I have bought pieces from both Sam Ash and GC here in the Cleveland area and have returned items making sure I packed everything in the original packaging etc....I have run into a recent situation where I wanted to purchase a Fantom S workstation only to find out I can't get one in a box that already has not been used (and looks it)when I found one the clerk could not find all of the manuals/software etc..... It scares me to have to spend $1500.00 dollars for a piece of equipment that looks like it has not only been open and used but is scratched etc....I know that there is a warranty but for that kind of money I expect the store to inspect and make sure the equipment is new and has not been abused by the previous owner. My other frustration is that when you want to demo a piece the sales people don't know the equipment. I offten know more about the item than the sales people, what ever happened to training and research on the part of the store....I have bought and returned pieces of eqipment over the years but I always returned it in it's original cartom packed all of the manuals and software if included and I also always wiped it off so the next person who purchased the piece got something that although was used very little looked new.....Why can't the store to the same, if nothing else it builds confidence in the eyes of the consumer......I have bought items from Musicians friend but I still prefer to go look it over and bring it home rather than wait a week for UPS to drop it off. Just recently I bought a EMU PK6 synth from Musicians friend and the UPS driver left it on my porch, in plain view of anyone who walked past my house, we did'nt know it was there untill 9:00pm when I took my dog for a walk and just happened to look on the porch for the daily paper.....Nice eh!
[This message has been edited by mdolmon (edited 11-30-2003).]