Anyone buy used online from GC?

richntiff · #1 02-22-2013, 08:02 AM

I'm amp head shopping. Unfortunately where I live I have a pretty tough time getting to a music store that stocks, well, anything. So - my purchasing is mainly online. I'm looking at a few different heads on GC's used gear area. Has anyone here bought this way, and if so, what was your experience - they don't give you much info, so I've called and emailed for pics, etc. Still - given GC's reputation and the fact that it's used gear, I'm leary. Thoughts?

temmrich · #2 02-22-2013, 08:05 AM

My drummer regularly orders this way and has never been burned. My guitarist also recently ordered an amp this way. He didn't like the amp and returned it to his nearest GC no problem. I've never personally ordered anything used from GC, but all my online ordering from them and anyone else has turned out well.
Hope things work out for ya.

theduke1 · #3 02-22-2013, 08:06 AM

I have I found a Carvin R600 cyclops in atlanta call GC in Appleton they requested it be shipped to them, I went and tried it out and purchased it. I also did this with a Hartke VX 1508 speaker cab.
I learned that all gear, new or used belongs to the Guitar Center Inc. If you don't buy the item it just stays at the store and they sell it or ship it to another store. The stores all act as one is the way it wasexplained to me.
I hope that helps.

scottbass · #4 02-22-2013, 08:08 AM

I bought a used mixer online from GC. They didn't package it well enough and it arrived damaged. They were very good about accepting the return, paying for return shipping and giving me a full refund.

VanillaThundah · #5 02-22-2013, 08:11 AM

I've actually had pretty good luck with them on that front, to be honest. As opposed to buying from a user on here or craigslist/ebay, you have someone (a company) to go back to, who will usually work with you if you are reasonable. A bass that I had purchased from them had a non-functioning treble pot (it was the preamp, not the pot) and I simply requested they send me the replacements for it...which brand new were more than I paid for the bass. They made it right though and sent me the parts at absolutely no cost to me, and I had NO extended warranty of any kind through them.

They do offer plans on the items they sell used, which is a plus. Not to mention, you could probably get a manufacturer to play ball with you on lifetime warranty work if you can prove you purchased it from GC. If I'm not buying a head new, I'm going to buy it through them.

tmw · #6 02-22-2013, 08:15 AM

I ordered a used Ampeg SVT-CL from GC. The store was in Fredericksburg so I called and spoke with the folks in their Bass section. The guy (Marcus) checked out the head called me back and I ordered it shipped to the store in Colonie, NY. Shipping was 14 bucks plus NYS tax. The head arrived in great condition. No problems with it so far, so I'd do it again if necessary.

Their return policy nmade it a hassle-free experience.

christopherogut · #7 02-22-2013, 08:22 AM

I've bought a few items used from the GC website, including a tube bass head from the other side of the US. My advice is to call the store, get someone good on the phone, and ask any and all questions that you want. I've had higher resolution pictures emailed to me of basses and whatnot. Shipping is extremely reasonable as they must get a massive UPS discount! I had a Pignose B100V tube head arrive in mint condition, double boxed, with expanding foam pouches, bubble wrap, etc... an excellent packing job and the amp was just as described to me. Even got them to give me a discount equal to the tax and shipping cost of the amp! Several smaller items have also arrived to me perfectly fine and well-packaged.

The nearest GC store is about 35 mins south of me in northern NJ, so I prefer to just have it shipped directly to my house. Either way, you need to pay for the item first so it's not like shipping to store has its advantages unless you anticipate a problem and a refund. They have a good return policy on the used stuff regardless of where it's sent (store or home), but thankfully I've never had to return a used item.

richntiff · #8 02-22-2013, 08:28 AM

wow - awesome responses - thanks everyone!!!

Halegroove · #9 02-22-2013, 08:32 AM

I have purchased 3 heads at different times thru GC. The were good deals and only one had an issue that even after a $50 repair was still a good deal.
The good thing is that you have 30 days to return it for any reason. All you lose is initial shipping costs to get it to you because you're returning it to your local GC.

