Hickey's Music Center

My family did not have a very good experience with Hickey's. My daughter started flute this year, and when we initially signed up for a rental, we indicated we would like to pick it up. We were strongly advised against this and were told it's better to have it sent to the school. We agreed to this suggestion and asked that it be sent to the school. Hickey's responded with an affirmative "Will do!" That should have been the end of it. Instead, when my daughter arrived to her first lesson at school, there was no flute, and when Hickey's was emailed asking why this happened, a very rudely worded email was given in reply telling us to check our invoice. Why would we check the invoice when Hickey's directly agreed to delivering it to the school? And even if we did rely on the invoice, we received a weird invoice email about how we would retrieve a tracking email for a shipment. We knew there was no tracking, so we just disregarded it; sometimes weird things are autogenerated by small businesses. Our fault was that we simply trusted Hickey's to do what they urged us, and we agreed, to do. If at any point Hickey's had acknowledged that they made a mistake by agreeing to deliver it to the school and then not doing so, or if they had just arranged to make the delivery happen after the fact, then there would have been no issues. Instead, Hickey's never once apologized or made any acknowledgement of the role they had in this situation. We decided to figure out how to get the flute elsewhere. When asked for a refund, we were given it, which is about the only good thing I can say about this company's customer service. When my younger daughter eventually signs up for an instrument, we will make sure to avoid Hickey's.

Ordered 3 saxophone quintets from their website- 1 was in stock and was shipped immediately, the second was promptly ordered on backstock but didn't take long, and the third was unavailable and I was refunded. I wish they were listed as out of stock on the website, but they communicated everything with me very efficiently. I would order from them again- great selection (especially if you are looking for less-common chamber ensemble stuff) and good customer service. Just need to update their website.

Every time Gary works on my horn it plays better. It’s just nuts. He did some major surgery on my Schule P5-4—shortened the lead pipe—fixed a it’s issues. He also put a new Blackburn leadpipe on my old Bach — the horn has never played better. The solder joints are practically invisible, an impressive feat being tat the horn is gold plated (gold seems to “spread” solder making the silver over gold look sloppy). We Ithacans sure are lucky to have a such a master in town!

Called a day ahead and made sure the used saxophone was available and asked if I could pick it up the next day, they said yes. I drove over 2 hours and they said it was reserved and wouldn't sell it to me. A lot off good reviews but nothing but a let down and they were extremely rude about it, no offer to match price on another and no apologies for wasting our time.

Hickey's is my go-to place for music gear and supplies. Staff are very friendly when I need additional information. Most times I just order on their webstore because it is easy to find everything I need (and they ship to Canada for a very reasonable price). Keep up the great work!

Hickey's Music Center is a great place to purchase instruments, music, supplies, and any other products related to music. Chuck DePaolo and his staff are welcoming and really know the music business. All your questions will always be answered promptly. Their inventory offers the very best products on the market today. Their online shopping experience allows you to compare specs and make an educated purchase. The store itself has a wonderful inventory. I recently wanted to play test a trombone of interest and had plenty of time to check it out. Chuck spent a lot of time explaining the specific nuances of the horn and answered all my questions. It was a delightful experience in every way. I have purchased many items from this store and have been one hundred percent satisfied with every purchase. All orders are packaged carefully for shipping, and options for economy shipping are available as well. I would recommend Hickey's Music Center without any reservations. A completely enjoyable experience!

You to meet Brian and John! They are amazing cashiers and workers here! They are experienced in music and know exactly what will fit your needs here! Here is a pic of the ukulele I will be buying soon!

This is a great store. The staff are very nice. We have poked around and played various instruments at the store. Truly a fun place to visit! Recently I opened the packaging on a product I bought, but I decided I did not want it, so I took it back, and even though the plastic bag had been opened, they gave me a refund.

Amazing selection of trumpets to try out. The staff went above and beyond helping us.

The customer service at Hickey's Music Center is phenomenal. Fast, friendly and responsive. My family is absolutely sold on them for our future music needs. Five starts, five thumbs up and whatever other kudos you can come up with!

