My child has danced here for five years. We will never go anywhere else. We are alway impressed with the growth and improvement of all of the dancers each year. The owners provide a nurturing, high performance environment for each and every student to thrive in.
This was our first year with FVDM and we couldn’t have had a better experience. We were so impressed with the organization, professionalism, and how much our daughter grew as a dancer. I highly recommend this dance studio.
The BEST environment and classes!
Nice school, dedicated teachers but a very non-transparent fee system. The school is not transparent about its so called one time registration charges. We pulled my son away for 3 weeks for vacation and we were charged a $37 registration fee to enroll him back. The school does a good job of teaching its kids but irritates you with nickel and dime charges like this they should avoid. I have spoken with other parents who exhibit similar frustration and tell me they wish there were other such schools in the area.
4. Martel Music Store
Address: 1 Whiting St, Plainville, CT 06062 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
I bought a bogner cabinet here a year ago , great purchase fantastic condition also I was very interested in the high quality instruments great store
Great service and selection
Great stock and friendly service.
Interesting store with some interesting gear. They don’t seem to carry Fender or Gibson. They had a stomp box manufacturing class going on when I visited.
Purchased a guitar for 750, now walking out with 637. Unfortunately I was not told about a very unfair and sneaky return exchange policy until I had asked after already completing the purchase. Also could not see clearly a visible sign inside that states anything about a return policy. When I asked where the sign was upon trying to return this guitar he pointed to have a corner and I still did not see the sign. I do believe that a return policy sign should be at the register for full disclosure. The law does state you are entitled to a full refund if you are not told about the refund policy during the time of the transaction, which I was not informed of that. Limited selection and unfortunately subject to a very steep restocking fee or store credit, if you are a serious musician make sure you know this first as you know that buying instruments is quite expensive and it is hard to want to get locked into something that you do not truly love.
As one reviewer already stated. They have a terrible return policy especially with online purchases. Good store as long as you know you’re going to keep the item but who really knows, its musical gear, its hard to tell if your going to dig it or not until you play it with your rig. Returning a pedal (or probably anything) is just not worth it due the return fees. 2 stars because I received it pretty quickly but definitely wasn’t packed that well. Without a doubt this will be my last purchase from this store. There’s plenty of other great stores to choose from that won’t bend you over on return fees. **Edit for response to the owner** Yes you do clearly state your return fees online. “Small restocking fee” is a bit of an understatement…your restocking fee is 10%. If I pay $250 for a guitar pedal. Right off the bat you’re keeping $25 of my return. I couldn’t imagine purchasing a guitar online through your store.
5. Music & Arts
Address: 989 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
They help me every time I come in and they are so kind.
Great location. They don’t have boxes laying around. The Staff and teachers are great. Parking is rough, hoof it or pay up.
Customer Service. Period. Chris, Alex & staff are dedicated and attentive. Prefer this place to others because of personal feel/vibe. They are knowledgeable and not forceful. Great stuff here.
Limited retail space, but the staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Music lessons are offered on site.
I have condensed my original rant down to the following- we really like our children’s teachers- but the front desk needs saving
Yeah it’s good!
Absolutely horrible service by the staff. Our son took lessons for two years and store failed to call when teacher couldn’t make it to lesson and even refused to acknowledge that his instrument had been returned when it was sitting in front of them. Sadly, these small shops are disappearing and so it is hard to walk away from one but the staff and management is really just that bad.
My child joined band program at her school in West Hartford. Using their online system, I placed an order for instrument rental and a book for the program. The date I placed my order, they charged my credit card.
However, they never delivered the instrument until I called and confirm the status. The book was never delivered with the instrument. A week later, I called them to confirm about the book. They told me that it was back ordered. Since the book was available in Amazon for next day delivery, I asked Music & Arts to cancel my book order.
