I have been playing music for 30 years. That said, I have seen my share of music shops ranging from the good, the bad, to the ugly. I've traveled for and wide to pick up a musical instrument I'd been hunting for, sometimes to different states. That said, I've seen it all. However, Robbie's is something else, entirely different than anything I've ever experienced. This store has a legacy, for sure. This was a great place to go back in the day, and I'd often find some hard-to-find items here. Prices were fair back then and staff were eager to strike up conversation and talk music. However, it does not live up to its legacy and is now a shell of what it once was. I'd been here several times in the 90's, and it was seedy, a little weird, but reputable. Staff cared, quality instruments were available, you could talk music with the staff, and they had lots of inventory. All of this made for a fun and unique experience that was different than elsewhere. Fast forward to present day: There is a large selection of musical instruments. Some appear to have been there for ages, though. Prices are high and unreflective of true value. Perhaps this is why the inventory remains abundant with items that appear to be fossils there for years. The instruments cooking in the sun in the massive plate glass windows makes me wince every time I pass the place. Those poor drum kits have to be being absolutely destroyed sitting in that magnified sun. The environment seems to lack any sort of overall care or upkeep. Want to sell an instrument? Best of luck. Absolutely rock bottom pricing will be offered, almost to the point where you are forced to support Guitar Center. Many of us musicians like to support local, but these folks make that hard. Want to buy used? Prepare for the price to be inflated. The staff seem inconvenienced and annoyed that you've decided to patron their store, almost as if they don't want or need your money. A while back, went in for a simple repair that they quoted me on, never heard back from them, and when I called, they had decided to simply not do it or get around to it. Hours are odd, never a car in the parking lot. They open and close when they decide to. Odds are they won't be open when you get there, which has happened to me and other buddies of mine multiple times. Word going around is that it will be shuttered soon. I understand it, especially given how this place is run. read more

Good Old-Time Music store .. last of the breed it seems.. still a customer !... reasonable prices ,and slightly used equipment a plus

I bought a mighty air wireless amp for guitar and bass for $189. My son did not care for the sound. He used it once and I had a receipt. They would not allow me to return the item. They said that there was a factory warranty. I explained that there wasn't anything wrong with the item. It just wasn't the correct amp that my son wanted. They would not accept it. I will find another business that will at least provide a store credit and stand by their products. read more

Extremely rude. Went to sell an old amp that was retails for $100-$150, was asking $25 for it. Guy didn't even look at me, said "we don't want this piece of crap" and walked away. Got much better customer service from (gasp!) Guitar Center down the road. At least they care about their customers. read more

Worst service I've received in a while. One of those places where they seem pissed off that you walked through the door. Dont give them any of your hard earned money. read more

Robbie's Music City - View from the parking lot - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Wayne, New Jersey

i haven't been in NJ for 30 years but back in '84 i bought my first guitar and matching bass for my girlfiend there back when i had $. now i'm disabled but purchase and repair basic entry level instruments so kids can start playing. anytime i need technical info Russ has helped me out and even loaned me tools. the owner's wife (really sorry i don't remember her name) let me scrounge around in some of the boxes of parts they have until i found what i needed and charged me next to nothing for it. don't know why people have called them rude but i've spent hours in there where it's dead and then all of a sudden they're slammed and try to help as many people as they can. if you're in a hurry to purchase something, this might not be the place but who doesn't want to spend time in a music store looking around. read more

Robbie's Music City - me with Cj Ramone at the Pizza Place, Long Island - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Wayne, New Jersey

High prices. And I needed an instrument shipped to me, slowly would be fine, but they forced me to pay for Expedited shipping (sixty bucks) by giving me no other options. Even then, where's my tracking number? It took two emails and one phone call to get them to even put the thing in the mail a full EIGHT days after I placed my order. It came to my house 13 days after my order!! Never again, Robbie's Music. Your ratings on Yelp! and other review sites are abominable. You should be ashamed but, you know what, you'll likely feel the shame when you have time to think about it when you're out of business. read more

Dropped off my guitar to get repaired. I had to call after a week and half to find the status. Only to find out that it's "not worth fixing" in their opinion. She gave me a referral but was more concerned about her finders fee than anything else. I bought a strap because I felt bad, and she said, "if you really feel bad, you'd buy a new guitar from me". A completely rude and classless thing to say to someone. If I had money for a new guitar, I wouldn't be there trying to fix an old one. read more

I recently bought an acoustic Fender from Robbie's on 46 and was happy with price, quality, and service. When I went upstairs the sales guy followed. He told me that I was welcome to play anything off the walls, but did not pester me or try to over-sell. For each guitar I played he asked me if it needed tuning, and he offered me a little snark to bring around with me. When I had it narrowed down I asked questions about the woods being used, and the price differentials, all of which he answered to my satisfaction. The guitar from stock was a slightly different color than the floor model, so he let me take the one I preferred and threw in a stand for the inconvenience. I prefer to give my business to privately owned shops over the guitar centers of the world. Overall I recommend. read more

