mikegrijak Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 As a former MARS employee, I made this prediction when we were in the process of shuttering the Detroit store. Now, on their web site http://www.samashmusic.com/ they are making the move into the first MARS markets where they do not already have a presence. 4 stores for now, look for more to come! They already have 35 locations with these new openings. I personally cannot wait for them to hit Detroit and who knows, I just might get my old job back! (I was MARS's Receiving-Warehouse Manager here in Detroit) WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!! :thu: :D :eek: This way, no, wait, that way!
Rim Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 Cool! I wish they'd take over in Springfield, VA, too. No Sam Ash around there. aka riffing Double Post music: Strip Down http://rimspeed.com http://loadedtheband.com
ViLo Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 When Mars closed here in Dallas, TX., I was thinking waht about if Sam Ash comes here WOW! I hope they do! I'm tired of GC already! Jesus Is Coming, Make Music, Get Ready!
patrick_dont_fret Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 Hurry up and get here... The Mars was right up the street from me...
mikegrijak Posted January 18, 2003 Author Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by ViLo: [b]When Mars closed here in Dallas, TX., I was thinking waht about if Sam Ash comes here WOW! I hope they do! I'm tired of GC already![/b][/quote]The Dallas and Austin MARS stores were two of the HIGHEST VOLUME stores MARS had. They each did around $200,000 per week in sales consistantly! I will bet my gonads that Sam Ash is signing leases for those two locations as we speak! :thu: This way, no, wait, that way!
mikegrijak Posted January 18, 2003 Author Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by patrick_dont_fret: [b]Hurry up and get here... The Mars was right up the street from me...[/b][/quote]Where are you Patrick? This way, no, wait, that way!
Felix_dup1 Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 It will be interesting to see who moves into these vacant locations. The Austin Mars is still just a closed store. For anyone who doesn't know, there were also several South Florida Mars locations that were purchased by George's Music (of Pennsylvania). Also keep in mind that many locations were just too big - even for Mars - and may not be viable for any music store (unless only part of them is leased). This would include some of the first Mars that opened, like the locations in Dallas, Atlanta, and Houston, as well as Nashville. Mars was already trying to sublet space from these oversize locations. As a side note, the Houston location on Gessner road was already scheduled to vacate its space because a Super Target was moving in. A new, free-standing location was under construction in the parking lot, but is probably just empty space now. I guess what I'm getting at is that not all former Mars locations are ideal real estate for a competitor to move into. I'm curious - seems like the feedback towards Sam Ash is very positive in this thread. Is there a perceived difference between them and the other chain stores (as opposed to the usual anti-chain store vibe in these forums)?
patrick_dont_fret Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by mikegrijak: [b] [quote]Originally posted by patrick_dont_fret: [b]Hurry up and get here... The Mars was right up the street from me...[/b][/quote]Where are you Patrick?[/b][/quote]Memphis.
Jotown Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]I personally cannot wait for them to hit Detroit and who knows, I just might get my old job back! (I was MARS's Receiving-Warehouse Manager here in Detroit) WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!! [/quote]Hey good luck Mike, I hope it happens for ya'. :) Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
rog951 Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Rim: [b]Cool! I wish they'd take over in Springfield, VA, too. No Sam Ash around there.[/b][/quote]Hey Riff...errrr, Rim :) do you know if the Mars in Springfield is completely shut down. I assume so but I haven't had a chance to get down there since before the holidays. It would be nice to have Sam Ash in the DC area!!! None more black.