After few weeks, I still did not have my credit back for the book. I called them to ask for the refund, and the customer service told me that I have to return the book (which was never delivered!) in order to get the refund and hang up on me. I used the chat function on their website to explain the situation. Here, the customer service told me that they would never charge the credit card unless the item is delivered, and conversation did not go anywhere. (Again, my credit card was charged on the date I placed order!) Not knowing what to do, I called the store in West Hartford, left my phone number with an employee so the manager can call me back. No one called me back. I sent polite email to the manager, and also emailed the customer service. No response from anyone.
I will NOT order anything from this business in the future.
JUST HIT BACKSPACE ON YOUR BROWSER AND PICK ANOTHER COMPANY. YOU’RE WELCOME.
Called your West Hartford CT store early today, after calling around to several other of your stores, to see if the had a certain string for my cello and if they could fix the one string today. Was told yes on both. My husband drove 25 min there to find out they did not have the string. Drove to the nearest store that had this string (which was an additional 15 min out from my house) and they had no one to help with the cello. My husband ended up purchasing the string. Had I talked to him I would have told him not to make the purchase. Now every place is closed so tomorrow I have to go to another store to get this string put on. We needed the cello for tomorrow so you guys were literally no help. I will be returning the string and doing my business elsewhere. I should have listened to the other bad reviews. First time customer turned into last time customer.
6. Lee Piano Studio
Address: 299 Colt Hwy, Farmington, CT 06032 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
I have been taking lessons from Insun for almost a year. I was self-taught up to that point. This has taken my piano playing to the next level. I was shocked in an early lesson to find that she believed I could tackle Chopin’s etudes – including the opus 10 no 1 commonly known as the waterfall. Through Insun’s dedicated instruction – keen listening ear and eye for mechanical/technical difficulties I am progressing towards that end. Highly recommend!!
Always great to visit Tom and discuss music, Best place to get your instrument serviced or buy a new or used one..
Great looking shop with a lot of cool music items for sale. Owner was extremely nice and definitely very knowledgeable with a ton of experience. Definitely recommend
The best day of my musical life was when our paths crossed.
Tom is now in his own shop, around the corner from the old place. You never know who you will see, or what you might find.
After 5 years, the old guitar i got from him still makes me smile, and I give little prayers of thanks.
You want it, he will find it … or help you find it.
I treasure every visit.
ima trumpet player and came here to look around and poss get a new horn. HE WOULDNT LET ME PLAY THE HORNS UNTILL I BOUGHT THEM!!!!!
BAD COSTUMER SERVICE
WILL NOT COME BACK
I wouldn’t go back to this music shop. I was looking for a used guitar, but Tom was unhappy with me trying out his guitars, or would try to coerce me into purchasing them after I played them. Also, he wouldn’t let others use his equipment without vowing to buy from him. It was a bit ridiculous, and totally defeated the purpose of a music shop. Really disappointed with his service, only 1 star from me.
11. Snack Electronics
Address: 180 Broad St, New Britain, CT 06053 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
Awesome place. I purchased my guitar here and take lessons. Dave, Eric, Eddy, Jay, and Jason are all incredible people.
Always helpful and knowledgeable.
We rent our kids’ instruments from Music & Arts, Avon. The staff is always very helpful and knowledgeable.
An error in judgment when I decided to place an order for them to send out my two guitars I STILL to this day can’t string myself worth beans. Decent store for the most part but what really got me sore was the fact that the clerk said that they send their instruments out to a repair tech in E. Hartford but then found out that for whatever reason they have to send the guitars to a tech in BOSTON and the woodwind and brass instruments are the only instruments they ferry back and forth for repairs to EH. Misleading and wonder if it were intentional or whether or not someone else over there neglected to tell him that the different instruments get repaired at different locations. Not my fault I didn’t get the right info but certainly my fault I opted to not take my precious guitars back before the start of business last week so I could either try once again to string them myself or have someone else nearer to me I’d forgotten momentarily about do it for me instead. Ideally I’ll see if I can learn the proper way to string them from now on to save on the cost and also to not feel helpless and at the mercy of someone else whose repair shop happens to be out of state yet.
