Buy a Guitar, Change the World

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Music Authority Family Newsletter - December 18, 2018 It's the adventures of Sparkles and helping you race to the finish of the holiday season this week in the Music Authority Family Newsletter. Buy a Guitar, Change the World (Locally) News that Parson's is closing, after over 140 years in business, hit me pretty hard last week.  It was a reminder that being a local business is difficult.  From credit card processing fees (imagine what Music Authority could do with an extra $2,000 per month) to insurance (you don't even want to know that number) to Snow Days (the average snow day costs the store almost $2,000 in lost lessons alone). For those of us who struggle through the hard times to enjoy the good, it's about passion.  We love what we do.  We never go to work. Why should you buy locally when it's easier to stop by that big box store that stocks guitars at Christmas?  Or even better, pull up Amazon and order online! A local business is local.  Music Authority has a staff of over 30 people.  We're all local, spending money locally, paying taxes locally, and supporting local charity.  When you support one local business, you're actually spreading your dollars through your own community.  I buy groceries at the Cumming Harvest Farmers Market (supporting local growers).  I shop at the Collection (providing jobs and supporting local artisans).  I pay taxes in Forsyth County.  I am not a CEO in another state. A thriving sales floor is necessary to the music school.  Sales support the store in a way that allows us to keep our lessons prices as low as possible.  If we stop sales, either lessons prices must go up or the lessons programs will close. Music Authority provides jobs to the community (over 30 of them) and hires from our own customer and student base when possible.  We also support local charity, both publicly and privately.  A portion of every dollar you spend at Music Authority goes back into the community through charities like CASA of Forsyth County, Music4CHIEF, The Forsyth County Humane Society, and more. And then there's service.  If you have a problem with anything you purchase from us, you have the opportunity to come in and talk to the owner of the store.  We'll always do our best to make it right.  We've replaced guitars, cables, fixed amps, and gone to the manufacturer to fight on behalf of our customer.  Need a repair to your Taylor Guitar?  No problem.  We're a Silver Certified Taylor Repair Shop. I know it's easy to sit at your kitchen table, sipping coffee, still in your slippers and pjs.  Amazon comes up on your phone, a few taps of your fingers, and boom!  That guitar is on it's way to your house. It takes time to get dressed (honestly, come on down in your PJ's.  We won't mind.).  It takes effort to get in your car and drive down.  But once you get here. we'll work with you to figure out what is the right purchase for you.  (Not try to sell you the guitar our vendor is pushing us to sell.)  We'll listen to your needs, your budget, why the color red is important, and Andrew will even make you a cup of coffee if you like. Local businesses are important to the life of a community.  We're proud to be part of Forsyth County.  We're proud to be part of the community of Music Authority Family.  And we hope, with your help, we will be here for years to come. - Melissa A. Loggins, Owner #MusicAuthorityFamily   Click Here to Log In to Your Lessons Account The Adventures of Sparkles Have you noticed our elf, Sparkles, this year?  She's been all about gratitude this year - leaving thank you gift for teachers and staff (and for the staff's pets), showing up at concerts (sometimes on stage), and helping with decorations.  Look for her the next time you're at Music Authority! Pedals - The Perfect Stocking Stuffer Whether you have a beginning guitarist or bassist, or a professional in your house, pedals are always a welcome addition to any guitar or bass rig.  Students should all start with a pedal tuner.  Not the most fun of pedals, it IS the most important pedal on the pedal board.  Stop by today and we'll talk to you about your pedal options! Free Lessons Giveaway Pay your statement in full on time, be entered to win a month of free lessons in February.   Rules: 1.        Your statement must be paid in full by the end of the last lesson your student attends in December.  (You must have a balance of $0.)  2.        Your student must have actively attended lessons in December.  3.       Free month of lessons is good for February only, for one student on one instrument.  Missed lessons must e made up, no credits will be issued for free lessons.  4.       The value of the free lessons prize is $105.00.  5.       Drawing will take place in January.  Winner will be notified before February payments are due. Not in Lessons at Music Authority? Sign Up Here! Merry Christmas from Music Authority's Eclipse! Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? 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