Technotitclan · #10 02-22-2013, 08:32 AM

My guitarist and I have bought used from GC w/o any issue. He bought an ampeg head and had it shipped to the store. Picked it up, no problems at all and still uses it. I bought an Acoustic 410 cab and had it shipped to my house for $30. It was well packed and worked like a charm.

johnson79 · #11 02-22-2013, 08:32 AM

Great to know. I was kind of curious about this myself.

Corevalay · #12 02-22-2013, 08:35 AM

I've bought a guitar and a cabinet through GC used. Both times the salesman were very helpful. They sent me additional pics and gave a very good description of the items. The guitar was in great shape and I was really pleased with it. The cabinet was in good shape but there were a few things "wrong" with it. One caster doesn't stay locked in and falls out occasionally and the input jack is broken. It still works fine, but half of it is missing if that makes sense. I didn't care because I use the speakon input anyways. I never bothered calling them out on either imperfection. The cab itself works perfect though and sounds great.

Overall I'd say give it a shot. The best part about it is you can just return it to your local GC if you're unhappy with the item.

JDLowEnd · #13 02-22-2013, 08:43 AM

I ordered a bass that seemed to be priced significantly lower than a normal used version should go for. I called and asked questions, they didn't have much of a response to say other than it being used. So I took a chance and bought it. One of the strap buttons was missing and there was a screw in its place, just a normal black wood screw halfway into the body. There were numerous cracks and chunks missing in the paint. For price it as an ooooookay buy, but please remember to ask as many questions as possible, and to have them be very detailed!

Phlipper · #14 02-22-2013, 08:48 AM

Just bought a PV Max 700 for $189 from a GC in Texas. Shipping was only $12 to NC and the amp is perfect. No complaints. Now ... my local GC in Fayetteville ...well, that's a whole different story.

MOTORHEADBANGER · #15 02-22-2013, 08:53 AM

Yep, bought plenty from the used selection. Fast/cheap shipping and a no question return policy is a win in my book.

Raymeous · #16 02-22-2013, 09:02 AM

I have made 2 purchases via GC's used section online: a Brian Moore guitar with 13 pin synth access, and a Muse Research Receptor rack.

Both came in well packaged with bubble wrap, and foam corners etc. The guitar was in its original hardcase inside the cardboard box, with bubble wrap around the case, so it travelled well.

I know you're talking about an amp, but like a bass or guitar, I would probably allow it a day to aclimate to your local weather conditions before really working it at a band practice or a gig. Better safe than sorry kind of reasoning.

Generally speaking my experience has been good.

stepswork4me · #17 02-22-2013, 09:50 AM

I've purchased use effects pedals online from them without issue. I paid for a used pedal that they had actually already sold. I wasn't aware of the previous sale and the pedal was still listed on their site. I emailed them because it wasn't listed in the shipping info. They told me it was gone and I asked how they were going to handle it. They mailed me the very same pedal, brand new. Great service.

DougBass · #18 02-22-2013, 10:00 AM

I bought my big foot cabinet from them and it was a great experience. Salesman was helpful at the purchasing location, and at my local location where I had it shipped.

wcoffey81 · #19 02-22-2013, 10:15 AM

i bought my firebass head from a GC in North Carolina and had it shipped it to my home in Michigan. they described it as very clean and it is. plus i got them to throw in free shipping.
the only issue i had with shipping was several of the small air bags had popped giving the head a little too much room to move around in the box. it's kind of what you would expect from putting a 50lb+ "micro head" in a box filled with sandwich bags of air.

Lazarus.Bird · #20 02-22-2013, 10:18 AM

I've bought both an SVT-VR and Orange TB1000 used via GC Online. Both were great experiences. I was really impressed with how they packed the SVT-VR and also only charged me like $16 to ship it from Seattle to Pittsburgh.

They have their no questions asked 30 day return policy, so worst case scenario all you really stand to lose is some of your time.