[Dynagroove] Idiot's and Astro Sound & Lighting

[Stace [djla.com]]

Very typical of Astro...  I've dealt with them on and off for years.
They're only useful if you know exactly what you want and how much you want
to pay for it.  Hold out cash, make and offer and head toward the door.
Sometimes they bite and I've gotten a really good deal, other times I've
gone home and mail-ordered.  I wouldn't recommend going there if your just
shopping or need honest info about the right gear for your needs.

Cosmos sound on Melrose was started by a former employee of Astro, they can
also get you some pretty good deals. Stock on hand in the show room is
limited so again, only good if you know what you want. Note: Cosmos is a
good place to rent if you need lights, fog, EON15s etc.

For (mostly) honest and reputable sales staff hit up west la music (west la
and hollywood locations).  They usually know they're shit (especially when
it comes to efx, mixers, integration of midi gear etc)  and will give fair
prices.  If something goes wrong they are great with support.  I also hear
good things about Pro Sound in O.C. (also at www.pssl.com).

The best deal if ever found is a little ghetto place on 5th and Spring
downtown.  On 5th just a few stores north of Spring on the right. I'm not
even sure if it has a name:) I have a feeling most of the stuff they get
'fell off a truck'; but if they have it, its cheap cheap cheap.

Stace.


> Here is something interesting.  I don't know if any of you know or do any
> business with Astro Sound and Lighting up in Burbank but this sunday I
> headed down there to see how much a new turntable set up would be.  I
> walked in and the guy told me he would be right with me.  20 minutes later
> he finally finds the time for me.  He introduces himself as Carlos (I
> think) and he asked me what I am looking for.  I tell him 3 Techniques, 1
> Pioneer DJ 600 mixer, and a coffin to go with them.  I told him I was
> just pricing things out.  He then goes of on this tirade about how Astro
> has the lowest prices because they are not going through distributers blah
> blah blah.  I was like OK.. "how much are Technique 1210's?" and he then
> goes off on their warranties and how they can give us a loaner if we need
> to get repairs.  Again I ask "So how much are 1210's?" he then says "What
> is a good price for you?" now about 3 years ago when I got my 1210's I
> lucked out and got them for $400 each.  so I tell him that price..  This
> guy pretty much scoffed and me and hinted that I was lying.  After some
> verbal dueling he then decided that I must have gotten refurbished
> tables.  Which I highly doubted but whatever all I wanted was a price on
> tables...  Finally after about 5 or 6 minutes of squabling he tells me
> that I should never get a lower price then $489 and again goes of on tthe
> tirade of warranties and how refurbished tables are void of
> warranties.  My friend then interjects and says "So how much would it cost
> us to walk out of here with new 1210's?" and this guy again avoided the
> question and started going in about store policies and bah blah
> blah....  Seeing that this guy did not want to give us a price I tried to
> move on.  I asked about the pioneer DJ600 mixer...  "OH well those are
> going on sale... we have them for really cheap.  In fact we are
> putting a add in Lotus Magazine."   Wow this could be progress!!  "How
> much?" I ask.  "Well what is a good price for you?"  why this guy can't
> give me any sort of price is beyond me...  So I ask how much they will be
> on sale in Lotus for and he says "well you need the add to get that
> price."  So I am thinking ok I'll just call Lotus and see if they will
> give me a copy of the add.  "So" I say "If I had the add how much would it
> cost me?"  he then replies "what do you think is a good price?"  At this
> point I am totally frustrated and I throw my hands in the air and start
> walking out.  All I wanted to do was shop around and get some prices for a
> new setup...  I tell the guy "it is obvious that you don't want to help
> me."  and the mother fucker replies to me "It is obvious that you are not
> ready to buy."  Only one other time have I ever felt so uncomfortable and
> insulted and that was when I was looking at used cars about 4 years ago
> and some salesman was completely trying to hustle me into a car I did not
> want.  The sad thing was if the price was right I would have walked out of
> there with a complete new setup.  Has anyone else had these types of
> problems and does anyone know some honest and upfront places to shop for
> this equipment?  I highly suggest people avoid Astro they obviously have
> very little respect for there customers.
> 
> Cade