Dawson's?

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JetfireJetfire Frets: 1687
Just read that Dawsons are closing their stores?

(Apologies if a dup post)
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  • dazzajldazzajl Frets: 5654
    I’m sure I read that some are closing. That’s sad enough, I hope it’s not become all?
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  • Yes I’ve just read a thread on FB about this. Apparently closing ‘all’ stores
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  • timmypixtimmypix Frets: 2304
    Nothing on their website, at least from a quick browse, other than all stores have clearance sales that aren't listed online. Might have to pop into town soon!
    Tim
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  • kaypeejaykaypeejay Frets: 776
    I'd heard that a few were closing, the Huddersfield one for instance, but not all. Massive shame.
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  • tony99tony99 Frets: 7076
    Oh FFS, have they really got R7's at £2999 ??? Can anyone else smell gas??
    Bollocks you don't know Bono !!
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  • Source?
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  • JetfireJetfire Frets: 1687
    Fb sadly
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  • SlopeSoarerSlopeSoarer Frets: 782
    Admittedly I normally only go in guitar shops mid week but in general they always seem to be empty. Reidys at Blackburn is an awesome place with a fantastic stock but again generally empty. I often wonder how much of their sales is mail order and if it feasible for them to maintain high stock level in large premises with what appears to be low footfall.

    Having said that they are probably rammed at weekends: )
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  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14036
    edited April 2019 tFB Trader
    They closed 3 stores a few weeks ago - Warrington, Huddersfield and one other (can't recall) - Think they are now empty shops - They had some crazy deals 2/3 weeks ago

    I know they have new owners - Venture Capitalists - But unsure what their game is at this stage 
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  • tony99tony99 Frets: 7076
    They closed 3 stores a few weeks ago - Warrington, Huddersfield and one other (can't recall) - Think they are now empty shops - They had some crazy deals 2/3 weeks ago

    I know they have no owners - Venture Capitalists - But unsure what their game is at this stage 
    How crazy we talkin' here big papa??? Talk to me come on, I got fat gas hombre and it ain't goin' away
    Bollocks you don't know Bono !!
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  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14036
    tFB Trader
    tony99 said:
    They closed 3 stores a few weeks ago - Warrington, Huddersfield and one other (can't recall) - Think they are now empty shops - They had some crazy deals 2/3 weeks ago

    I know they have new owners - Venture Capitalists - But unsure what their game is at this stage 
    How crazy we talkin' here big papa??? Talk to me come on, I got fat gas hombre and it ain't goin' away
    Not heard anything other than the 3 closures - Other store closure was Altrincham - spelling error on my first op - should have said 'new owners' and not 'no owners' - edit made

    They were purchased by SKG (a private equity firm who specialise in turn a rounds) at the end of 2018 - But at this stage I don't know more
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  • Closing stores to concentrate on online sales perhaps? 

    I know from the frustrated staff at Huddersfield before it closed, they were playing second fiddle to online. They weren't even allowed to unpack some new stock to display it. You had to buy it boxed or not at all. 

    My Trading Feedback    |    You Bring The Band

    Just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after you
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  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14036
    tFB Trader
    Closing stores to concentrate on online sales perhaps? 

    I know from the frustrated staff at Huddersfield before it closed, they were playing second fiddle to online. They weren't even allowed to unpack some new stock to display it. You had to buy it boxed or not at all. 
    I had e-mails from Alan and Rob just before they shut the doors Chris - Both were offered other jobs within the firm, but they didn't like what was offered so both declined - I recall your story regarding the Roland TDK kit

    Easy to sit here and guess the thought pattern of SKG, who specialist in turning a business around - I can easy make 2+2 into 4 or 5, with that info, so anything at this stage can only be speculation
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  • jeztone2jeztone2 Frets: 2160
    The steady income is in smaller purchases. Hot Rox seem to be doing alright. But they specialise in accessories and spares. I might not make a big box purchase every year. I I spank at least £300 a year on cables, stands, power supplies without fail. 
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  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14036
    tFB Trader
    jeztone2 said:
    The steady income is in smaller purchases. Hot Rox seem to be doing alright. But they specialise in accessories and spares. I might not make a big box purchase every year. I I spank at least £300 a year on cables, stands, power supplies without fail. 
    There are probably 5-10 big operators in our trade including Thomann - Therefore it will be very hard to compete against these guys, if your offering is the same best selling Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Marshall, Yamaha type of products  - Therefore an independent needs to adopt a business plan that ensures they can not only compete with the big guys, but can beat them in certain areas - HotRox do a good job of this in the product areas they specialise in 
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  • prowlaprowla Frets: 4896
    I have to say that I don't have a lot of luck at Dawsons; they've got synth stuff but aren't very knowledgeable and the guitar section is all a bit sterile.

    Over the past 10 years I've bought an fx pedal there and one or two sets of guitar strings.

    I don't know if I've been to my nearest one this year.
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  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14036
    tFB Trader
    prowla said:
     the guitar section is all a bit sterile.


    That is how I see it - Almost as though if NEXT opened a guitar store it would be like that - It isn't crap, but it is not exciting is it ?
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  • chrisj1602chrisj1602 Frets: 3895
    The Stockport store was small and friendly, I spent a lot in there before it closed a few years back. Manchester was always like a Metal Zone test centre when I used to go in.
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  • In their recent sell off of Les Pauls I snagged one of those R8's for £2k online. However I got a call after a few hours saying actually the one id bought had been sold in the shop so no R8 for me. 
    Apparently their stock system Isn't automatically updated so the stores could sell the same guitar twice. Was a little annoying and the whole thing seemed a bit old fashioned. Kind of put me off buying stuff online with them. 
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  • MusicwolfMusicwolf Frets: 3627
    The original branch (Warrington) closed a few weeks ago along with Huddersfield and Altrincham. I'm originally from Warrington and I actually learned to play guitar in Dawsons (my teacher used to rent a room at the back of the record section).  I bought my first bass there (a Vox semi solid).  Sitting in my racks I still have my Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro, Baja Telecaster, Ibanez SR bass (all from Dawsons, Warrington) and my Breedlove acoustic (Dawsons, St Helens - now also closed).

    Dawsons was a big part of my (musical) life growing up, but I don't miss them.  I feel sorry for the staff who have lost their jobs, and I've no gripe with the individuals who worked there towards the end, but over the last 40 years my memories are of poor service, arrogant, opinionated and ill informed staff (not all, but too many), poor selection and high prices.  I am frankly amazed that they remained open as long as they did.
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