Another Guitar Center story...

[Bass Tees]

I'm at Guitar Center today looking for some strings. I just bought my first fretless and it sounds great with flats on it. So of course, as soon as I start looking at strings one of the employees has to come over and bother me. He starts insisting that Elyxirs are the best way to go, otherwise I'll damage my fret board (or no-fret board ). Is it just me, or is somebody trying to boost their commission a little bit? He got all irratated when I decided not to buy anything at all.

[derelicte]

GC sucks. this is kinda deviating from the thread, but i brought in my MINT moog lowpass and small stone to see what kind of trade/sale i could get.. they quote me $120 tops.

........

what giveS??

[grace & groove]

^Commonly known not to try to sell your stuff to music stores most of the time, they buy it so low because they mark-up the price near double. It's business.

[InRodweTruss]

I was at my GC buying some XL's. I say "Can i get two packs of XL 160s?" and he says "NO.....". Then when I said I'll take my business to Sam Ash, he almost jumped out of his skin to get those strings. THEN, my debit card didn't work, so I said it again, and it worked.

It's always an intresting experience at GC. I think they hate me now...

[bluesblaster]

I go to a little hole in the wall mom n pop music store to get my strings, they appreciate my business and I appreciate the complete absence of "Corporate come-on BS", sure it cost a dollar or two more but I dont really mind.

[Lowpro]

Yea, how DARE that employee try to boost his commision to he can feed himself and his family, have gas for work and/or school.

And Elixirs are the way to go, however I'm still a fan of DRs. For Flatwounds though I've had good luck with Rotosound Jazzes. Got that cold sound...

Anyways, I work at GC, never give any customers that experience. But I do boost my commissions by selling the gear worth buying.

Why would I sell a guy Ernie Ball strings, when those strings go dead in 2 weeks, when he should buy better strings for his bass?

It's not just good business, it's common sense.

[HogieWan]

Originally Posted by Lowpro

Yea, how DARE that employee try to boost his commision to he can feed himself and his family, have gas for work and/or school.

how DARE that customer try to keep his money he can feed himself and his family, have gas for work and/or school.

I understand a salesman wanting to make a good sale, but making a customer buy what he doesn't want isn't helping the salesman. If a customer wants to buy EB slinkys twice a month because he likes the tone/feel, you should appreciate his desire and the steady commission. Sell a customer what's best for them and and they will return to you loyally.

[realdeal]

Maybe it's just me and my 'tude, but here's a GC ditty that got me goin':

Looking for TI JR-344's they are the ONLY set I will use on (2) of my basses, for personal preference reasons.

GC does not carry them (I now know), but pimply nerd behind counter retorts:
"Why don't you try (Brand X)? They're what I use!"

Whaaaaa??!!

WHY would I give a rodent's rear about what this nerch uses?

To this day, I have no answer. Had he said:
"Have you tried...?" or..."How about....?" Maybe that would be OK~

But-
"They're what I use....!"

Him with a face lookin' like Swiss Cheese.....!

OK, that's about it.

[bwv1013]

i don't mind GC, but when i go in there i know exactly what i want and what i'm going to pay for it. if the salesman can't make the deal i don't take it personal but i move on.

i was there about a year ago looking at jazz basses. one salesman came in as soon as he heard me and went on and on about the new markbass stuff they had in there. nice product and well presented, but had he bothered to ask i would have told him i'm not here to buy an amp. it didn't upset me or anything but another sales clerk got the commish for the bass i bought.

it can be really hit or miss with the service but i've found most guys in there are at least polite, even if they don't always know what they're talking about. like i said i do ok in there if i know exactly what i'm after.