We had a similar situation here in my city, a small independant music store was doing well because of the owners knowledge and personal attention to his customers. Guitar center and Daddy's Junky music both big box stores moved into town but the little store still flourished. If you stood in the store for a couple of days you would see every working musician in town. Guys would drive across town just to visit and shoot the....... and pick up what ever they needed big or small. Ask questions seek advice.....

Well the owner retired and sold out and the store, although owned by a man that has three stores altogether, is not the same.
He has to hire from the same pool of young local musicians as GC and DJ.
The point is once the owner left and took his personal knowledge and service with him the store has changed and now we go wherever is closest.

Musicians friend owns Guitar center so the prices and selection are almost identical.
The only difference is if you order at MF there is no sales tax (8 1/4 %), and alot of times free shipping if over a certain amount.

[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 09-11-2006).]