CME has a new owner

[8mileshigh]

Can only be a good thing......right? I much prefer to see prices on their inventory.

Their email says.........

It's time for a change

THE NEW CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE WEBSITE IS OPEN
AND A SURPRISE IS WAITING FOR YOU

Hello,

Over the last 20 years, Chicago Music Exchange has evolved into one of the premier vintage guitar and amp stores in the country, now a must-see destination for collectors, musicians, and fans. But until now, our web site was missing something for customers around the world like you.

I invite you to come and explore the new ChicagoMusicExchange.com. I'm the new owner, and one of my top priorities has been to make the online store really rock. Just look at some of the changes we made based on customer comments:

Prices on everything. That means every vintage guitar has a stated asking price, and of course all new and used guitars, amps, gear and accessories.
3 days to inspect vintage. We're so confident about quality and authenticity of our guitars and amps, we're willing to give you extra time to inspect after you buy (Unheard of! Read our full policy).
Most new items ship free. It's true that we want to compete for more of your 'new' business. We stock 1000s of select new guitars, amps, gear, and accessories that ship free via domestic UPS ground service.
Plus, as an added surprise a 5% discount will be applied to your next online purchase, no strings attached, no codes to enter. Whether you buy online a new Polytune pedal or a Fender Strat with a gig bag, or both, your next order is 5% off.

I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to come check out our new web site. By the way, I'd love to hear your opinion of our online store. Don't be bashful. I personally answer every email, and I really appreciate your interest. We intend to earn your business.

Yours truly,

David Kalt
CEO/Owner
Chicago Music Exchange
[email protected]
773-525-7773

[jingle_jangle]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/ ... ge_id=1848

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSIN20 ... PS20070822

http://reverbfunds.com/whoweare/

CME is now owned by David's holding company, Reverb Music, LLC.

[s4001]

Let's see how this pans out.

[libratune]

Here's the link: http://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/

[johnallg]

Just maybe???

[360girl]

I hope CME's prices improve. I went there a couple of times last year. The playing rooms were cool (it was FUN blasting on a CP Jazzmaster, through a cranked Orange Rockerverb 100, running through a 4x12), but not only did the trip down suck both times (I went dirctly from work [in Racine, WI], saving me 27 miles of drving) due to the rush hour traffic (it took me an hour to go 10 miles on the Eden Expressway), and parking was a hassle, they wouldn't haggle at all on a Gretsch Brian Setzer Hotrod I wanted to trade towards an 80s MIJ Fender Jaguar.

[JakeK]

I don't know, I really don't know...

[chucksimms]

I found out the hard way this week: still the same store.

[jingle_jangle]

I'm still for giving them time. It's too short a time to make conclusive judgments.

[chucksimms]

I'm basing it on the fact that we were negotiating a trade/purchase that yesterday was my guitar and $3000 for one of their vintage Ricks. I responded 'yes' at the end of the day and this morning was informed that it was now $4500 and my guitar. I'd say that's pretty conclusive.

[sloop_john_b]

Oof! Chuck, your rarer guitar plus $3k?

[johnhall]

This sounds like a residual problem at the store employee level. I get the sense that the new owner is a really straight shooter and would probably like to hear about experiences that are not satisfactory. I suggest anyone who has been unhappy with the operation under the new owner contact him directly at [email protected].

I don't think it would be fair to hit him with items strictly concerning valuation or price, for instance, as that's very much a discretionary matter for any business; they either earn your business or not. However, changing deals or other unscrupulous behavior should certainly be brought to his attention.

[chucksimms]

You may well be correct in your assessment, Mr. Hall. Thanks for the e-mail address- I'll contact him with my concerns.

[chucksimms]

Well, to his credit the new owner did contact me. No positive result from my perspective and I won't be doing business with them again.

[ricmic]

I did not enjoy a good buying experience from the old guard. I hope the new one fares better. Mark