I really don’t like there! The drum teacher charged me for 3 times but only want to teach twice! The attitude of stuffs were not nice either! So horrible!
I purchased two bell covers at the end of August, chose store pickup, but they never called me and then the charge show up on my credit card statement on Dec 04 (after 3 month?). The credit card company helped to credit $19.12 back, but then the case went to debt collector. I had wasted too much time calling different phone number, waiting on line, so I decided just paid this 20 bucks and tell everyone about my experience. I also had our clarinet maintenance done 4 weeks ago here, but again, they are supposed to call me but they never do!!! I had to drive to the store, asked them to check the status, and realized that everything is in pending. The phone number on file is correct, they just never call. I guess shopping in the store is ok, but never expect them to call you for anything..
Will never take an instrument there for repair again. They still have the instrument after more than a year, cannot give me an answer as to when it will be ready & don’t seem to care about customers. Repeated calls and visits only result in messages left for manager who never gets back to us. Seriously think twice before ever purchasing or getting service at this store.
13. Musical Expressions
Address: 959 Farmington Ave, Berlin, CT 06037 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
Truly worthy of every one of the 5 stars in the rating. This shop is a shining example of why locally owned independent stores are worth fighting for. Friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, caring, and fun! As someone else said “It’s not just a store, it’s a community.” If you’re not a musician, go anyway – you might become one! And say hi to Don for me while you’re there.
Great people that love music, great help with your music, and will help you with your instruments if you need help.
They are so friendly and helpful!
14. Rayburn Music
Address: 22B Andover Dr, West Hartford, CT 06110 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
Very friendly fast and efficient service! I love shopping local
Very helpful.
Excellent Quality of both service and instruments.
Fast and friendly service
STAY AWAY from this company! I rented a cello early 2019. We returned the cello in Aug 2019 and are still getting billed for it! I’ve called and left messages since no one picks up the phone in the Milford office where I rented and returned the instrument. No call back and monthly payments for the cello are still getting charged off my bank card. Had to file a complaint with my bank to stop payments. Terrible terrible business practice!
trying to reach the store for the past 5 months. they are not responding to email or phone call. The phone service is also disconnected now.
we are left with no response and no refund.
In store service is good but can never call the Hartford Rayburn Music. Electronic voice prompts to dial 0 for an attendant but when do so it says “Your call cannot be transferred” been a customer for about 3 years. Never could get done anything over phone. Have to visit store for everything.
15. Norm’s Guitar Shop
Address: 81 Market Square #8, Newington, CT 06111 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
My experience at Norm Letendre’s guitar shop in Newington Ct. was nothing less than stellar!!! After bringing an old 2002 gibson es-135 arch top, which I have not been playing out that much with lately because a few notes on it were bottoming out, up to see if it needed new frets… brought it up to norms shop and he did a marvelous job bringing that old guitar back to life with a “fret dress”…I highly recommend this shop and norm’s attention to detail….He is my new “go to guy” for all my guitar repairs and mods from now on…sincerely, Jeff Wallace Manchester ct.
Norm’s expertise and knowledge make his shop a go to location for any and all guitar repairs.
Norm is the best. He is a true professional’s professional. The finest Luthier I know
Nice guy. Extremely knowledgeable.
Unfortunately he couldn’t fix my problem.
I went out of my way to go over there with two guitars for a set up. He sent me away because he “didn’t have enough room” to keep the guitars. There were 10 guitars stacked by the door in their cases. He told me I should have called and to try again in two weeks. Seriously?
The store workers were inappropriate. Would not recommend for any female musicians to go there unless you want to be made uncomfortable…
No idea if he’s good or not since he ignored several emails and voicemails. I stopped by his shop and he was irritated that I didn’t have an appointment.
16. Piano Protégé
Address: 337 Main St, Farmington, CT 06032 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
Salesperson wasn’t very helpful couldn’t help me find book I was looking for. I had to find it on my own.
Great kids section, has a Starbucks.
