This is a family owned business. When entering, someone will always give me a nice welcome. They have always been able to answer any question I have. A family member would help me find what I came for. If it is not in stock, they will be able to help me obtain it. I am very pleased with the operation is Amery Armory and will continue to return. Mr. Amery Son is proficient with repairing all types of musical in strums. I highly recommend this business. read more

This place should receive a community service award for providing local students with the joys of learning a musical instrument and bearing with their stressed out parents. Not many communities have such a store anymore. In many ways it's a thankless job, as you can read from the poor, incinvenienced parents who have to wait in a long line with the rest of the town to receive a student instrument. Used to be the kids waited. Alternatively, the local music community is thankful for a place that repairs and provides supplied for instruments. No, it's not fancy, but not every store wants to be a boutique. read more

I think it's the only place in town to rent instruments. I rented a cello for my 5th grader for the year. It was supposed to be $50 per month. They charged $63 per month. I need to check to make sure they stopped charging my Credit Card. For a 5 th grader who gets orchestra class one time per week minus special days such as half days, field trips, assemblies, teacher work days, long weekends... this is way too much to spend. I think the county must get a kickback because they said to not get one from Amazon. He probably had class like 16-20 times the whole year. read more

Always helpful, and do good work for repairs and tune ups. No bells and whistles here, just down to earth people doing good work for students and their instruments. No complaints. read more

I can't ever get straight forward replys to questions nor phone calls back after left messages. On one occasion we took my daughters instrument in to be repaired (very minor repair) and it took 2 weeks even though I was told it would be available within the next day! I called and they kept giving excuses and never would call to let me know it was ready, nor was I ever quoted a price. I told them not to repair it until I got a price...but the final time I called, they'd already repaired it. My heart sunk as I was so worried about cost but luckily it wasn't a fortune, but very bad business none the less. I had to be the one to continue to find out if and when the repair would be made. Not to mention the one employee I encountered was extremely rude to us when we went in. read more

I usually don't reply to other reviews, but I felt compelled here. I wonder if they have changed ownership? I have not been here in a solid 2 years, but prior to that, I probably came 2-3x a month for 15 YEARS. This is certainly a 'mom-and-pop' shop but also certainly a necessity in Williamsburg. The only other alternative (that I'm aware of) is Authentic Guitars, which is stocks ridiculously overpriced products and employees arrogant salesmen/women. Is there anything outstanding about Amory? To be honest, no. But it was always there, filling a void. Personally, I never had any problems with service either. I had probably 4 adjustments to my guitar over the years there, and 2 to a violin. Never an issue, but yes, this is anecdotal. The selection here is...what you'd expect from a local shop. They don't seem to carry the mainstream popular brands, like Fender etc. However, they do carry a decent selection of strings, picks, and instructional books+sheet music. I would be sad to see this place go out of business. They have had ties to the local community for over a decade (not sure when they actually opened), and have always been friendly to myself and my family. I'm sorry the other reviewers had negative experiences; it seems so out of place to me, but again maybe management has recently changed. read more

My son needed an instrument to play in the band and this store was recommended by the band teacher. Upon arrival, I had to wait in a long line of other parents just to speak with an employee. After standing for half an hour I purchased a trumpet and the start up kit for it. The kit was not on the premises but they promised to have it in by the end of the next week. Two weeks later, I stopped by with the receipt and was told it would be in later that day with their courier order. I came in the next day to find out it had not arrived. Their demeanor throughout my interactions with them was disappointing. The false information given was frustrating. As a customer, I want to feel as though my business is valued. They left me feeling as though they didn't care how long it took for the item they ordered to come in. Finally, a month later, I received a message that it was in. I stopped by, the owner found it in a pile of other kits and handed it to me without expressing any regret over the amount of time it took. I'm all about supporting local businesses, but this one doesn't care about the customer. Consider purchasing your instrument and accessories elsewhere. read more

I always enjoy coming into Amory music and the service has always been curious and helpful. I have purchased several used instruments and traded a few as well. Sometime small local shops can get busy as I see others had a tough time with service, sometimes we just need a bit of patience. All of the gents that work in here know their stuff and want to help everyone out. Thanks to Amory music for being our local music shop! #support local!! read more

