Buying a violin from a store or the internet?

Cho: Buying a violin from a store or the internet?
Recently, I went to a music store that sells violins. After finding one, I went online later and saw that the same violin online costs 200-500 dollars less (on many sites).

Is it just because the store included a case and bow?
What’s the difference with buying one from the store or from the internet?

Which is better?
I am not a beginner violinist

Answers and Views:

Answer by Red Petals
if you’re going to buy it from online, i wouldn’t recommend ebay. other than that, make sure you have all the guarantees, warranties, shipping insurance, etc. and that the seller has a good credit/feedback. when in doubt, don’t buy it.

Answer by grandmasgirl108
You should buy one from the store because then you can actually see what your buying in person. If you buy one off the internet you could get a messed up or broken violin, or maybe the color on your computer doesn’t match the color violin you got. Maybe it’s the wrong style. Maybe they start sending you a bunch of spam later in the mail. There are so many things that can go wrong when you order things on-line.

Answer by wannacook
Always purchase an instrument from a store. If you have a problem you have someone to go to and have it resolved, from a replacement right then and there to possible service on the instrument, if they have the capability. Otherwise, your left waiting to speak to anyone, and you still don’t have an instrument that plays properly.
On the issue of of case and bow, sometimes the bow is worth much more than the stringed instrument. I’d advise you to do some research and see if there are any reviews on this particular model violin. Also remember, that stringed instruments are all different and may play 10 of the same model and they will all have just enough difference. The one you played in the music store will not be the same as any other. The wood could be more dense or the fitting of the neck was just a hair different, you have to play them. Also, don’t let a salesperson rush you into a decision, your willing to pay they have to be willing to answer your questions. Be careful and have fun…good luck!

Answer by cconsaul
If you are dealing with a reputable online dealer that has a good return policy (100% satisfaction guaranteed) then there is absolutely no reason to avoid shopping online. If you already know the make and model of the violin you want, and it is exactly the same one, print out the page and take it to the free standing store. They are going to give you a whole line about the expense of stocking and setting instruments up before they leave the store, but most online dealers do that as well. Next they will tell you that it costs money to keep the store open and if you don’t buy the instruments from them, they won’t be there when you need strings and rosin and sheet music. Hit them back with “From the price of your strings, rosin and music, it looks like I can save at least forty to sixty percent there as well!” After you get done with the verbal repartee, they should make you an offer that is at least closer to the one that you found on the internet. If you can live with it, then pick up the instrument (after they do all of that wonderful setting up, put a set of fresh strings on it for you, and upgrade the bow) put it in the case and take it home.

It really is in your best interest to do your business locally when you can, but not at a 200 – 400% profit margin. Always ask for a professional or student discount. Always comparison shop before you pin down a price. Watch out, because many manufacturers will sell a slightly different model number online, so the free standing stores can claim they have something superior that they can charge more for.

If you decide to buy the violin online, it should also come with a case, a bow (which you will probably want to replace as soon as possible) at least a small cake of rosin, and a shoulder strap for the case. If you communicate with the site directly, by e-mail or phone, you can often upgrade the case and bow for little money and get a couple of sets of strings to boot. It’s amazing how accommodating people can be when they actually WANT your business.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your imminent purchase. I stuck a couple of links below of sites I do business with. I am not recommending them over everybody else, but they do right by me so it’s only fair that I mention them. Besides, I need them to stay in business so I can keep getting stuff from them. Enjoy.

Answer by Morgan Landry
Buying from a reputable source on the net will always land you the best price. I say best price because sometimes the servicing end can get difficult to obtain and one may have to ship the instrument to some far off point for servicing. However, that very rarely ever happens and its the same thing that the instrument dealer, local or otherwise, would have to do irregardless. With a good instrument, however, there shouldn’t be any servicing needed. I have found the internet to be much, much better. The day of the local music store is coming to an point where the stores will need to change their venue or go under because their markups are entirely too much and the world has shrunk with the coming of the internet. The internet has made the instrument market much more competitive and musicians now have a much greater choice. Hope that helps.

Answer by Madeleine K
It depends on which website u found the violin on. If its a website that u can trust go for it!!!!!! You should also find out how much a case and a bow would cost so u could find out which is the better deal

Answer by tubaplayingviolinst
Sometimes it is cheaper from an Internet site because they don’t have the overhead of paying for a storefront and salesmen. I have students who have bought form stores and Internet sites (not eBay) and as long as you have a trial period and guarantees/warranties then you should be OK. Never buy it without test driving it. Each instrument is unique so even though you found the “same” instrument on the Internet its not necessarily going to sound or feel the same. Like I said before, always play the instrument before you buy it.
If you want to buy locally you can use the Internet site as a bargaining chip. Better yet, order the one off the Internet (Make sure it has 100% return trial period) and then take it into the shop to compare. The bow and case can be a factor in the price as well. It depends on the cost of them seperately. Since you’re not a beginner, I would avoid the package deals because you have more options that way. Find an instrument you’re happy with and then later find a bow that matches/compliments your instrument. Hope this helps. Good Luck!