Just unboxed my GK MB210... and just reboxed it

[FAB-170]

I've been gassing for this baby for well over a month, I did all my research into combo amps and it was between the Carvin and the G/K, the last thing I had to do was do down to Sacramento to play the Carvin. I called on a Friday to make sure they had the one I wanted to try in stock, only to find out the Sac store closed in October! So GK it was.

I sold a few knives on ebay and literally had exactly enough to order the GK from Guitar Center on line with the $20 off coupon (and free shipping). It was here waiting for me when I got home from work today, so I unboxed it, plugged it in, and started to play. The clouds parted, Angels came down from the sky, they blew bright silver trumpets of joy, all was right in Heaven and Earth, then I notice a little arrow on the side of the amp...

A little arrow drawn in chalk pointing to a tear in the tolex. A nasty little tear. That's odd, I thought to myself, I don't remember seeing this in the advertisement or on line reviews, a pre-torn cover? SWEET! A closer inspection revealed several scratches and nicks on all 6 sides of this thing (even the logo on the front was scratched), and a nice 4" dent on one corner, it was obviously a floor model or previous return. Back in the box she went, RMA has been issued. I asked the guy if I could just get a replacment, he said unless I ordered another one I would have to wait until I got my RMA credited and order another one. I asked him if I would just end up getting this same one back, and (are you sitting down?), he suggested that I order another one before this one gets received back! HA!

Back to the drawing board... Any suggestions on where to order a new in the box GK MB210?

[Rumblefisher]

Sell it here as Road Worn?

RMA should work pretty quickly...if you like the combo then play it till you need to send it back and inspect the "new" one for similar issues once it arrives.

[samc2527]

Gallien-Krueger*210MBE 400W 2x10 Ultra Light Bass Speaker Cabinet with Horn - Find the largest selection and guaranteed lowest prices at Musician's Friend.

[Coop Soup]

Originally Posted by FAB-170

I've been gassing for this baby for well over a month, I did all my research into combo amps and it was between the Carvin and the G/K, the last thing I had to do was do down to Sacramento to play the Carvin. I called on a Friday to make sure they had the one I wanted to try in stock, only to find out the Sac store closed in October! So GK it was.

I sold a few knives on ebay and literally had exactly enough to order the GK from Guitar Center on line with the $20 off coupon (and free shipping). It was here waiting for me when I got home from work today, so I unboxed it, plugged it in, and started to play. The clouds parted, Angels came down from the sky, they blew bright silver trumpets of joy, all was right in Heaven and Earth, then I notice a little arrow on the side of the amp...

A little arrow drawn in chalk pointing to a tear in the tolex. A nasty little tear. That's odd, I thought to myself, I don't remember seeing this in the advertisement or on line reviews, a pre-torn cover? SWEET! A closer inspection revealed several scratches and nicks on all 6 sides of this thing (even the logo on the front was scratched), and a nice 4" dent on one corner, it was obviously a floor model or previous return. Back in the box she went, RMA has been issued. I asked the guy if I could just get a replacment, he said unless I ordered another one I would have to wait until I got my RMA credited and order another one. I asked him if I would just end up getting this same one back, and (are you sitting down?), he suggested that I order another one before this one gets received back! HA!

Back to the drawing board... Any suggestions on where to order a new in the box GK MB210?

I'd push the issue and see if you can get an advanced replacement. If you were supposed to get a new product, they really dropped the ball. I had a similar issue with Musician's Friend. MF also doesn't typically do this, but I got a defective piece and got them to overnight me a new product with a call tag for the original product. Made the swap with the driver and all was well.

The other option would be to attempt to get a discount to keep the existing product. Dents, tears and whatnot will occur from normal gigging. Hell, if they'll knock $100 off it might be worth it.

[slapfunk987]

You can try Sweetwater.com, or Zzounds.com.. But I've never dealt with these websites before so research them before you do.

P.S. You should try Hartke Hydrive 210C. With a price match deal from any store, it will be $529 instead of the $599 of the Gallien Kruger. Sweetwater.com has them for $529 so just print it out from there... They sound way better than the GK210 and it will be less expensive, and louder, with better technical repair service if it ever comes down to it.. Try it

[prd004]

Musicians friend is owned by Guitar Center, they are essentially the same company.
I would call GC back and ask to speak the Sales Manager, The AM, or the Store Manager. Explain to them your situation and I'm sure they will fix it for you.

[samc2527]

Originally Posted by slapfunk987

You can try Sweetwater.com, or Zzounds.com.. But I've never dealt with these websites before so research them before you do.

