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UK GUITARISTS PREFER THE HIGH STREET TO THE INTERNET, FINDS BBZGUITARS SURVEY
But inflated business rates and super-brand snobbery put local guitar vendors at risk

19 May, 2008 - A study of more than 500 guitarists in the UK, commissioned by BBZGuitars of High Wycombe, has found that nearly eighty percent of guitarists would rather visit a shop to purchase guitars, amplifiers and accessories than purchase equipment online or by mail-order.

Despite these findings, guitar retailers are becoming an increasingly rare sight on the British high street. Steve Busby, managing director of BBZGuitars, thinks that a combination of factors are to blame but believes the biggest hurdle to specialist guitar shops is business rates and rents.

“When I was setting up BBZGuitars in 2007, what I really wanted was a small town-centre retail unit in High Wycombe,” said Busby. “But with rent and rates exceeding fifty thousand pounds a year, I needed to turnover more than one hundred and twenty thousand pounds, just to break even; that’s without taking a salary myself and without any marketing costs, so frankly a non-starter.”

Determined to set up a guitar showroom all the same, Busby finally opted for premises in a business park on the outskirts of High Wycombe. However, this route came with its own sacrifices because whilst many of the smaller luthiers and amp manufacturers, such as Gordon Smith, JHS, Arbiter, St. Blues, Breedlove, Italia, Kustom and Traynor, were willing to support dealers in out-of-town locations, the big brands like Gibson, Fender and Marshall were not.

“At first, I thought this was a real problem because I assumed that everyone wanted Gibson, Fender and Marshall gear,” said Busby. “In reality, it’s turned out to be a great opportunity because when customers see what fantastic build quality and value for money they can get with products like Vintage, St Blues and the many other ranges I stock, they often forget about the super-brands. All the same, I do realise I’m losing some customers without those big names”

One concern that Busby shares with many traditional guitar retailers is the challenge of competing with pure-play Internet guitar vendors, particularly European-based operations that are not subject to the same tax liabilities or overheads as businesses in the UK, so can therefore offer more competitive pricing. “

There’s always the risk that a customer will come to your showroom to try-out a piece of equipment, only to order it cheaper online” said Busby. “As a dealer there’s not a lot you can do but for the buyers it’s important to remember, particularly with guitars, that every instrument is unique, even a guitar in the same range can have a different tone and feel. So if you think you’ve found the guitar of your dreams at your local retailers, the one you buy for twenty pounds less online might not be as good.”

Busby is also keen to point out that when ordering from overseas vendors, buyers do need to be aware that any warranty work or faulty equipment will mean that goods have to be returned to their original point of purchase and not directly to the manufacturer, even if the manufacturer is in the UK.

Despite these pressures, BBZGuitars is still keen to welcome all guitarists into its showroom and actively encourages customers to test-drive any of its impressive range of new and second hand guitars, amps and accessories. In addition, guitarists who visit the showroom can also qualify for an additional discount up to ten percent on everything in-store.

BBZGuitars showroom is located at Unit 10 Cressex Enterprise Centre, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe HP12 3RL. www.bbzguitars.co.uk.

About BBZGuitars
BBZGuitars was established in 2007 as a UK-based guitar and amp specialist. In partnership with leading instrument makers, including John Hornby Skewes with Vintage guitars, Breedlove, Gordon Smith, Tanglewood, Fender-owned Hamer, St. Blues, Italia, First Act and many other well-known brands, BBZGuitars provides a selection of new and used guitar equipment along with professional after sales and product maintenance services. The company’s products are available for purchase online from www.bbzguitars.co.uk or at its High Wycombe showroom in Buckinghamshire.

For more information call 01494 533554.

Press Contact:
Steve Busby
Tel: + 44 (0) 1494 533554
Email: steve@bbzguitars.co.uk

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