Was here yesterday to grab a new mandolin bridge, it fits perfectly! Being a musician this is the type store you want to support. Great staff who honestly just want to help you out. I live in wanaque which is sort of a hike from this store, which proves how good they are. I don't mind driving an extra ten minutes to support these guys. PS Rumor has it the bad reviews on here are mixing up locations. read more

I have bought two guitars now from Robbie's. First was a new acoustic that I really NEEDED. I told the sales person, George (who sold me both guitars I bought), exactly what I wanted/needed and he found it for me. He even made me a good deal on a beautiful Takamine. Second guitar was an incredible experience. Robbie's has a very unique and diverse selection of guitars. You never know what you will find there (because beautiful used gear comes in all the time). I walked into Robbie's last saturday and saw my DREAM guitar sitting in the Gibson display case, a 2011 Gibson Les Paul Double Cut Special with P-90 pickups (TV yellow and everything). I told George it was my dream guitar. He gave me a trade in price for my old Les Paul, cut me a deal on the Double Cut and I walked out with my dream guitar for a great price. These people actually care about their customers and do fantastic set-ups and repair work. I will NEVER go to guitar center again! Thanks guys! read more

Been there many times through 4 decades. I have purchased my gear on the spot and far cheaper than Guitar Center. GC is a rip off. Thanks for all the good deals over the years and I still am a loyal customer. This is for the Route 46 store in Wayne NJ. EJ read more

No clue where all of these nutjobs are when they say the service was bad. I felt like Robbie's Music City is much better and helpful than Guitar Center. It's a small, privately owned, music store that helps you find what you're looking for. Didn't see much of an explanation as to WHY customer service was "lacking" or the "ridiculously high prices." I mean come on guys, guitars are an investment, and they cost a lot of money, especially when they're new. You're not buying a Guitar Hero controller. Also, to the one guy who tried to sell an amp and was told it was a "piece of junk," maybe it was a piece of junk. I'd trust the guys who know what they're doing when talking about a used amp, rather than it's initial retail price. Guitar Center, while not bad, doesn't hold a candle to the homeyness of Robbie's Music City. Center just feels so much more corporate, and some employees I've met don't really know what they're talking about. City, at least from the guy I met, was very helpful when talking to me, a beginner. Also, you tell me the last time you saw a whole assortment of accordions at Guitar Center. Overall it's a 9/10 music shop at worst, it has a small, comfortable environment with low prices for what you're getting. Seriously, they offered me a brand new bass for $150 that's $300 USED at GC. read more

I went to buy a pair of hi-hats they had that I was looking for for 15 years and they had there with a tag on them that said $75. The guy ripped them out of my hand and said he can't sell them to me because he can get more money online. I told him I would pay whatever they went for online but he said no, he thinks he can probably still get more. F*ck that guy. I still would have rated 5 stars if the original owner was there because this place had great deals and stuff you couldn't get anywhere else, but now it has exorbitant prices like the one on 17 used to have, and they treat you like they're giving you a deal, making it once again worthy of the name "Rob Me's Music." Love the legacy of this store, it's a shame his wife plans to hock the place to extract as much money as she can from selling the land. She is doing her man dirty and cashing out his hard-earned legacy. It breaks my heart, I loved this place; at one time it was the greatest music store I had ever been to. read more

Very nasty people, but at least now I can use North Jersey Guitar and get service, instruments and satisfaction, proceed with caution at this establishment read more

Terrible place these two guys are scam artists. Told me sax had all new pads and time up... Had to spend 120 to undo their work. Would not issue any credit or refund. Stay away from these crooks read more

This place sucks. My two kids were with me and they were noodling around on the pianos and the old guy comes and yells at them. Terrible customer service and don't know how they are still in business. Save your money and go elsewhere. read more

They are so helpful!! Seriously knew nothing when I came in and received detailed instructions and did not feel rushed. Very very happy with Robbie's. The bundle deal was cheaper than expected. read more

They offered a wide selection of guitars. But their prices were high and customer service was lacking.

Been playing music for 35 years and have been in countless music stores but this one is the worst! Just had an awful customer experiences with this store, brought a clarinet in for a simple repair (1 pad replaced), they then decided it needed all this extra work and did so without telling/asking me if I wanted it done (I didn't the clarinet belongs to my daughter's school and my only responsibility was the pad) and of course charged me for it. When I asked why they did work without asking me the owner told me I was "ridiculous". Clearly they have to find some way to make up the revenue they're losing to Guitar Center, I guess ripping off customers is their new business plan! Lesson learned next time I'll take my ridiculous self to Guitar Center. read more

Just recently bought an amp from here and I had a great experience. Staff was friendly, knowledge, and gave a great deal on my vox night train. I was able to negotiate on the price, which big box stores generally won't do, and saved some money. I was left alone to try as many amps as I wanted for as long as I needed too. I would definitely suggest trying this place before making a purchase elsewhere too. I went to another center for guitars and was ignored the entire time I was there and was fed up when several amps didn't work... Didn't have that problem here. read more