Taking the pain out of buying a musical instrument online

Nowadays, savvy buyers are seeking online resources to purchase everything from groceries to musical instruments. Here's how to make wise decisions regarding your online musical-instrument purchasing.

Nowadays, savvy buyers are heading to the Internet when they want to purchase every conceivable variety of goods and services - anything from groceries to floral deliveries. Even musical instruments. If you're looking to buy an instrument for yourself or a loved one - or as a gift for someone special, there are a few things you should know before you plunk down your hard-earned money.

Research your instruments - Don't buy without knowing what it is you're getting. You should research your desired instrument before you buy - among other things, you'll learn about the different features of each instrument you're thinking about buying.

For example, if you're interested in buying a guitar, there are plenty of things to consider. Do you want an electric guitar or an acoustic one? How about the number of strings: Six? Seven? Twelve? What about accessories? Do you want to get one with a whammy bar (to do your Pete Townsend impression) or are you simply looking to learn a few basic chords so you can strum along with your favorite folk CD? Either way, know what you want before you buy.

Research various brands - When you begin researching musical instruments you're interested in, it's best to know what you want or - when buying an instrument as a gift - what your recipient wants. You also want to know what you're getting before you buy.

Maybe Junior's been wishing for a simple Walden D351 acoustic guitar. If so, you don't want to assume he'd be just as happy with the Schecter Hellraiser C1 electric. That puppy might be more guitar than he can handle. It's best to know beforehand what Junior really wants - to avoid the hassle of having to return the unwanted item and then order the one he wanted all along not to mention disappointing the little tyke on his big day.

We've touched on guitars, but suppose you're looking for a different stringed instrument, like a banjo, mandolin, ukulele or harp - or a less-common instrument, like crystal flutes or piccolos or hand drums. With these, the same rules apply: Be aware of various brands of musical instruments available to you; know the intended recipient - and know which features you're looking for in an instrument.

Get to know your dealer - You should always buy from a dealer you can trust - especially when you're buying a product you're not entirely familiar with. And this is particularly important when you're shopping online. You should be able to trust your dealer not to try to talk you into buying a higher-priced item just to make some extra money off an unsuspecting customer.

Reliable merchants know a few dollars' profit isn't worth jeopardizing a potential long-term relationship with someone who might end up being a repeat customer. Find yourself a knowledgeable and reputable dealer who'll help you find just what you're looking for.

And remember: if you've got questions about a particular brand or model of instrument, ask. A responsible dealer will welcome the opportunity to educate and inform you about the different options available to you. Even if you think it might be a stupid question, ask it anyway. The truth is, there are no stupid questions, only unasked ones. And unasked questions don't ever get answered. And that doesn't help anybody.

When buying a musical instrument online, remember Fortuna Music Mart carries a range of stringed instruments (bass, banjos, guitars, mandolins and ukuleles), plus the Kustom line of amplifiers and an eclectic selection of crystal flutes and hand drums. For more information about Fortuna Music Mart, visit www.FortunaMusicMart.com.

About the Author

Please visit www.fortunamusicmart.com. Walden Guitars and more.