Information & Guides . . .

It's tempting to make decisions based on price alone. Music instruments and equipment - even relatively inexpensive gear - costs more than most daily purchases.  Making a smart purchase doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money; it means finding the best value for a product you're happy with.

BUY FROM REPUTABLE SELLERS

You have a lot of options when it comes to shopping for musical instruments and gear. Whether you're buying from a dealer or an individual, at a retail location, online, or private sale, make sure the seller is willing to stand behind the sale.  Ask if you can return your purchase for a full refund or exchange if you discover it's defective.  If there's no guarantee offered, the sale price should be much less than for a similar product that is guaranteed.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Resist the urge to buy music gear, especially instruments, on impulse.  There's a reason that musical instruments come in different sizes, shapes, and styles; when it comes to music gear, there is no "one-size-fits-all". If it isn't possible to hold, strum, or examine a product before buying, ask if it can be returned even if there are no defects - just because it doesn't feel right, look right, or sound right.  Dave's Music Gear and Accessories offers a 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee on everything we sell in addition to manufacturer warranties on new products.  

BEWARE OF IMITATION PRODUCTS

Unfortunately, cheap imitations are becoming more common. The counterfeit industry is not only disappointing and potentially dangerous, fake products drive up costs for legitimate manufacturers and vendors.  Be very careful about what you buy and who you buy from.

It may not matter much if you inadvertently purchase an imitation Fender guitar strap. On the other hand, if you're stuck with a counterfeit Shure stage mic you've got a HUGE problem.  Overall appearance and packaging may look nearly identical to genuine products, but there's no comparison in performance.  So how do you protect yourself against fraudulent products?

"PLAY" IT SAFE

It's possible to find great bargains on genuine products through certain U.S. and overseas discount outlets, online auction sites, or from local online market places. The only problem with these sources is that they're often not legally or morally held to the same level of integrity as well established online and local retailers are.  Trust your instincts; if you have concerns about a seller, or if the deal seems "too good to be true", you might want to consider other options.

Dave's Music Gear and Accessories buys new products direct from manufacturers or factory-certified vendors - never from cut-rate suppliers.  Used gear is carefully inspected and tested for quality, and your purchase is always guaranteed to be right!