When I first started hearing rumors of being able to buy musical instruments at big box retailer Best Buy, I totally dismissed it. It would never be professional products there, I thought. It would probably be toys and pro-sumer junk.
I was wrong.
The new Musical Instruments selection at Best Buy.com has a good selection of quality stuff. There’s pro-synths, interfaces, recording gear, guitars and more. It’s not a full selection, but they do have Sonar 7 Producer. Or the Korg M3 61-key synthesizer. In fact, their keys selection scales all the way up to Roland’s flagship board, the Fantom G8. And it says “in store only” for that listing!
Speaking of, here’s the stores that carry music gear.
Call me crazy, but I just can’t see myself going into Best Buy, picking up a new DVD, video game, oh… and a new guitar and amp. I wonder what prompted them to start selling big name instruments. I’m sure they’re hoping poor musos come in and apply for their 20% interest credit card.
Tags: Best Buy, Retailer, Synths, What?
Haha, awesome. It’ll be nice to go play with some stuff when I’m bored at Best Buy at least. It is strange that they’re stocking it….
This really strikes a nerve with me. No doubt that with the success of Rock Band and Guitar Hero that Best Buy saw this as a prime opportunity to cash in on selling real instruments. Why have the masses go to Guitar Center or a local ma’ and pa’ music shop when they can get a drum set, refrigerator and a movie all from the same store?
I currently work in a BestBuy MI store and what I can say is that while opinions like these are welcome in any forum, they need to be backed up and founded. I was once weary myself of BestBuy entering an industry they have nothing to do with, but since our grand open here there has been absolutely nothing but fantastic response to our store. From the beginner to the pro, everyone’s happy to have a shop with knowlegeable people that are neither on commission nor arrogant… and match any price in town. As for the “limited selection”, we can order anything from the hundreds of vendors we have in stock. Noone is hired that hasn’t passed a knowlege test with an emense amount of passion. We offer lessons, repairs, details, etc. We also showcase local artists and send mom and pop shops tons of business to all help eachother in our community. We all offer something different and can only help eachother to grow.
I only say these things because I feel that someone needs to mention all the great things this venture has to offer. The MI industry has not changed in far too long and alot of positives can come from stimulating it.
MC.
Our buddy at Best Buy has chimed in, and I feel it appropriate to retort his comment. If you have worked retail, as I regrettably have, then you clearly see that MC is suffering for a case of consumer sonnambulism. Hopefully he will wake up from this cloudy existence and learn that Best Buy does not care about him, does not care if he succeeds or fails in the world, does not care about the customers, but only about the bottom line. In other words, you have been had, my dear friend, and you need to stop watching those training videos.
Now, to the real issue at hand: Best Buy selling music gear. I believe David has an excellent theory when he says “No doubt that with the success of Rock Band and Guitar Hero that Best Buy saw this as a prime opportunity to cash in on selling real instruments.”
Well, there may be some doubt, these things take time to implement, so perhaps they had it in the works long before those video games were out. Though, that could have been planned as well. Think of it:
First we sell video games that simulate playing instruments, then we start selling instruments. It is a brilliant marketing scheme. Few parents are going to rush out and buy their child a $500 instument; we know how kids are, they are too likely to quit. What’s a $50 video game though? We get the kids hooked with games, the parents think there may something to their children when it comes to music, and the next thing you know they are buying an entire recording studio for little Billy who they just know is talented.
At this point I am sure MC and his ilk are cringing at the mere suggestion that this entire thing could have been planned out, or even that they could have seen a market oppurtunity as a result of video games, but it is not so far fetched, and my friends, the brass at Best Buy have a lot more control than we do.
As for “lessons, repairs, details, etc…” we will let that speak for itself, stopping only to say music theory and reading tabs are two very different schools of study.
Great selection? Can order anything? So can I, it’s called the internet and a call to the vendor, pick up the phone and you can have it here tomorrow. I never understood why people make such a big deal out of being able to order it a the store, does UPS not go to your house? And for less if you shop around! (No, they will not beat anyone’s prices.)
Personally, my trips to Best Buy, which have now ceased entirely as the combined result of this business venture and an employee saying in the background over the phone, “I don’t feel like helping any customers”, generally include answering questions for other customers. Yes, when I visit Best Buy in (shall we say civilian?) civilian clothes customers ask me questions. That is direct result of what we call “the retail stance”, apparently I look more helpful than the men and women in blue. Perhaps I should apply for a job there? No, that’s a terrible idea.
We might also mention that the “MI industry” has in fact been evolving since its beginning. From handcrafted precision instruments, to overnight ordering, to internet downloading. Music instruments have evolved, and the music instrument industry continues to include new products, and new markets. MC would not know this, of course, because he isn’t “in the industry.”
And it is, an industry, which is really where this entire conundrum comes from. For you see my dear music making comrades, this bothers us because it is the death of all that we consider holy. No longer will music exclusive at the hands of those who have spent years perfecting their craft. No longer will the artistic community consist of dedicated individuals who want to inspire the world. No! In the new economy everything is fair ground, nothing is scared. Any button pushing, bugger (sic) eating , video game playing, preteen hopped up on energy drink now can go visit his local Best Buy with his dotting button pushing, burger eating, corporate game playing parents where they can all stare in bewilderment at a dumpy teenager, or a confused adult that never quite made it in the real world, and get what they think is the latest and greatest in musical instrument technology.
Nothing is scared, that is why it bothers us. Music, one of our last great American values, now available at your local big box retailer.
Do not worry, we still have our pianos, we still have our handmade precision instruments, we still have our talent, and we still know how to make real music. For now.
Steve, you are butthurt.