Steve's Music, Montreal

Steve's is, among the big three (Italmelody, Archambault, Steve's), the store where you can get the better deals most of the time. Italmelody is likely the most unfriendly store with these bouncers at the door that make you feel that you are going to visit a friend in Jail. Steve's is a little more friendly, but it provides the same kind of "jail feeling" with too many watchdogs who look at you if you will be robbing the store. Too many uncompetent employees, however. You can negociate deals like if you were in a car dealer... Not my taste too much, but if you find a good salesman, then stick to him or her. Archambault has a more friendly service, but BEWARE they catch you by charging a lot more for most products and by having a very severe refund policy. I do not shop anymore at Archambault because I had to fight to return defective products. So Steve's is the best of the worst...Montreal would benefit of a more professional music store with price competitive to what is found in the US without having to go through these stores filled with bouncers and sharks... Try smaller stores (Diplomate for instance) for friendlier and better service, alhtough they may not have the product you are specifically looking for...

Spend your hard earned money at a store that treats you like a customer, not like war criminal...

Let's give an example: I was trying a quite expansive guitar today ( wich i would have bought) and then a salesman comes to me and says : sorry but try less expansive guitars, we want to keep them new. The employees treat you like everything but clients don't go there.

Do yourself a favor and shop elsewhere. The salespeople are arrogant and the service is terrible.

Steve's has good prices and lots of stuff. They have poor service, though. I went to return a $15 defective item and they looked at me like I was Bernie Madoff! Not much respect for customers, in general.

I find the service to be arrogant and almost scary. The floor staff have, among them, several greasers that seem just as eager to beat you up as help you purchase an instrument. You will find this especially in the acoustic and electric guitar sections and also in the area for accessories. It is time they renovated or moved to a more pleasant location. It is dark, filthy and creepy to enter. If you are prone to clostrophopia or at all uncomfortable in cramped spaced that you can not easily escape, beware. At one time this may have been considered quaint and might have attracted customers looking for some sort of specialty musical instrument hideout discovery. Steve's prices are generally higher that more modern music stores in the central Montreal area, and their are absolutely not interested in discussing any kind of lower price. Don't even ask unless you are looking for trouble. At least they will make you feel stupid, and at most you might feel threatened. In all fairness, they do have a good selection of books and videos, and the staff there are more pleasing to meet.

I visited Steve's in Montreal while on a trip to Canada a while ago. I already owned a Canadian made guitar and was keen to buy another and take it home with me. I spent quite a while comparing guitars and the staff were were obviously intrigued that someone from as far away as Australia would visit the store. The store rates most highly compared to the many others I have patronised over the years. Canadian Guitars represent old-fashioned value in a very competitive marketplace and Steve's does a great job in promoting them.

Steve's may have once been the place for music gear and service in montreal. May have, but I would say that today you are greated with attitude, and terrible service. Repairs have been no help to me in fixing my amplifier. When trying guitars for a purchase, i was unplugged several time's, not giving me time to see what their products can do. I for one have changed store, and they have lost me as a client.

I'm a beginner and these guys were awesome with me! They didn't try to empty my wallet, just helped me to get the most basic guitar that would still have quality sound. I'll definitely go back when I'm ready for that next level guitar (and I'll do my guest appearance there signing autographs when I make it big)!!! :)