MojoHaiku Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 Mike -- I was bummed when the Mars closed here in Detroit -- I really can't stand the GC here. Can't wait to see what happens -- thanks for the heads up! Jim
Gtoledo3 Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by felix: [b] I'm curious - seems like the feedback towards Sam Ash is very positive in this thread. Is there a perceived difference between them and the other chain stores (as opposed to the usual anti-chain store vibe in these forums)?[/b][/quote]I always got better service at Sam Ash than the Mars chain... it seems like Sam Ash is good to their frequent cutomers at least. Then again, I've known some of the guys at the Sam Ash in town longer than there has been a Sam Ash here. I had heard Mars was big on selling b stock and refurbished equipment as new...any truth to that? Want mix/tracking feedback? Checkout "The Fade"- www.grand-designs.cc/mmforum/index.php The soon-to-be home of the "12 Bar-Blues Project"
Chaz Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 Until Mars took the plunge, Tampa had both Mars and Sam Ash superstores. Now, there is only Sam Ash. I was never really impressed with the way the stores treated there customers, so I decided long ago to take my business eslewhere. The biggest thing I hated about Mars and still do about Sam Ash, is the sense that the customers owed the stores something rather than the stores recognizing that they are there because of the customers and not inspite of them. :mad: Just my 2 cents on the matter. Haven Music Productions Tampa, FL www DOT havenmp DOT com
ViLo Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by mikegrijak: [b] quote:Originally posted by ViLo: When Mars closed here in Dallas, TX., I was thinking waht about if Sam Ash comes here WOW! I hope they do! I'm tired of GC already![/b][/quote]The Dallas and Austin MARS stores were two of the HIGHEST VOLUME stores MARS had. They each did around $200,000 per week in sales consistantly! I will bet my gonads that Sam Ash is signing leases for those two locations as we speak! :bor: :bor: Jesus Is Coming, Make Music, Get Ready!
Gtoledo3 Posted January 18, 2003 Posted January 18, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by chaz: [b]Until Mars took the plunge, Tampa had both Mars and Sam Ash superstores. Now, there is only Sam Ash. I was never really impressed with the way the stores treated there customers, so I decided long ago to take my business eslewhere. The biggest thing I hated about Mars and still do about Sam Ash, is the sense that the customers owed the stores something rather than the stores recognizing that they are there because of the customers and not inspite of them. :mad: Just my 2 cents on the matter.[/b][/quote]Did you ever buy from Thoroughbred? I really loved them, at least before they went into their "Kapok Tree" phase. I got some deals there that were outrageous; $100 for a RE201 Space Echo-I should have bought both of them! $700 for a 68 Les Paul Deluxe. And, the sales advice was always based on trying to get the best fit for your needs and cultivating a long time customer/store relationship, not just the quick buck. Want mix/tracking feedback? Checkout "The Fade"- www.grand-designs.cc/mmforum/index.php The soon-to-be home of the "12 Bar-Blues Project"
mikegrijak Posted January 19, 2003 Author Posted January 19, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by GT3: [b] [quote]Originally posted by felix: [b] I'm curious - seems like the feedback towards Sam Ash is very positive in this thread. Is there a perceived difference between them and the other chain stores (as opposed to the usual anti-chain store vibe in these forums)?[/b][/quote]I always got better service at Sam Ash than the Mars chain... it seems like Sam Ash is good to their frequent cutomers at least. Then again, I've known some of the guys at the Sam Ash in town longer than there has been a Sam Ash here. I had heard Mars was big on selling b stock and refurbished equipment as new...any truth to that?[/b][/quote]Yes, it is true we at MARS sold special closeouts, b stock and refurbished gear, but it was ALWAYS clearly marked on the product and in the AD if this was the case! This way, no, wait, that way!
Felix_dup1 Posted January 19, 2003 Posted January 19, 2003 I haven't been by the former Austin Mars at night, so I don't know if the sign light is still coming on - if it is, it's only because nobody ever shut off the timer. The store (like all other Mars stores) is closed and vacant. As for B-Stocks or Refurbs, Mars never misrepresented any of that sort of product as new. In fact, the B-Stock or Refurb tagline was usually a prominent feature in the advertising, as time and time again it proved to be a highly effective traffic builder for the stores.
Randyland Posted January 19, 2003 Posted January 19, 2003 Yeah, I really miss Thoroughbred as well. I dealt with the same salesperson for years (Randy Lance), and always got GREAT deals, and even better service.
