So I was interested in buying a new computer as I needed something powerful enough to run the programs I needed to use for school. I got onto one of my favorite websites for audio related equipment www.sweetwater.com. After searching for about 5 seconds, I found the sweetwater creation stations. I looked through the four models and decided on the one that I was interested in, the Creation Station 1500. It was unclear from the description if the processing power and hardware were going to be enough to run my programs to my satisfaction. I don't normally try to talk to salesmen as I am not interested in being hit up to buy extra things that I don't need for prices that I don't want to pay. This time however, I took a chance and emailed the regional representative, Allen. The only reason I decided to talk to one of the representatives was because everybody I know who has used sweetwater swears by them and refuses to use anybody else for their audio/video needs. Within about 30 min, I received a response from the rep containing a precise answer to my question as well as a question of his own. Surprisingly his question was not something like "have you considered this item instead?" or "how about this to go along with it?". He asked me what my current machine was so he could assist me with whether I even need to spend the money on a new computer or not. I was pleasantly surprised that I was not being asked to fulfill a quota or rack up commission. I replied back with a rather complicated answer and another question. I soon recieved a phone call from a number I didn't recognize so I ignored it and waited to see if they left a message. I checked the message later and it was Allen. He said that because of the complexity of my last email, he felt more comfortable talking to me over the phone so that I wouldn't be confused by his answer. Again, I was both surprised and very appreciative. At this point, I didn't need anymore information about sweetwater to know that I would never use anybody else. I returned Allen's phone call and we talked for about two hours. First about my inquiry about the computer, then about how I'm an audio student and the techniques and equipment I'm familiar with and his opinions and experience with them. Then a little about his family and what it's like to work at sweetwater, and my family life and my future career.
After all said and done, I ended up buying a different computer from sweetwater, for less money and more power for what I needed because Allen asked me the right questions and helped me to find the correct equipment for my purpose. I have now talked with Allen several times about other items I've purchased from sweetwater. He asked me, jokingly at one point "are you making you're own studio now Kyle? I see you've purchased all these items and I was wondering if I could rent some time from you?"
Sweetwater is based out of Indiana. It is far away and I've never been to their location, however, I refuse to buy anything from anybody else. I will often make trips to Guitar Center and Sam Ash to see the items I want in person before I buy them, but I always get on sweetwater when I'm ready to buy. Their customer service is fantastic. Their webiste is very well made and easy to use. Their prices are great, and most of all, their in-house warranties and return policies are worth every penny. I can't see myself using anybody but Sweetwater for the rest of my life.
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