Matt Umanov Guitars — Local services in New York

If you walk in to Matt Umanov's, when you walk out, make sure you still have your shirt.

Summary: Matt Umanov reduced his manager's offer for an instrument I sold on consignment by 60%.

On 8/3/2016, I brought a 1918 Gibson mandolin to sell on consignment. I had purchased this instrument at Umanov's in 1987. Danny Reisbick, the store manager, took the mandolin to the shop or his office and examined it for 10-20 minutes. He came back and said he would take it on consignment. I would have to pay $350 for needed repairs and that I would receive $1350 when it is sold, for a net of $1000. I asked if the $1000 amount was an estimate; he replied no, it is a commitment. I agreed to the deal. He said I would have to return another day to sign paperwork.

One or two days later, Matt Umanov called me back. He said the instrument had problems and he was revising the offer. I would receive $400 if I sold it on consignment after paying for repairs (compared to $1000 that the store manager offered me--a 60% reduction) or $300 if I sold it outright. I accepted his terms and came in and completed the paperwork, and received a check for $300.

The next day I realized that Mr. Umanov had broken the commitment that the store manager made to me by reducing the net amount I would receive from $1000 to $400. I decided to try to reverse the transaction. I called Mr. Umanov one business day after completing the deal and requested to get the mandolin back and return the check. I asked several times but Mr. Umanov flatly refused. Mr. Umanov stated that he had been doing business for about 46 years and he knew that his actions were legal and binding, and even if I went to court, I would not prevail. In other words, he snookered me, in my opinion.

I erred in not realizing initially that Mr. Umanov backed out of a commitment his store manager made to me, but I realized it a day later. Mr. Umanov's position was that he was legally entitled to refuse my request to reverse the transaction. I was shocked that he seemed to me to be so enthusiastic, even gleeful, about refusing my request. It seemed to me that he enjoyed getting the better of me. I was surprised because I had a long business and personal history with the shop.

Mr. Umanov has a lot of fine instruments in his store. It is too bad that, in my opinion, he seems to enjoy making money by snookering...

This is the WORST guitar store I have ever been to! The first time I went there was in November 2013 and I walked in and straight to the back of the store to where the electric instruments were. Immediately, before I had a chance to really have a look at what they had, one of the sales assistants came up to me, looked me up and down like I was in Pretty Woman or something and asked if I was looking for something in particular!

I asked if they had a vintage section and the guy snottily replied "you're in it!!" and pointed to a wall of old looking fenders. I then replied that they are all custom shop relics. He says yea well I have a 70's Fender Mustang and walks over to behind the counter and pulls out the Mustang for something like $2000!! (The most expensive Mustang i've ever come across)

He then asked if there was anything in particular that I was looking for and I said yes im looking for a 1960's Fender Electric 12 String. He said I have a Rickenbacker 12 string and when I said I was looking for the Fender specifically he just scoffed and walked away!

So then this year, February 2015, I was in the West Village again and decided i'm walking past so I might as well have a look! I walk in and was immediately greeted by a friendly sales assistant who welcomed me to the store! So that was nice! Then I walk to the back of the store where the guitars are and there is a barrier set up, like you see in a museum or something, 3 feet away from the guitars to really emphasise the point that you can look but don't touch!!!

I turned right around and walked out!!!

If you're in the NY area and want to get treated well I highly recommend Main Drag Music and Southside Guitars in Brooklyn, or Chelsea Guitars in NYC and even Guitar Center and Sam Ash have great vintage rooms with FRIENDLY staff and their guitars are not overpriced!!

Stay out of Matt Umanov guitars and don't...

Really great shop on Bleecker, came as a tourist left as a customer because of the guys in there. Bought a Gretsch New Yorker, but that was only after playing for 20 minutes and chatting for another 20 because it's one of the least pressuring music shops I've ever been in, which means a lot to me.

Ardell ( I think that was the guys name) couldn't have been nicer, more knowledgable or more helpful - great guy. Whilst he helped me the other guy in the shop showed my wife "here comes the sun" on Uke and the basics of Uke playing, full well knowing that she was just a by stander and that that she was there waiting for me to try the guitar, but that's their greatest strength - they're in there for the music and enthusiastic engagement first they just happen to sell guitars as well (although I'll say the Uke sounded so good we almost walked out with one of those as well)

Great people,...