ViLo Posted January 20, 2003 Posted January 20, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by felix: [b] As for B-Stocks or Refurbs, Mars never misrepresented any of that sort of product as new. In fact, the B-Stock or Refurb tagline was usually a prominent feature in the advertising, as time and time again it proved to be a highly effective traffic builder for the stores.[/b][/quote]I got very good deals from Mars in Dallas,TX.,[Walnut Hill ln.] and very good treatment too! no used stuff or naythign like that. Jesus Is Coming, Make Music, Get Ready!
Chaz Posted January 20, 2003 Posted January 20, 2003 GT3...Yes, we purchased many items from T-bred throughout the years until the last 3-4 years. Personally, I always enjoyed the Kapok Tree store in Clearwater better than the Tampa store, even though I personally knew most of the guys at the Tampa store. Haven Music Productions Tampa, FL www DOT havenmp DOT com
Rim Posted January 21, 2003 Posted January 21, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by rog951: [b] [quote]Originally posted by Rim: [b]Cool! I wish they'd take over in Springfield, VA, too. No Sam Ash around there.[/b][/quote]Hey Riff...errrr, Rim :) do you know if the Mars in Springfield is completely shut down. I assume so but I haven't had a chance to get down there since before the holidays. It would be nice to have Sam Ash in the DC area!!![/b][/quote]Ooops. Sorry, rog951, didn't mean to snub ya. I haven't even been in that area since December and at that point, most of their stuff was gone. I'm gonna try to go by there soon just to see if there's any sign of anyone else moving in. Yeah, I'd love to have Sam Ash there. I miss Sam Ash from my NY days. aka riffing Double Post music: Strip Down http://rimspeed.com http://loadedtheband.com
aliengroover Posted January 21, 2003 Posted January 21, 2003 I don't know...it seems to me that most of the employees in the stores seem to know next to nothing about the gear. I often find myself educating them about what they have. That said, I really like the cats at GC (I just came from there). They always ring me about new gear to check out. They are a bit more knowledgeable than most stores. They don't seem to mind you fiddling with the gear. And (sometimes) they'll strike you a great deal. At the Asher it seems like they are ALWAYS down your back. I will credit them that they broke me a few fantastic deals, but that was years ago, but now they're just "funny" overall. With the exception of one or two guys and the guitar and drum departments, those cats are clueless. I like George's, too, though they have almost nothing major I want to buy. I just like that they're only minutes from my house, and I can sprint there to buy odds and ends and be back before the session starts. I got ALL of my first setup there many moons ago, 'cause they were the only real store I knew of at that time, and they had the coolest employees (pretty much still do). Medley Music is great, too. Great gear, incredibly(!) informed salespeople, and they're the only store where you can check out the high(er) end gear. I buy from all of them. I've only gone catalog once (Veneman's Music Emporium...they were the only ones who had the MPC2K when it first came out). Peace If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking 'til you do suck seed!
RABid Posted January 21, 2003 Posted January 21, 2003 I have been in three Sam Ash stores. New York City was OK but much smaller than I expected. Nashville's keyboard section was an embarrasement. Clearwater seemed nice, but no one bothered to give me any service fot the half hour I wondered the keyboard department. Mars was a little better but still nothing close to a good local music store. Guitar Center is really no better or no worse. I'm spoiled by real music stores that have been in business 30 years and can keep the same sales staff for an extended period. I was wondering if Sam Ash would take over the Nashville Mars store. It is too big, but much easier to find. Robert This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page
Mark Zeger Posted January 21, 2003 Posted January 21, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Rabid: [b]I have been in three Sam Ash stores. New York City was OK but much smaller than I expected. [/b][/quote]Assuming you meant Sam Ash in Manhattan, I hope you noticed that there are 4 separate Sam Ash stores on 48th St., one for keyboards/pro audio, one for guitars, one for drums, one for brass/winds/strings/sheet music. Put them together and that's a decent amount of retail square footage for Midtown Manhattan.
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