Main Drag Music — Local services in New York

Where to start with this place. Ugh. I’ve lived in Brooklyn for about as long as this store has been around and been playing and recording music for about twice as long. My first experience with this store was with the intention to buy a specific electric guitar which they had in store. The price was on the average high side so I asked the manager if the price was the best he could do. I showed him one on eBay and asked if he could get closer to that price. Attitude ensued, so I left. Apparently that manager decided to look me up on Facebook, saw that we had a mutual friend, messaged said friend and preceded to bad mouth me. That was fun. I went into the store and confronted him about it and he apologized. Fast forward a few years. I needed a set up in crunch for one of my guitars and being that they were in the neighborhood, I gave it a shot. Action was worse off then when I brought it in and for some reason there were missing screws from the pick guard. Mind you this set up was not on the inexpensive side. Fast forward again to modern time. I had been looking for a particular amp for a while to no avail till one day a google search brought up a listing on Main Drags website. Once again, I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I thought, well, this is twice as much as They usually go for but they have it and all they have to do is put it in a box and send it to me right? Wrong. I waited 3 business days and called them. Guy answering the phone sounded genuinely surprised that that I placed an order. He then tells me that he hadn’t seen the amp lately and that maybe it had been sold already? He then told me that he would look around for it. Two more days no contact. I emailed. No response. Called and was told that it was likely in One of two warehouses they had and that he would check that day. No contact again for two more days. I emailed again asking for a refund, no response, called no answer. Two weeks later still no email Or any kind of contact from them. I gave up and ended up doing a credit card charge back. Eventually someone named Lilly emailed me and tried to at least give me some info on what was going on. Apparently when they last they saw of the amp I purchased, it was on the repair desk of an employee that no longer worked there. Lilly offered to send me a discount coupon or something to that affect, however I never received anything. Stay away from this store. I know they have a bunch of rare hard to find cool gear but you’re gunna pay one way or another or in a couple ways. In my case both monetarily and...

I have been a customer of Main Drag since 2013. I have purchased and sold instruments and effects units, attended events and trusted them with repairs of some of my most beloved possessions. I purchased my prized Sunn S2000 from Main Drag after a long and thoughtful conversation with the owner, Karl in 2021.

Unfortunately, a recent occurrence has completely eroded my trust in Main Drag. In December 2024, I left a guitar to be sold on consignment. I received a fairly generous rate and a PO guaranteeing that I would be informed of the sale and be paid my share of approximately $1600 3-4 weeks after the sale.

I was never in formed of the sale. When I independently discovered that the item had sold, I entered into a months-long wild goose chase with Karl. I have been promised payment by a particular date numerous times, all of which have fallen through, and have been left with my emails ignored for weeks at a time. It is impossible to get anyone on the phone. My next step will likely be small...

Tried to sell my antique guitar here on consignment, and the entire process has been a nightmare. I was polite and courteous the entire time, but the staff was unconcerned and uninvolved. They never contacted me to inform me that the guitar sold, I have been trying to get in touch with them and they are avoiding my calls and emails. I understand covid is making business difficult, but that’s not my fault. They have an obligation to do the right thing and pay me for my guitar. It’s not like I forced them to take on this sale. It’s clear that they have poor business ethics and practices. Take your money and products elsewhere.

Edit: after finally receiving my money, I’m changing my review from one star to three. I wish communication were better during the whole process, but they sold my guitar and eventually paid me, and that’s all I asked. Wish...