Curious guitar shop practice

[wemedge]

I just got back from my local chain guitar store.

Was lining up to buy a pack of strings and noticed something-

The guy before me was purchasing an acoustic. While ringing it up, the salesman behind the counter casually played a few riffs, holding the guitar sans strap, pressed against his belly (and against his passkey, etc on a loop around his neck).

Seen this a few times before. Curious practice. I suppose at the point of sale the guitar still belongs to the store, but if one were buying something else, this practice would be quite funny if the person behind the counter tried it on a few times first. ha.

I know the guitar would have been picked up and played countless times in the showroom; perhaps the guy was just checking the guitar to make sure it was ok but it sure looked like he was noodling absentmindedly as he was ringing it up.

Any one else notice this?

(Absolutely no offense intended to anyone; I know sales is not easy. Just sharing an observation.)

wemedge

 

[apocalypsebob]

at a place I go to they take it of the wall, set it up for you, and play it to check everything out right at the counter...doesn't seem all that curious to me...seems like a shop that cares about the product they sell, wouldn't bother me a bit

as for the pass key thing, I really don't think that offers a substantial threat to the guitar, after all it will surely meet your belt buckle and what not a lot harder than that

 

[Benjammin]

I know what you mean, I think its weird, its not mine until I hand them the money, but if I picked it off the wall, brought it to the counter and say I want to buy it, its mind in my head, anything to they do then is done to/with my guitar. But the guy strumming some chords isnt a big offense in my mind, but if I had a doubt I would say something to them, or simply not buy the guitar.

 

[Lurcher]

The guys in my local store never, ever play any guitar. One plays bass only and the other is a drummer. Last time I was in, I told them the LP Standard needed a setup. They handed me a screwdriver.

 

[Ermghoti]

I'd think nothing of it. If I bought a tennis racquet, should I be shocked if the clerk swung it a couple times to test its heft? He might be unfamiliar with that particular guitar, might be lending a sense of approval to your purchase, it may be a favorite of his, and he just wanted to give it a last strum on its way out.

 

[Oranjeaap]

Well, if they set it up for you, i would appreciate to hear a few chords to listen of the set up is any good.

 

[DRF]

The guy before me was purchasing an acoustic.AAARRRRRGGGGHHHH

 

[zontar]

Never seen that happen, anytime I bought a guitar.

I once took a guitar back after a week or so to get a set up that came free with buying the guitar (The same guitar was more at other stores without the set up)
He watched me play then asked some questions and set it up--strummed a couple of chords and gave ti to me to try.

That's the closest I ever came to the OP scenario (And the guitar I was buying was an acoustic 12 string)