Ed Roman's opinion on Guild factories

[adorshki]

Many experts have been able for years to make a living by providing hard-to-find knowledge, and by making good deals on various items like guitars because of that knowledge. Now it's way harder - its much easier for us amateurs to find arcane knowledge, and markets like eBay make it simple for individuals to sell instruments
But sometimes the ignorant sellers and poor disclosures make bad deals inevitable. It's not easy for people whose businesses depend on such expertise to compete...and we expect, nay, demand, that guys like Jay meet the "best" price. He offers real knowledge, real service and real means...The problem is finding a way for that extra service and knowledge to come through the web with a reasonable return to the provider.

Agree 110%. It's the old "triangle", it's still universally relevant: price/service/quality...nobody can ever be better than everybody else on more than two points at a time. I think the sad truth is most consumers these days haven't experienced true service or quality so all they care about anymore is price. There are, fortunately, enilghtened souls out there for whom "the light goes on" when they experience the real thing for the first time.

 

[fronobulax]

Wow. How do pompous ba$tards like this stay in business? He makes Jay at New Hope sound tame by comparison. I had a fairly long talk with Jay a couple of weeks ago, and he just about had a coronary when I mentioned to him that I belonged here. He went into this long diatribe about how the internet, eBay, Craigslist, and this place are ruining his business, and went on to say that all anyone does here is brag about how cheap they got this or that Guild (which I know is not the truth). I didn't want to say it to him, but why should we pay extra for his expertise buying a guitar when most of it possess it already? :roll:

This Jay? Considering the number of businesses that are in trouble or gone because of the internet, eBay, etc. (think bookstores, new or used) it doesn't sound like a rant as much as a statement of fact. :shock:

 

[Scratch]

I have no idea who Ed Roman is and, quite frankly, I don't care. He has an opinion as do we.

My wife and I met Jay at Arlington and visited his booth in 2007 & 2009. Pam nor I consider Jay personable, however, I think he's an honest businessman. I virtually traded a Guild M65 with him for a G-37 a couple of years ago. It was a fair and equitable deal and I'd transact with him again.

 

[dreadnut]

The ones who stay in business will be those who figure out how to best utilize the web as part of their strategic business plan. Instead of complaining about it, seems to me they'll figure out how to use it to their own economic advantage.

 

[West R Lee]

Jay gave me his CD a few years ago, and he played with us in Arlington last year.

West

 

[coastie99]

Ed Rumen sounds like the kind of guy who should never travel abroad !

I feel truly sorry for Americans when I encounter the ( few ) loud, opinionated ones here in our tourist spots.

 

[Mr. Bill]

Broad sweeping statements are like the wind.

I had a Black SF III made in Corona and it was one of the nicest highest quality guitars I have ever owned next to my Gretsch's. Alas I have an obsession about block inlays so I sold it. But it was a beauty!

 

[JerryR]

Broad sweeping statements are like the wind.

Which end :?: :mrgreen: