MIR MUSIC — Local services in Hillsboro

Unbelievable experience, so bad it was almost funny, except for the time my daughter and I wasted at the store. Went there to rent a violin since my daughter was interested in giving it a try. There is a guy behind the counter, who never introduces himself, but whose name I later learn is Jack. Frankly, Jack does not seem that enthused to be there. Anyways I explain what we are looking for and Jack runs through what the costs would be, which were fine. But then, as if worn out by explaining the rental costs, which I admit were a bit convoluted, he then changes tack and tries to sell us a violin. I remind him that my daughter just wants to try it out and see if she was really interested. So, he backs off trying to sell us a violin.

When I go to pay for the rental, he asks for a drivers license and two credit cards. Two cards seems a bit excessive, especially for an all-in rental cost of less than $150, but whatever, that’s their practice. But then he hands me some paperwork to complete, name, address, phone number - ok, no problem. But then it asks for SSN#, birthdate...and that’s when I balk. I explain that I’m uncomfortable providing that information due to the risk of identity theft (I work for a bank, for heavens sake). Jack, says they need that information to track me down if I don’t pay. (Seriously? They have my drivers license number, physical address, etc.). I again state I am not willing to provide that information. Jack says “Ok”, picks up the paperwork, walks around the counter and into another room. I stand there like a big dope naively thinking that he’s filing the paperwork away or picking up the case for the violin. (Interestingly, while we are standing at the counter, another customer in the store, hearing our exchange, came up and agreed with my position about not providing my SSN#, etc.)

Well, it turns out Jack has shredded the paperwork (he obviously has taken personal offense to the whole identity theft thing) and when he returns, takes the violin off of the counter which had been sitting in front of my daughter and I. Only now is it dawning on me that I will not be renting a violin from Mir Music, due to my “unwillingness to move forward”, per Jack. Interesting car ride home with my daughter as I tried to explain what happened. Truly a bizarre experience....but you may want to consider an alternative music store if you are looking to rent...

I have been going into Mir for a while. It's the only semi-interesting music shop downtown Hillsboro. Waz Up went out of business and was replaced with Five Star Guitar...

I have had a few experiences, which all boil down to me never stepping foot into that store again:

My first experience was bringing in an ukulele to be repaired. They gouged me on the price, but I didn't know any better until the job was done. Pretty lame start.

I often went in to look around, ask them if they could order something from Mid-east, and bounce ideas off of the staff, but wouldn't buy most of the time. I got to know the staff by name, and shared my projects with them. Unfortunately Jack is all about making money, not passionate about music. Also, their catalogues are outdated, so current pricing is not accurate.

I have had good experiences with Joe - his heart is in the music, and he is willing to help and come up with creative solutions in addition to making revenue for the store. But he isn't always working...

Chris reached out to me online when I posted an ad on Craigslist selling instruments. He quoted me a price, then backpedalled when I brought them in. Another time, I brought in a drum to trade in and Chris raped me on the value. Yet another time, I saw they had posted an ad on Craigslist asking people to trade in instruments, so I brought in another couple of drums in good shape, and Chris refused to buy outright. There was no logical reason for this. I referred to the ad online and he adamantly refused to purchase exactly what was posted on the ad.

The final straw was when I went in the store with the intent to purchase cymbals. There were a few people waiting at the counter, and I stood in line to ask Chris if there were any more cymbals in the drum room in back. He literally ignored me when I got up to the counter, while he dug around and shook a guitar, trying to get a pick out. When I threw up my hands and started for the door, he called out and tried to justify his discourteous behavior by saying he couldn't do two things at once. So, he admitted to ignoring me and failing to provide customer service in favor of getting a pick out of a guitar. I told him to learn how to run a business. Then he tried to flip it around on me and told me to get out, as if I had caused trouble.

Bottom line, screw this place. There are better deals and far better customer service...

On October 29th. Myself and my wife entered the store to return an item. We were told of the return policy and understood it. The way we were treated was unbelievable. Rudely was just the start of how we were told of the policy

I don't want to get into the policy. More about what kind of custom relationship you might find. I need to return the rest of the purchase and will keep you posted with a video on how that goes. And will post on my Wed site the out come.

People need to know of their behavior towards customers. You may find your school or district is using there service. You may want to rethink this and use another shop.

I right this review in hope that it helps you understand that it was not just a person having a bad day and chalk it up to that. This is practiced behavior and rudeness.

My father told me you never know who stands behind the person your dealing with. Don't understand estamate them.

I wanted to make sure that it was understood in my first opening sentence that myself and my wife understood the store policy. That was not the issue. How I was treated and my wife was inexcusable. Language that cannot be used in this form. That is where the issue lied. And as you can see by the response of the owner they totally missed what I was trying to write in this review.

UPDATE Thank you for all of your support other music shops have reached out to our organization and we found a good affordable match for us. Hope that can be the same for the rest of you. Thanks again for all...