I could say that my experience with Amory Music over the past year was the absolute worst customer service I've ever experienced, and that wouldn't even scratch the surface of how bad it really is. First off, the store itself is cramped, hot, and extremely cluttered. Each time I've been there I've had to wait in line for over an hour. They're in no hurry and really don't care that the line is going out the door. I assume that most people, like myself, go here because it's the only option in Williamsburg. I rented a violin for my daughter here last fall, and now that she chose not to continue playing this school year, I was looking to exchange it for a cello that my son wanted to start playing. My husband called last week about the exchange and they said no problem. He went in two days ago to make the exchange and they told him they didn't have the cello available. So he gave them our names and was told that they would have one in today, and would hold it until we could get to the store after work. They also said they were getting in two other items that were out of stock, and they'd be available at the same time. Today I went to the store after work, and of course the line was out the door. But I figured that was the norm there, and since my items were being held for me, the wait would be ok. I waited for an hour and a half in line in the hot, dirty store. I finally get up to the front and explain that I was there for an exchange and gave our names for the hold items. The guy just says "Let me see if we have one in.". He then proceeds to poke around the front and back of the store, looking for my cello. He comes back dumbfounded and tells the other guy working there that he didn't see it. His response was simply, "Then I guess we don't have one.". I asked why would you tell someone that something would be available and on hold at a certain date and time, if it wasn't going to be there. They immediately got very rude, and didn't even try to apologize for the fact that I just waited over an hour for nothing. They simply said "Well stuff happens", and basically said they gave out instruments first come, first served, regardless of anyone reserving one. They were not only unapologetic, but seemed offended that I expected them to follow through with an agreement they had made. I'd seen enough by that point, so I simply returned the violin I had been previously renting, and said I would take my business elsewhere. To which, they responded, "Fine, rent somewhere else", with the tone of a petulant child. The 'employee' was so angry that his hand was shaking when filling out my return paperwork. It was absolutely insane. Never in my life have I seen a grown man act so much like a disrespectful teenager with anger issues. 'Rude' isn't a strong enough word at all. I was disgusted with the employees and 'customer service' at Amory Music, but I'm very happy that I was able to see just how horrible and unprofessional the people really are there. I don't want my money going to people like this. As soon as I got home, I called another music store about a rental, and the difference was night and day. Friendly, helpful, respectful, informative, everything available - almost like they actually care if you choose to do business with them. Long story short, if being jerked around and treated like garbage is your thing, go ahead into Amory Music. If not, stay clear of this dump. One star is way too generous. I wish I could rate it a big fat zero. read more

This local business serves four area high schools and numerous middle and elementary schools -- all with vibrant music programs. The owner is knowledgeable and friendly. Every time I've been in -- for upkeep or emergency repairs, he's there. He works late, calls when it's ready for pick-up, and the bill is fair, if not under what what you'd expect. I can depend on him. He runs sales in November prior to the holiday season. He deserves local support -- if not volunteers. read more

ASTOUNDINGLY poor customer service. I'd like to patronize a local business, but after several frustrating interactions (plus a filthy, cluttered store), I won't be back. Some examples: - We have brought an instrument in for repair several times. Not once has the repair been completed when promised, and not once has the owner/employee called to let us know there was a delay. They never apologize, either -- just offer excuses about how busy they are. (If they're so busy, surely they could factor that into the time estimate?) - We went in to look for a music book my son needed for school band. We were told they had the book, but it was still in the box, and they didn't have time to pull out a copy for us to purchase. Could we come back the next day? (We purchased the book elsewhere.) - I tried one last time to work with this business last week. When I asked if I could get an accurate estimate on how long a very minor repair would take (my son needed the instrument for an upcoming school concert, so time was a factor), I was told no, the owner wasn't there, and the employee couldn't say how long it would be. read more

extraordinarily Unhelpful - do not seem to care about customer service. Don't return phone calls or communicate among staff - give wrong information or forget what they've told you 10 minutes earlier. Worth the drive to go elsewhere which is frustrating as I strive to support local business. read more

I have been a client of Amory Music for years beginning with our first instrument rental in 2009. I have always found them to be knowledgeable of the local school programs as well as the instruments. It is rare to have someone who can repair an instrument without sending it out and they've always done a fabulous job. Parent to 2 alto sax players and 1 violinist. read more

Amory is an Asset to our community. I am so grateful that I can stop by on a whim to get the item or information I need, without having to drive to Richmond or Norfolk. Have been in several times to purchase items my daughter required for beginning trumpet at school and for private lessons. Each time, the product we needed was available. I've brought my daughter's trumpet (that we own) here for repair and it was ready when promised. The store is small and crowded, but as a former small business owner myself, I understand these sorts of limitations. I have found the staff to be knowledgeable and very experienced with regards to instrument recommendations, instructional material selections and even instructor referrals. They offer hard to find items and expertise; I can handle a less than stellar "bedside manner," as it were. In fact, today, they were so kind as to permit my daughter to try out a french horn that she is considering adding to her repertoire-they permitted her to play the instrument in the store, provided suggestions and detailed information regarding the 2 different types of horns, and were knowledgeable about WJCC's school music programs. They also provided contact information for a local horn teacher to help us. To me, that's worth far more than an upscale retail space and fake sales people pretending to be nice to me so that I'll spend more or buy stuff I don't need. Since the school divisions don't provide students with instruments, their rental program is very much in demand. I can't imagine our schools' music programs would be nearly as good if Amory wasn't here for our community. I will be returning within the week to arrange a rental of an f Horn for my daughter. If all goes to plan, I will be purchasing one of their consigned horns in the near future. My guess is customers who waited until the last minute (a week before the school year begins) are the ones lodging complaints. I make a point of going here mid-summer to place orders and never have had to wait in long lines or endure a delay of an item's delivery. They are a very small shop; when they are besieged by hundreds of first-time band parents who all waited to the last minute, what do you expect? Parents, plan ahead and budget your time better. Your lack of preparation does not constitute someone else's emergency. read more