They are not very good sales people (or people in general it seems). Very standoffish and unhelpful staff. Was going to make a purchase but put it back on the shelf, as they were condescending and unhelpful. Ithaca College School of Music students are often cheaper and definitely much more knowledgeable for lessons. Save your money and go somewhere that deserves your support. I leave with a pit in my stomach every time I come here.... No more.

I am an out of towner and decided to stop at Hickeys just to browse around a bit. I always buy something when I am there, because I don't like walking out empty handed and usually find something I can use or need. Now for the disturbing part. The very second I walked through the door, some guy in a kilt literally barked at me in a very aggressive voice, "WHAT CAN I GET YOU"? It completely caught me off guard, so I didn't respond immediately. He then repeated the question a bit more forcefully, but with a twist, "WHAT DO YOU NEED"? I just said that I was doing a little "window shopping". His response was, "IF YOU ARE WINDOW SHOPPING, GO OUTSIDE AND LOOK THROUGH THE WINDOWS." From his tone, he wasn't joking or trying to be funny, because he was really being very impolite about it. I just shook it off, told him I was a drummer and came to look at some percussion items. So now it gets better. As he sees me wandering through the store, he said in a very sarcastic manner, "OH, YOU'RE STILL HERE?" At that point, I had had enough and brought the three items I picked out so I could pay for them. It was at this point this person, then decided to engage me in a debate about the merits of wearing masks and vaccines and on and on and on, trying to turn what should have been a friendly transaction into something political. I wasn't there to debate the merits of wearing a mask or the Covid vaccine (even though I was wearing a mask and have been vaccinated). I just was expecting a pleasant shopping experience. Unfortunately, that is not what happened. At that point, I very quickly paid for my purchases and exited the store. I come to Ithaca once a month and usually stop at Hickeys and ALWAYS make a purchase. No more. I'll just order what I want or need on line. I suggest you get this person in the kilt away from the front counter. He is not good for your business. R. Wendell Brown

A great music store, and always eager to help. They have given me and my students some very good deals on hard to find music. They have had unexpected treasures of hard to find european editions that even the Juilliard Bookstore in NYC doesn't carry. Give them a call, they will help you out - and if you need something quickly, they deliver without delay. They have helped me get music that I lost, but realized I needed for an upcoming job, very easily, quickly, and affordably!

Friendly and helpful staff. Always have what we need. The go-to music equipment supply store in Ithaca.

I had a technical question about my antique trombone and even older mouthpiece, I have no one in my area to consult so I called Hickeys. Because of the distance I was unable to visit the store but someone there spent the time and shared his knowledge to help me. I was very impressed that he spent the time helping me. Thanks!

I've been using Hickeys music for years as a music educator. Not only are they convenient, well stocked for the amateur to professional, child to adult, and courteous, but if one needs to find something Not as popular to stock or obscure, they have the musically knowledgeable staff to find it and get it for you quickly. Highly recommend, wherever in the world you may live.

Hickey's is the best, most diverse musical establishment. Each time I have had a need, whether it was a chanter to practice for bagpipes, a penny whistle, getting my saxophone lubricated or refurbishing an antique flute, I have been treated well with extreme competence. The other thing I like about Hickeys is that if you just want to look, they don't badger you. They give you your space, but are there in a moment when you need them. It is a real pleasure to work with them!

They definitely should work on customer service. I have been to the store twice in the last couple of weeks, once to rent an instrument for my school-age child, the second time to purchase books, and I have been treated curtly by the same unhelpful employee Even when the store is empty the guy can't wait to get you out of there, offers minimal explanations and no advice. I believe I now got the wrong book and the thought of going in to exchange it makes me cringe. I made a point of buying my child's books from the brick and mortar store to support it but I'll be sure and order online whatever I need next in order to avoid having to deal with the same unhelpful employee again. It's no fun knowing that Ithacans are captive audience when it comes to renting instruments.

Their customer service leaves much to be desired. Every time I go there I am greeted with a sullen man at the desk who never once take notice of us. Since this is the only store in town for instruments, I guess we have to bear with it. There are so many kids playing instruments in Ithaca, I wonder why there isn't another shop - friendlier and more helpful one. Snobbish. It's kind of sad that you have to wait until they know your face to get the basic courtesy.

