicians making their stores a hangout.
 
To go to a "real music store" we had to drive 2 hrs to Raleigh, NC or longer to Silver Springs Md.....
 
But usually, early in the morning, before lunch, we could hang out there and drink coffee and shoot the breeze and on occasion even have the impromptu jam session. It was at this store that I met some guys with whom I formed a few bands through the years, and also where I bought my Gibson "The Paul" when my SG was stolen the first time. Being located just around the corner from my house made it convenient too.
 
Thanks to google street view...... I have discovered that this music store is now a bus station.

The first time I saw a real American strat at my local music store was the day I received an unexpected big stinky check to buy. 
 
Before that, the only thing they carried were Vantage and Aria Pro and such, and then Squiers. In a small 11 000 souls town, in the early-mid 80s, there weren't many potential buyers who could afford anything else. Folks who wanted better instruments usually travelled a few hours to get to the city.
 
I don't think I ever saw a genuine Marshall stack w/ the 2 cabs before I was 20-something. I stood in front of that thing staring at it forever. It was almost like I was meeting Hendrix or something. The store folks must have thought I was ****ed. 

5piced, eh?

Hi,
 
I would have spent $1500 plus a nice Fender Case (gotta have that red inside on the black case!), if they adjusted the price, and took off the cheapie toilet paper case and added the Fender one.
 
"Not sure it is the right fit"
 
"Heck, you guys have the store, right? You make sure it does, and I will buy it"
 
"We can't do that!"
 
"Thanks. If you want the sale, your phone is showing my number, and you know what I want!"
 
Never got the call!