Shopping Online For Musical Instruments - Ten Important Questions to Ask

It used to be that if you wanted to buy a musicallocation.
instrument, you had to find a nearby music store and5. Does the music store have good customer service?
find time to get there. This traditional method can beOne way to find out is to call the music store before
inconvenient and sometimes even impossible with busyyou purchase an instrument or piece of equipment. By
schedules and limited local options. The music storespeaking with a store employee, you will get a better
may not have your preferred instrument in stock, itsense of how knowledgeable the store and its staff is,
may be too far away or you simply may not have theshould you have any questions about your instrument
time to get there. Fortunately, the Internet makes itonce you purchase.
very simple to purchase musical instruments online.6. Does the online music store have referrals or
However, it may feel like you are taking a leap of faithtestimonials on their website? Typically, an online store
by purchasing such a costly item without first playingwill not post any bad comments about themselves on
the instrument, listening to it or even holding it in yourtheir website, for obvious reasons, but having some
hands.recommendations and testimonials available for
Other issues can arise once you make the step topotential customers is a good indication that the store
purchase - the instrument could arrive at your dooris valued by its current customers. If the online store
damaged, the music store might charge you the wronghas a forum, allowing website visitors to post
amount or send you the wrong item. It is imperative tocomments and ask questions about certain
be able to trust the source that you are buying frominstruments, you can tell that they are open and
before you make the purchase, so that if a problemhonest, and value customer opinions.
does arise, you can be assured that it will be resolved.7. Does the store respond to email? If you send the
Here are 10 questions you should ask in order tostore an email with a legitimate question about a
ensure satisfaction with your online musical instrumentparticular instrument in their inventory and they do not
purchase:respond to your email within a reasonable timeframe -
1. How long has the online music store been inone full business day - you can safely assume that
business? There are many "fly-by-night" stores on theyour business is not their priority.
Internet. One way to make sure you are not ripped off8. Does the music store have a good social media
is to find out how long the store has been conductingreputation? Check to see if the store has an active
business online. It's common for a company to list howprofile on Facebook or Twitter and if the store has a
long they have been providing services on the "Aboutdecent number of "friends" or "followers." Do they
Us" section of its website. If you cannot find theinteract with customers online, and do these
answer on the website, try calling the store to find out.interactions seem helpful? You might consider
2. Does the online music store have a phone number?contacting someone through a social media channel
If a company does not list a phone number on theirthat has made a purchase from the music store and
website, it's a sign that they may not make contactinquire about their experience. At the very least, you
with their customers over the phone. Communicatingshould perform an Internet search on the store to see
solely through email may complicate your purchaseif anyone has published complaints about them online
should any problems arise down the line.or in blogs and forums. For example, searching "Music
3. Is the website secure? If the website does not haveStore Name" and "complaints" may provide you with
an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, you maydetails about the level of service the store offers.
want to think twice before sending your credit card9. What is their return policy? The music store should
information to them. Digicert is a trustworthy companylist its return policy in clear detail on its website. If you
that provides SSL certificates to websites that meetchange your mind about an instrument or if it is slightly
encryption and authentication guidelines. McAfeedamaged, you should know what the policy of the
Secure is another company that protects websitesstore is before making your purchase.
from hackers, identity theft, credit card fraud and10. Can you listen online? Does the store make it
viruses. Look for these badges - they often include apossible for you to hear what the instrument sounds
check mark or lock icon - on websites for peace oflike online? Check for videos on the music store's
mind that the online music store you are purchasingwebsite or on YouTube that may feature the
from is taking all possible steps to ensure their websiteparticular instrument you are purchasing.
is secure, which will keep your personal informationIf you can find the answers to these questions, then
safe.online shopping for the perfect guitar, drum set,
4. Does the online store have a physical location?keyboard or other musical instruments will be a more
Music stores that are experienced in servicing in-storepositive experience. Do some comparison shopping -
customers directly tend to have more developedoften you can find instruments at a better price
service policies, which will serve you as the customerthrough online music stores, but remember that prices
better. Check the "About Us" section of the websitevary greatly from store to store.
for information about the music store's physical