🚀 go-pugleaf

Many software stores make a great deal of money selling game software.
I suspect that Mitch Shapiro wondered into such a store.  That kind of
store is ill equipped to handle the sales of MIDI software.  Selling
MIDI software requires the salesperson to have working knowledge of
both computers and music, the type of people Mitch encountered have
neither.  Fortunately, there are some alternatives.  Try shopping for
MIDI software in a musical instrument store.  The better stores
usually have serveral different types of computer available.  Most
musicians want to try out instruments before they lay down their hard
earned bucks and this tradition has also carried over to MIDI
software.  Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when dealing with
music stores:

  o Sales people in music stores are typically paid a comission.  If
    you want good help, find the salesperson that is most helpful and
    deal only with them.  Don't jerk them around.  If you don't intend
    to buy, don't waste their time, it only hurts your reputation as a
    good customer.  If you buy consistantly from one salesperson he or
    she will see you as a source of revenue and thus work harder to
    earn a sale.

  o Expect to haggle on the price.  They will charge you list price
    unless you haggle.  Typically discounts of 20 to 30 percent can be
    had.  I've found that when I work with only one salesperson the
    negotiations become shorter and sometimes they will even volenteer
    a reasonable discount without my saying a word.

  o If you are looking at a purchase and it requires a lot of in-store
    trial, try to identify a time when the store isn't very busy and
    then set up an appointment to try the software then.  You'll never
    get good service if the saleperson is trying to help 15 people at
    once.  Also, ask about product demo's, sometimes they are put on
    by the product manufacturer and they can answer many questions.

Those are my thoughts on buying MIDI software.  Unfortunately, I don't
know the area where Mitch lives and thus cannot recommend any music
stores there.  Mitch - I think a brief posting to rec.music.synth
might yeild a few store recommendations in your area.

							stank
US Mail: Stan Kalinowski, Tektronix, Inc., Interactive Technologies Division
         PO Box 1000, MS 61-028, Wilsonville OR 97070   Phone:(503)-685-2458
e-mail:  {ucbvax,decvax,allegra,uw-beaver}!tektronix!orca!stank
    or   stank@orca.WV.TEK.COM