Friendly staff, wealth of books and different genres.
this is turning into a toy store. i bring my 4 year old in hoping to get him interested in books but there are just aisles and aisle of distracting toys.
Not enough sales help.
Great selection of books poor customer service starting with the store manager bottle of the pile scum the way I saw treat a customer today that had all the right to be upset and was only back because she call the corporate office. The only thing the customer did wrong was curse at her but manager provoke her. I felt so bad the manager threatened her with calling 911 she was not physical but the manager was provoking her to her physical. All the manager had to do was give her a refund. I’m speechless never going back to Barnes and Noble now I understand why bookstores are going out is the poor management.
18. Rebel Dog Coffee Co. FARMINGTON
Address: 345 Colt Hwy, Farmington, CT 06032 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
DELICIOUS! My latte was delicious and I had a breakfast sandwich with bacon. The service was great, good chill music, and perfect drinks/delicious food.
We had visited the Plainville location and loved it, so we decided to stop here while we were in the area. The menu is not as big as the other one but the food is just as good and coffee is spot on.
Location is worth a lot for this spot. Central, plenty of parking, clear friendly layout, attentive professional service at all times of day. On top of this dishes and drinks I’ve ordered have always met or exceeded expectations. Online ordering to skip the line is smooth and painless. Menus display an abundance of options clearly and sufficiently, guiding visitors to an auspicious selection while minimizing need for explanation from staff that might make for long lines.
I wish I loved rebel dog Co! The employees are kind and there is a wide selection of choices. I’ve been 4 times and today is the only time I’ve liked the food I’ve gotten. I’ve tried their coffee and matcha and the matcha isn’t done right and comes with clumps, at least in the ice, and their coffee was okay.
Quick service.
Love that they have cold brew coffee on tap!
Extremely bland and underwhelming.
The coffee was cold and our “hot” Chocolate was room temperature. We also ordered a scone and it tasted like it was 3 days old.
Really poor experience! Ordered a breakfast sandwich online which came out with different ingredients than was asked for. Brought it back to have them remake and the staff was not kind about it. 45 minutes spent here for a pickup order!!!
The woman who took my order was very nice and the coffee was good overall. The food was awful: dried, salty potato pancake, burnt eggs and soggy croissant! What a disappointment!
19. SecondSpinDisk LLC
Address: 1 Hartford Square STE 27E, New Britain, CT 06052 , Farmington , Connecticut , United States
Had a really positive experience at this shop. Went in to have my daughter sized for a violin after taking a violin my dad inherited from his father apprised at another local luthier. The owner was very welcoming and knowledgeable while the luthier took his time looking over my father’s violin. Will be returning to purchase a student violin and to have my father’s violin repaired so we can see how it sounds.
Great teachers, fair prices. Scott is probably one of the greatest Luthiers in the northeast he will tell you exactly what you need. Or do whatever you want I. Have nothing but respect for Scott and Bob.great store I wouldn’t bring my instruments any where else to get set up (and Im very fussy with my gear)
After years of guitar I decided to try violin. We ended up at BMC one day looking for a bow. We met Chris, started talking and I have now been taking lessons from him for 3 months. He is an excellent teacher! The whole staff at this shop are so friendly and knowledgable, family atmosphere. So glad I ended up here that day!
I purchased four music lessons when I bought my guitar last April. The owner, Scott, did not make me aware on paper or in any written form of any policy about expiration of lessons.
I had two remaining appointments and I would have renewed for more. I never booked the last two appointments. Please see the text conversation with the music instructor. If I didn’t show up for a lesson, I understand losing an appointment but this is not the case for the two remaining lessons.
As a fitness trainer, I have clients who have not exercised with me due to COVID. I don’t tell them when they are ready to come back (a year later), sorry your training sessions at $70 an hour expired because of a policy I said verbally to you when you joined. This is not what I consider good customer service and not of honest business practices.
Any other music shop would do better than Bristol Music Center. Do not waste your money!
