If you’re considering buying an instrument from Glarry Music, you’re probably asking: Is this company trustworthy? The short answer: Yes and no. Glarry Music appears to be a real online retailer, but there are significant caveats about product quality, customer service, and reliability. Let’s break down the details.
What the Web Says About Legitimacy
From a technical website-safety perspective, Glarry Music has some positive signs. According to Scamadviser, the site is “very likely not a scam” and is considered “safe to shop and leave your data”. They report a valid SSL certificate, a long domain age, and a US-hosted site. That said, “safe to shop” doesn’t mean all is perfect.
On the other hand, customer review sites show many negative experiences:
- On Sitejabber, the rating is around 2 stars from 24 reviews, with complaints about shipping, returns, and quality.
- On Trustpilot, many reviews mention broken instruments, poor customer support, and difficulty with returns.
So, while the website is legitimate in the sense that you can place orders, you should approach it with caution.
What Customers Are Saying: The Good
Not all reviews are bad. Some customers report positive experiences, especially for entry-level, budget instruments:
- On Reddit, a user wrote:
- “I picked up a Glarry 5-string bass … for $80. It’s decent … overall a brand that sounds pretty good when a low-knowledge person goes shopping.”
- Another user said:
- “Bought a Glarry bass for my nephew … I was pleasantly surprised by it.”
These indicate that for beginners on a tight budget, Glarry might provide a usable instrument. But “usable” doesn’t always mean “high quality” or “plug-and-play without issues”.
What Customers Are Saying: The Concerns
Where things get tricky is in the number of complaints. Common issues include:
- Instruments arriving damaged, poorly set up, or with major defects. For example:
- “Glarry music asks customers to pay for the return postage even if poor quality.”
- Poor or non-existent customer service: no phone number, slow or no responses to emails.
- Quality control issues: raw finish, frets needing adjustment, and necks not straight. For example:
- “They are about as near to the bottom of the barrel as you can get… the company itself seems a bit shady.”
If you’re paying very little, you might expect some compromises. But many users feel the gap between their expectations and reality was too large.
How to Decide If It’s Right for You
Here are some key questions to ask if you’re considering buying from Glarry Music:
- What is your budget and expectation? If you’re a beginner looking for a cheap instrument to test the waters, Glarry could be an option. If you expect professional quality, you might be disappointed.
- What’s the return/ warranty policy? Make sure you understand what happens if the instrument arrives defective and who pays for return shipping.
- Are you comfortable doing some setup work? Many reviewers say Glarry instruments need adjustments or upgrades (new strings, setup by a tech) to play properly.
- Have you compared alternatives? Sometimes spending a little more with a known brand can save you frustration.
- Payment method and buyer protection? Use payment methods that offer protection (e.g., credit card, PayPal) in case things go wrong.
Final Verdict
So, is Glarry Music legit? Yes — it is a real online retailer and you can receive instruments from them. But “legit” doesn’t mean “without risk.” The quality, customer service, and returns are inconsistent.
If you’re a budget-conscious beginner willing to do some setup, and you understand that you might face issues, you could make it work. Suppose you want reliability, professional performance, and strong after-sales support. In that case, you may want to consider established instrument brands and retailers.