Regular customers and web site visitors will have noticed that I recently announced plans to call it a day (late 2025) – In part as I’ve now reached the age of a pensioner – However I’ve had a change of mind and had to adjust such plans – In part due to a change of personal circumstances which I don’t want to go into here – In part as I still have too much stock, to let it all be sold via the various guitar shows that I exhibit at
The long term plan was to eventually work from home – But as the stock level is currently too high (physically too many guitars in stock, inc my own collection) coupled with a high financial value, to the point that I would not be happy with such assets stored at home – The shop is far more secure including alarm/security etc
Therefore Guitars4You will continue albeit with some changes – Quality not quantity will remain my ethos – I’ll continue to only sell used classic guitars, along with the odd vintage piece, as and when I acquire the right example – But I have decided to open Tuesday and Thursday’s only, from 10am to 2.30pm – So no longer an appointment only format, as per the previous 6 years – I appreciate the hours may not be suitable for everyone, but I’m still a pensioner and no longer feel that I need to run the business on a 9-5 day full time basis – Plus with 18 guitar shows in place for 2026, I won’t be available for many Saturday’s, Sunday’s and Monday’s – So no longer do I operate an appointment option, but am now open Tuesday + Thursday 10am-2.30pm
Plus and somewhat of a surprise to many – I no longer offer a mail order service – Based on the fact that for many dealers, mail order generates the highest % of sales – As an old fashioned retailer, who was brought up in the days when 100% of your business was as a result of a showroom visit , I’ve always preferred this option – Yet I’ve acquired many customers who have ‘become friends’ and in most cases I have never actually met these customers – But somehow you still create a nice bond over the phone – But and it is a huge BUT – In the last 3 years I have been stung for around 10K on 3 different transaction – I think I’m quite savvy and aware of many fraudulent issues, but these guys are getting better – And unfortunately I’ve lost 3 guitars and £10,000 in the last 3 years – For a small business this hurts big time – Unfortunately the police are 100% a pain on this and not interested one little bit – On top of that, I’ve never been a fan of the 14 day return period – Effectively a 14 day trial – In many cases it was not an issue as a) returns were not that frequent and b) customers would update me about any return within an hour or so from evaluating the guitar – Nearly always, any returns were based on feel, tone, playability, which I fully appreciate, as against a defective product – So who needs 14 days to evaluate a guitar – But today, it has now got to the stage whereby many ‘new customers’ are taking the piss – I can’t argue against the law and your rights, but equally I don’t have to join the battle – I even had a case recently, of a customer returning a 60’s ‘vintage guitar’ – But on inspection I realised they had taken off the original tuners, replaced them with some ‘aged’ replicas and hoping I wouldn’t notice – I assume to keep the original tuners for his own needs – Maybe they’d get away with it whereby the shop employers a ‘junior’ member of staff for unpacking returns etc as they’d probably not notice – At first they denied such an issue, claiming that is how they received it, but fortunately the before and after pics were good enough to please the credit card company and I won the battle, but it was a long winded ‘fight’ with both the customer and card company – So I got back the original tuners before I issued the refund – In short I don’t need such sales and battles
So the bottom line is that I’m still here for now – So come and say hi if you can – Or call me on 07831-444429 6 days (closed Sunday) between 9am and 6pm – Look forward to seeing some ‘old familiar faces’ and indeed some new customers – So get back in touch if you need any additional info etc etc – Take care and best wishes – Mark
MAIL ORDER - click here to read about our mail order policy
For additional product info, or to chat about a showroom visit (Open Tues + Thurs 10am-2.30pm) then please do not hesitate to contact me - Call 07831 444429 (available 9am-6pm - 6 days - Not available Sunday) or e-mail me on mark@guitars4you.co.uk
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Guitars4You is not another corporate high street guitar store - My selection of premium grade guitars is about quality not quantity. Every guitar has been selected, inspected and approved by me, with particular attention to the set-up and playing performance. Every sale, phone call, email and mail order transaction is handled by me. A journey that is now over 50 years old, has fuelled my knowledge, experience, love, devotion and passion for exceptionally fine guitars.