Since when are music store clerk a reliable source of information about the Oasys? Some of them are good, but so far very few have had the training to actually present the Oasys well.
My local store has an Oasys sitting in the back, all dusty and they can't even begin to explain how to navigate the touch screen. Obviously, they're not moving many units. Surprise, surprise...
I'd put this in the category of "my cousin's neibour's maid's nefew told me...".
Hi Vermeer,
That wouldn't be at Steve's Music Store would it? In Toronto, they're of the same idiocy. Keyboard clerks are a dime a dozen. The turnover rate is just ridiculous. So, I quite agree with your statement. Just popping in and browsing any music store in an area I'm visiting, I find the same bullshit, including from keyboard dept managers. What a joke. They haven't a clue. So, the old adage, "Believe nothing of what you hear..." applies, KingJ.
Cheers,
Eric
Cheers,
Jim (aka EJ2) Karma-Lab Associate Combi Developer
I went to a GC near me and found the same thing, too noisy to hear, no knowledge to explain, tons of teens banging on everything with nary a buyer in site except me. They were running a $1k off sale on the 88, however. It was complete chaos. It's not the way I want to spend my $.
As far as Sweetwater goes, I called 3 times and could never find anyone who actually knew what they were talking about.
The reality is that a unit like the O is beyond the average music store clerk, even if they are keyboard oriented, unless they own one and have had time to sit down in a quiet place and learn it.
It's not rocket science (OK maybe Karma is), but other than playing combis and programs and or hitting the Karma buttons and listening to what comes out, it takes some time & effort to learn how to intelligently demo one.
Don't get me wrong, I love mine and doubt I will ever part with it (I still have my T1, M1, & WS), but it's just not going to get demoed well in all but a very few music stores.
If I were the Korg Sales & marketing VP, I'd burn a good demo disk at the factory with someone who knows what the machine can do. It could even be interactive: "Press the Karma ON button now" or something similar. Make it a half hour deal and give the customer the best closed headphones to listen to it.
My experience buying the Oasys through Sweetwater was excellent. As an older consumer who does not have a lot of patience or spare time, I share your frustration about customer care on high-end synth products at a big walk-in store like Guitar Center. I found that my guy at Sweetwater was very well informed about the Oasys and other products. Also, I like the fact that when I call him up now, he has my profile in front of him on the computer. He knows what equipment I've bought, for what kind of projects, when, at what price, etc.
When I visit a music store, I don't have any expectations that the salesman will know anything substantial about the products. If I'm going to spend a lot of money on anything, I do my research so I know my options, the pros and cons, etc. When I go to the store, I'm only looking to try it in person. The only expectation (or hope) I have of the salesman is that they'll give me a good price
If you're going to spend $7-8K on a keyboard, thoroughly do your homework. Most people who would even consider spending that much on a synth are already enthusiasts who know more than any retail music salesman.
+1. Most salespeople are worse than useless, and I have no expectations of getting any accurate info from them.
Over the years I've met one or two salespeople that really knew their stuff, but it seems like most people don't have the enthusiasm that we do for our gear, & are just their to collect their paycheck.
How could you work all day beside an Oasys (or any cool new synth, for that matter), day in & day out, & not want to spend a few hours learning how to use it... not because you had to, but because it's fun!!
Bach42t wrote:I was suprised that one of the largest Guitar Center's in the country, Seattle, doesn't have the Oasys on demo setup anymore. When I asked the manager there, he said they are not stocking it anymore.
Interesting. That's where I bought mine.
I "visited" their demo model time and time again over a period of about a year until I was finally ready to make the leap to purchase one
