Thiels Music Center, Longview, WA 98632

guitar services: 

  • guitar shops

Telephone: 

(360) 577-8318

Location

1432 Commerce Ave.
98632 Longview , WA
United States
46° 9' 21.8952" N, 122° 58' 49.548" W
Washington US

5 Comments

You lost a sale and regular customer

I stop at Thiels at least once a month. I have received poor service from just about everyone behind the counter but have put up with it because they are the only guitar shop in town. But today was the straw that broke the camel's back.

How does this business stay afloat if you are unable to try a guitar before you buy it?

I stopped by their Longview, WA shop today and noticed thay have a black/gray 1991 PRS CE24 for $1200.00
As a PRS collector I wanted to check it out and most likely buy it.
 
I noticed it had a note on it that says "DO NOT TOUCH!" This is not a problem, so I ask the sales clerk to play it and was told quite bluntly, "NO."
She ads that "These belong to the owner and he doesn't want anyone to play them before you buy them."
I said "I am a potential customer and would like to play it for a possible purchase." The answer was still "no."  
 
I quickly notice that all of the used instruments in their shop over $1,000.00 as well as thier new Gibsons say "DO NOT TOUCH" on them!
What kind of business practice is this especially in the current down economy. How in the world are they going to sell instruments if you can't play them before you buy them? I expect taking special care with a $10k + guitar, but common. This guitar was only $1200.
 
This is perhaps the dumbest thing I have ever heard of and they lost a considerably sized sale today because of it.
As a collector and player, I spend thousands of dollars a year on guitars and amplifiers. With the lack of respect I was shown today, I will never a foot in this businesses again.

from a former employee

and this...is why I do not work there any more!  I just did repairs though and had to just sit and listen to the bad employee/customer skills. 

I am too.

I am a former employee too and I agree. I am pretty sure I know who you are too!!!

Poeple in general.

If you don't take care of your appperance, no one will let you touch one of their guitars. I have known the owner for over 40 years. I dress nice. wash my hands, and bath everyday, If I go into the store I will be able  to play any guitar that I choose I garante that. I would not let a homeless man play my $2000.00 Les Paul. Until he washed his hands. Then I let him play to his hearts delight. So quit complaining and wash your hands and act like a professional person.

Abbacus's picture

About the worst music store imaginable

How can they still be in business? Even being the only music store in Longview, WA, they still manage to alienate everyone who trys to put up with their bad attitudes, sky-high prices, low inventory, rude behaviour, and crappy gear. The other negative posts are right. This store stinks. I was one of the last long time local musicians who finally gave up on this store. Now I only know of one guy who still goes in there once in a while out of misplaced pity for the owner.