Music & Arts

We’ll see if I can recover my saxophones. So far, just going by other folk’s reviews. Looks like they give customers the run around. That’s what attorneys and Peace Officers are for.

***Rent/​Buy somewhere else***
If there was a 0 start this place would have earned it. I started renting my son’s instrument this last year. When I signed up… I discussed the fees and eveything that they would be charging. Even talking to the Regional Manager (or whatever his title is) Steve Selman. I am being charged fees I was told I would not be, and have done everything I have been told. Everytime I call in I have to speak to someone new it seems. I first tried contacting their corporate offices. They are a –2 on the rating. They kept saying «You agreed to this in the contract» They even sent me a copy of the contract when I told them I had it in front of me. I did NOT agree to it on the paper even, but the insist I have. They also agreed to file a ‘ticket’ in which no one there can find, and no one bothered following up with me on.
I have spoke to 3 different store managers and various other employees and even the district manager Nicole Long. Each and everyone has promised this will be taken care of and yet none seem to be able to do this.
I have make about 20 – 30 calls over the last 8 months. Each time I have received a promise to get this resolved, but have yet to see the results.
Today I called in and the person I spoke to actually tried calling me back on friday. I left a message on Friday about 20 minutes after he called and asked for a call back. I never received the call, nor did he call today (monday). When I called and asked I was told. that he had spent alot of time on my issue and he had other things to do. Totally understand that, however when I called in, I was promised a call back. If you aren’t able to call, then someone at least should call and let me know. (Multiple promises have already been made, perhaps you should try keeping them instead of tossing them around like balloons!)
During my frustration, I commented there were 4 weeks left that my son needs his instrument. If they could not get this $h!t resolved by then I would return my instrument. This rep at this point had to lecture me on my verbage. He told me I should return it then, and that he has done too much to deserve to be treated like that. Like what? I used it as a noun to describe the situation I have been dealing with with the last 8 month. That is the ONLY time I have let slip something like that, and you haven’t done anything cause the issue still exists! Please excuse my lack of patience at this point.
I have asked that the store manager and district manage contact me tomorrow. Doubtless I will not receive this call and have to call yet again.
Please save yourself this trouble!

It was a bad experience.
When I first rented out a sax there, the check out lady added so many more stuff to sell me. I ended up buying an additional music stand that I don’t need. The next day I tried to get a refund (which they said it’s okay because of their 1 month refund policy) and the same check out lady made an excuse that they can’t give me a direct refund, so they will need to send a check instead to my address. For two weeks I didn’t received the check so I came back and asked about it, they apologized and said they’ll ask the whatever company to send the check. Until now (SEASONS HAVE PASSED) I still haven’t gotten the refund.
I’ve returned my sax, and never visited again. Never got my money back.

5 stars because the instructor for guitar and bass here is far and away the best teacher I’ve ever had for music. If you dislike being taught like you’re in a classroom and prefer to learn by jamming and getting right into the industry standards, call them up.

Manager helped me re-​string my guitar and was a real professional. Even took the time to show me a thing or two, then took the time to let me try a few things.
They are a bit understaffed, but when they have the time, professional and courteous is my experience.

Well my first experience was super duper, repeat experiences put it in the a-​ok category. There’s a lot better out there. My first experience was great, but I should write some updates.
So three months in, I’ve found the instrument I’d rented is pretty low grade. What’s crazy is they price the thing at $ 1600. It’s a Knilling 10kf. Usually the rentals you get from any place aren’t anything special. My rental was a great starter instrument for those who don’t know any better. Unfortunately, there’s no way in the world it’s worth $ 1600. Really it’s closer to $ 200.
The prices for a lot of other items at Mills are way above what they should be. You can get a shoulder rest at other places for about half of what they sell them for. As folks have said, it’s staffed with a lot of younger folks, probably to save money, but sometimes finding an expert is very difficult, or impossible.
You also have to watch out for hidden fees with this place. Especially when getting something appraised. Taking my violin outfit back want noneventful which was nice. I’d thought there was something weird with it and it turns out the quality was just through the floor.
My advice, if you’re like me and renting a violin, do yourself a favor and go with a violin shop. This place is alright for little things like books or music stands, but watch the prices.

Decent selection and price range, especially for books and rental instruments. However, Why was the manager borderline yelling at her employees, in front of a full line of customers? Please, address your issues behind closed doors, in at least a semi-​professional manner. Why was employee número uno holding up both computers, and between being «locked out» of one and «needing the other», customers had to wait several minutes to check out? Why was employee numero dos so busy flirting that, although extremely helpful in helping me to select the most expensive guitar strings available, and advising me to string them facing outward (I’m a complete newbie), he neglected to tell me not to change them all at once. Rookie mistake, and yes, ultimately my own fault, but now I need a new guitar, in addition to my $ 20 strings, and I’m not going back to Mills Music to find it.

My husband and I visited Mills in Bothell today for the first time. My husband has been wanting to learn violin for many years and finally decided to go for it. We went today looking to rent him an instrument. The place was fairly busy, but both sales people were very friendly and attentive. The manager, Anye, was terrific and truly knowledgeable. She explained everything about the rental process and the pricing, etc. and found the perfect violin for us. I also asked her about instrument appraisal for my alto saxophone, and she was ready with suggestions and answers to my questions. I was very impressed with their service and their selection.

I’ve always been happy with Kennelly Keys (Lynnwood) but it’s a bit far away for lessons. So I decided to give Mills Music in Bothell a try.
I called today to find out about rental rates and lessons for my (soon to be) 8^th grader, I did not enjoy my experience. First my call was looped through the phone tree twice because no one picked up the line at lessons or rentals, then when I chose the «sales» option, someone picked up and hung up on me!!! So I called back, assuming it was an innocent mistake. Clearly they just don’t feel like taking my business… no one answered after 2 minutes of ringing.
Forget Mills Music. I’ll drive to Lynnwood — at least the Kennelly Keys guys are cool, the service is great, the teachers are fantastic and our $ paid in rentals this year applies to an upgraded trumpet for next year.

I recently rented an instrument here for my fifth grader. The employee was distracted, rude and unfriendly, and then gave me the wrong reeds for the instrument I rented. When I went back to exchange the reeds, I was again treated to the rude and unhelpful employee — whose mistake it was in the first place, not mine. Once our rental contract is up I’ll be switching to another store for instrument rental.

Once I was in the middle of a conversation about a guitar with a salesperson and Mr. Mills will come up and dragged the employee off to do something else. I hope it was important because I left and bought a guitar somewhere else!

this is a great little mom’n’pop version of a Mills Music. It’s got everything every other store has and for less. The staff is very helpful and friendly.