Milano Music Center — Local services in Mesa

I called today (Saturday) and was told by an employee that they have a "skeleton" staff and no one available to sell me retail woodwind products. She went on to explain to me that Milano's "just hires high school students" and that I should call back on a weekday. "She just does polishing." Unbelievably, I was actually transferred to her department (repairs?). She was unwilling to tell me her name when I requested a manager and told me there were none available on a weekend before hanging up on me. I called back directly and requested a manager. I was then transferred to the woodwind department instead and told no manager was available. Jessica (department manager) was helping a customer. I suggested that Jessica must answer to someone and that I was looking for that person, not Jessica. After 5 minutes on hold, I spoke to Josh (who is supposedly in charge of multiple departments). He was polite and listened to my complaint about being hung up on by someone who was oblivious or ignorant to my requests. He was unable to assist me either but directed me to one of their "clarinet specialists." After almost a half an hour I was able to find out that they didn't stock the item I wanted or something similar (to be fair it was a long shot they would). Unfortunately, this isn't my first issue with Milano's Music. The sad truth is that I've tried to do business with this store on multiple occasions because I like to shop locally. I purchased a clarinet case from them one time in the past and was satisfied with the purchase but almost every other time I've been frustrated by their lack of customer service and/or product knowledge. IT IS A SHAME! They have quality items in stock and a good selection. They have several knowledgeable staff members. The real challenge is identifying to whom you need to speak and getting access to them. If you do business with Milano's and are willing to navigate the hurdles then, IMHO, your best option is to arrive in person and be persistent. I just don't want to put in that much effort unless it is a big purchase and then I would want better service. I'll give them two stars because of the selection and quality of the product but am torn between that and only one star because of the frustration, inconsistency and lack of service. I sometimes wonder why I keep trying but local businesses, especially music stores, are becoming more rare. I just wish this one were better run. These problems have been present for the past 7 years I've done or tried to do business with them and are persistent despite changes in staff. I can only deduce that it is a...

Milanos music is a great place for staff members and for rentals. My family had been renting for years with milanos. After 5ish years of renting it was time to buy an instrument to own. Buying the instrument and just being able to try out all the instruments was great! My sister had rented and also had some money built up so we used that towards a case and a bow. I’ve been going to milanos for things as new rosin, a new shoulder rest, and sheet music. This recent I went to milanos for a bow rehair. 60$ for the rehair so I assumed it would be good. The bow was ready within a week. Good service I thought. I took the bow assuming that it was fine. I showed my teacher and he just went “oh my god you need to return that”. Same time I had bought a bow for about 250$ that was getting a complimentary rehair. I got that bow back yesterday. Yesterday as well 1/10/22 I had went back to get a refund on the rehair. The person who did said it was “user error” and played it off as a smart tart. I went somewhere else for the rehair. The new bow I had bought that got the complimentary rehair was far worse than the first bow I had gotten rehaired. The new bow that I had bought with the complimentary rehair I had returned today 1/11/22. The staff BESIDES THE ONES IN THE STRING DEPARTMENT (specifically the one with shaggy hair and a beard) we’re excellent to me and issued my refund successfully. The one I said specifically was disrespectful. Unfortunately I will never be going back to milanos music due to this experience. The staff is excellent. Beth the violin viola string specialist was an amazing help to me through all of this. Milanos is a great company with employees and music (linton milanos) but for repairs and rehairs go somewhere else for them. I hope you read this review with consideration of your music experience and where you want to go with...

I went to Milano Music Center to buy a particular brand of acoustic guitar. I had been to another authorized dealer on the same mission but was put off by the attitude and actions of its management. Milano's saved the day for me. I dealt with capable straightforward people there, who were all true to their word. This is a bonus these days in an industry where many of the "retail" shops are just a smidge above a pawn shop. And a shady pawn shop at that.

Johnny, the man who helped me at Milano Music Center, was knowledgeable and straightforward. We negotiated the deal in the course of a low-key civilized conversation, including the trade-in value of the guitar I was replacing. I'm old enough that I can appreciate a business-like approach to a routine commercial transaction.

In my opinion, Milano Music Center is operated by people who know how to treat a customer. It is my further opinion that Johnny is the kind of employee the music business could use more of. If he were my employee, I'd give him a raise. So I say, shop for music gear at Milano's. They'll treat you honorably and you won't feel like you need a shower and some disinfectant when you're done with them.

I'm going to go play my new guitar. It's the finest one I've ever owned. Say "thanks" to Johnny next time you're in Milano...