Hickey's is pretty much the only place to go for woodwind or brass instrument rentals/supplies/purchasing. They sell guitars too but I'd suggest going to Ithaca Guitar Works or McNeil's first. Their selection isn't great, but since they're the only place in Ithaca for band or orchestra instruments, there isn't much choice. They are able to order stuff for you and I've found their repair shop to be reliable. They also sell sheet music, PA equipment, and pianos (mainly keyboards).

Great music store. Fantastic variety of sheet music. Well stocked with supplies. The experienced and friendly staff can help you with all of your needs. If you don't live close by, check out their website. We stop in every time we come back to Ithaca, and the store keeps getting better! Highly recommend!

Gary McCheyne who is the Guitar luthier sub contractor for Hickey's knows absolutely nothing about guitar wiring PERIOD!!! I gave him my guitar for a complete rewiring job and when I got it back after waiting 4 months the wiring was COMPLETLY WRONG. He was given the correct wiring diagram that I got for him from Seymour Duncan and he was given all the correct BRAND NEW parts, pickups, push pull pots ect. and still did a TOTALY WRONG WIRING JOB. DO NOT LET THIS GUY EVER TOUCH YOUR GUITARS WIRING EVER. MARK PAGLIARO

Been shopping at Hickey's since the mid-seventies - love the staff and the big selection, too! They're online at www.hickeys.com if you can't visit the store in person - though you really should. It isn't easy to find - call for directions or check online. Guitars, digital pianos, band instruments, and lots of music!

Went to buy a violin. A gentleman asked us to ask the man behind the counter, as he is the one who is able to help us. and he thought they had more then what was there. I went to the counter, told him we were looking for violins, he said yeah. Asked if they had more he said no. Went to look at the ones, no one helped us. Went up and asked for a bow, he handed me one said this one looks good. Had to take the violin down and try in the store, again people walked by but no one assisted us. Left the store, will not go back again. Went to music store in Elmira, couldn't recommend that store enough they helped us, bought a violin and more.

Their customer service is great. Very friendly people greet you and help you with whatever it may be. I bought a saxophone through them and it couldn't have gone better. Although it took about 3 weeks to come in it was well worth it. Great selection of all instruments and you can order something if they don't have it in stock. A great selection of sheet music to, overall best music store in the area.

I've been a customer of Hickey's for decades. I appreciate that it's locally owned. I buy piano music there frequently, and if they don't have what I need in stock, they will order it for me. I was there this morning, getting a lot of music, and I noticed fun-looking colorful ukeleles hanging on the wall. The person who was helping me was able to tell me all about them, including advantages and disadvantages. I am glad we have a store like Hickey's downtown.

Great shop for all things musical. If they don't have it, they can get it. Knowledgable and friendly staff. Reasonable prices.

Poor customer service. I ordered a product from their website, but three days after I had received my confirmation email, I was notified that they made a mistake and it actually costs $31.95 more than advertised on their site. They offered no compensation or apology for their mistake, and the website still had not even corrected. I have canceled my order and will buy somewhere else. Since this is a local business, you'd think that every customer should count for them, but this shows that they are not willing to take any extra measures to keep customers.

I drove an hour to Hickey's to get my saxophone tuned up. It needs new pads on several buttons and a mouthpiece but still plays wonderfully and sounds great. Eventually I wanted it totally gone through, but as my child is just learning to play I wanted to make sure the interest stayed before I invested $300 it would cost to totally refurbish. "Steve" refused to repair what I asked. He said he would only do the $300 and said he would not let anyone play it as it is because the case smelled "musty". I'm sorry, but it is my instrument, and if I am willing to pay for $50 in repairs and clean the "musty" smell off the instrument and reline the case that should be my choice. A business this small should not give customers ultimatums. I spent $440 on various music and instruments the night I dropped off the saxophone. Hopefully I can return 90% of my purchases since this is NOT a business I want to support. I really wanted to love this place. Who can afford to turn away business these days? Steve, apparently. I guess he spends enough at Hickey's to tell his employer he just lost a customer.