South Shore Music — Attraction in Weymouth

Had my second guitar lesson with John McCarthy. Waited 15 minutes after the lesson was supposed to start before saying something to them. They went and got him and he came out and spoke to me. To sum up the conversation, he said he assumed I wasn’t there because it’d been a month since my last lesson, and that he had someone in 15 minutes so he couldn’t push his other appointments back. I told him I was here at the scheduled time but he tried to blame me for his own actions of not coming out to get me! I was appalled by his attitude and said “I’m just going to ask for my money back” and he said “well you’re not gonna get it”. I went to the counter and they refunded me for 3 lessons (I pre-paid for 4). The employees at the counter could see and hear the conversation. One of them kept his back facing me while he leaned against the counter as I started talking to them. The other employee had an attitude when giving me my money back. Also, John wasn’t even there for my first (and only) lesson and I had to come back later that day! The unprofessionalism I’ve experienced here is absolutely unreal. I’ve heard negative things but saw good reviews online, so gave them a chance. What a mistake, but lesson learned! I would never...

I may be showing my age, but I remember a time before the mass retailers came into the picture; that great local music store with real musicians and players, you got to know them and vice versa. Also, the customers who came in to try a guitar usually came in to either buy or every now and then play their dream guitar – but they could play. They didn’t just come in to crank up the volume and play the same riff over and over for an hour as you find in the big stores!

To my surprise I found that classic music store in South Shore Music. I had purchased a guitar and within a few days realized it just wasn’t connecting with me. These guys had no problem taking it back as they get it. If that connection is missing, it’s not the right guitar. I did not have time to consider others that day and hope to be back soon. The clear differentiation is the staff and the service. They all have knowledge, credibility, and experience. Most importantly, they go out of their way to help you and make sure you are satisfied.

If you want a classic music store with great service, this...

Staff are very knowledgeable and have a good relationship with their suppliers. A customer could come in at any stage of musical education and find advice, practice spaces, and gear. A staff member, could tell me the origin of each and every instrument and was very friendly and knowledgeable. Prices were very low in comparison with the retail asking price, which is another clear indication that they share a good relationship between distributer and supplier. He was more than happy to alow me to handle the more boutique and expensive instruments. At the end of my visit, after much conversation, he said that if I were to return after coming to the area again in the future to persue respective education at a college, he would be happy give me financial...