P.S. You should try Hartke Hydrive 210C. With a price match deal from any store, it will be $529 instead of the $599 of the Gallien Kruger. Sweetwater.com has them for $529 so just print it out from there... They sound way better than the GK210 and it will be less expensive, and louder, with better technical repair service if it ever comes down to it.. Try it

MF has the GK for $299

[Larry Noodles]

FAB- If you're here in Auburn, did you try Encore Music downtown? I ordered my MB210 from them at the same price as MF. Plus, because they have a good relationship with their sales rep, I was able to get one when everyone else was still back ordered Just don't get scared off by their sticker prices, they'll meet or beat a lot of onliners.

[FAB-170]

Damn good idea Larry, i'll stop by encore after work tomorrow.

[FAB-170]

Originally Posted by samc2527

MF has the GK for $299

It's actually the MBE210, the cabinet, for 299, not the combo...

[JimmyM]

that would be dumb to send you back the same one since they'd have to pay for shipping every time. and yet i wouldn't put it past them

[PeaceFrog]

Originally Posted by Coop Soup

I'd push the issue and see if you can get an advanced replacement. If you were supposed to get a new product, they really dropped the ball. I had a similar issue with Musician's Friend. MF also doesn't typically do this, but I got a defective piece and got them to overnight me a new product with a call tag for the original product. Made the swap with the driver and all was well.

The other option would be to attempt to get a discount to keep the existing product. Dents, tears and whatnot will occur from normal gigging. Hell, if they'll knock $100 off it might be worth it.

I would go with the above suggestion - if it was sold as new, you should get what you've paid for and a return/exchange at your convenience not at theirs.

[fourstringdrums]

I once ordered an Aguilar Combo from MF and for some reason, they sent me a european version that had an unwired plug. They paid for it to be sent back and they sent me a replacement immediately.

[jelwood]

Those free shipping deals you get from those companies, sometimes if it's a big package like a combo amp or cab they won't send it with UPS...they will send it with some random company no one knows about in order to save money. I once ordered a 410 cab from MF, they told me it was not sent by UPS but was "sent by truck," whatever that means. Anyways, these offhand companies I guess check for drugs in big packages by...puncturing huge holes in them and then having a drug dog stick its snout in there and give a few sniffs. Now how do they puncture these holes? Well I'm guessing they use a freaking sledge hammer, because the bottom left corner of the *steel* grill on my cab was dented inward, where the puncture hole had been. This was what the delivery man told me as he wheeled it on up to my front porch.

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by PeaceFrog

...if it was sold as new, you should get what you've paid for and a return/exchange at your convenience not at theirs.

This!

[philter25]

Talk to the manager and ask why you ordered a new cabinet and were sent a used and damaged one.

Then demand 20% off the price for your inconvenience.

Dont let GC push you around.

[Coop Soup]

Originally Posted by jelwood

Those free shipping deals you get from those companies, sometimes if it's a big package like a combo amp or cab they won't send it with UPS...they will send it with some random company no one knows about in order to save money. I once ordered a 410 cab from MF, they told me it was not sent by UPS but was "sent by truck," whatever that means. Anyways, these offhand companies I guess check for drugs in big packages by...puncturing huge holes in them and then having a drug dog stick its snout in there and give a few sniffs. Now how do they puncture these holes? Well I'm guessing they use a freaking sledge hammer, because the bottom left corner of the *steel* grill on my cab was dented inward, where the puncture hole had been. This was what the delivery man told me as he wheeled it on up to my front porch.

There are a ton of shipping companies that are reputable that I'm sure many of you guys haven't heard of. It's usually not that much different in price to send one piece via truck instead of UPS. Now if they had a bunch of stuff going to the same general area it might be.

As far as shipping damage... it happens. I recently saw a server that was shipped UPS and ended up looking like they ran the thing over.

[tdub0199]

Originally Posted by Coop Soup

I'd push the issue and see if you can get an advanced replacement. If you were supposed to get a new product, they really dropped the ball. I had a similar issue with Musician's Friend. MF also doesn't typically do this, but I got a defective piece and got them to overnight me a new product with a call tag for the original product. Made the swap with the driver and all was well.

The other option would be to attempt to get a discount to keep the existing product. Dents, tears and whatnot will occur from normal gigging. Hell, if they'll knock $100 off it might be worth it.

I've had this happen and they sent me a new one as soon as they could verify the old one was coming back via the tracking number.... but it wasn't guitar center.....

[Coop Soup]

Originally Posted by tdub0199

I've had this happen and they sent me a new one as soon as they could verify the old one was coming back via the tracking number.... but it wasn't guitar center.....

That's what they wanted to do with me, but I worked them over a bit more.

[gjbassist]

To the OP-Maybe you should go with the Carvin instead. Most people don't have the ability to try Carvin products before they buy them. That is why they offer a 10 day trial/return policy. There are many happy Carvin amp users here on TB.