Angry at Guitar Center

[ficalini]

So last week i went to GC looking for a trade in for my Thunderbird Pro IV with straplocks (one on the back to prevent neckdive),and a case i fitted my self. The manager offered me a measly $100. Not Acceptable Needless to say I sold it on Craigslist for $400.

Then today I drove out to my "local" GC (about an hour away) only to find out it closes at EIGHT! Who closes at 8 p.m. on Saturday night!! Two strikes Guitar Center...Two strikes...

Well thanks for taking the time to read this and listen to my rant. Lets hear your bad GC stories!

[N.F.A.]

All music stores used to close early on the weekends back in the day. This was so the musicians who worked there could get to their gigs. Maybe it's the same philosophy where you went.

[cybersnyder]

Guitar Center's hours are posted on the web and you can call ahead. They don't stay open late on Saturday because it's a big night for gigs.

[dave64o]

Keep in mind that GC, or any retailer, isn't out to "screw you". When you trade in, they're buying inventory, same as when they buy from the manufacturer. In order to make a profit, IOW, stay in business, they have to buy for less than they can sell it for.

You will almost always get more selling it yourself because of that reason. It is NOT a case of "the man" ripping off "the little guy".

[cataract]

People still shop at Guitar Center?
You should get a supporting membership and take full advantage of the classifieds..
Just saying... 24/7.. no complaints here!

[Febs]

Originally Posted by ficalini

So last week i went to GC looking for a trade in for my Thunderbird Pro IV with straplocks (one on the back to prevent neckdive),and a case i fitted my self. The manager offered me a measly $100. Not Acceptable Needless to say I sold it on Craigslist for $400.

Then today I drove out to my "local" GC (about an hour away) only to find out it closes at EIGHT! Who closes at 8 p.m. on Saturday night!! Two strikes Guitar Center...Two strikes...

Well thanks for taking the time to read this and listen to my rant. Lets hear your bad GC stories!

You drove an hour without checking their closing time first!? You should be angry at yourself, not Guitar Center.

[Mirios]

Closing at 8:00 doesn't seem too horrible. I work retail though so I guess I take it from that view. Any reasonable store has their hours up on a website for a message on their phone.

Where I work we could stay open an hour later and not make enough money to cover the overhead to stay open. Doesn't really make sense. Don't know the reasons your guitar center closes at 8 but I'm sure they have them.

[tkcthulu]

When do you ever get what you want in terms of price when you trade things in? It sounds like your expectations were too high

[WoodyG3]

Yeah, you don't want to trade in musical equipment. You'll never get a good deal on a trade in at any music store. They have to make money on the instrument you trade in. It's the same with used cars, cameras and just about anything else you might "trade in."

8pm seems plenty late to me, but I'm an old guy. (BTW, my local Guitar Center closes at 8 on Saturday, and is opne later than any other music store in the area.)

[ficalini]

Originally Posted by Febs

You drove an hour without checking their closing time first!? You should be angry at yourself, not Guitar Center.

ya, your probably right. It's just that i was there last friday I was there at 8:30 and around Christmas last time I was there well past 9. I just assumed that it would be the same

[darkstorm]

Never try to trade anything at GC theyre allways going to lowball anyone who come in. Closing at 8pm for music gear store sounds quite reasonable to me. Is a reg gig night for musicians.

[ficalini]

Originally Posted by dave64o

Keep in mind that GC, or any retailer, isn't out to "screw you". When you trade in, they're buying inventory, same as when they buy from the manufacturer. In order to make a profit, IOW, stay in business, they have to buy for less than they can sell it for.

You will almost always get more selling it yourself because of that reason. It is NOT a case of "the man" ripping off "the little guy".

I wasnt expecting a lot, but seriously, $100. they can do better that that

[pacojas]

i go to GC because there is this girl who works there.

[zeroncali]

I was with a friend at gc one time. he was looking to trade in a guitar and the employee He talked to straight up told him that he should just use craigslist. i believe he said something like the price they offer is what they find on ebay cut in half.

[FaithNoMan]

Originally Posted by pacojas

i go to GC because there is this girl who works there.

Haha, same here. I've done that.

Then, after making my purchase, I feel like a complete moron.

"Good job, you just unsaved yourself 20 bucks from avoiding ebay"

But I have made some scores there, on used gear.

I bought my Mesa Boogie Bass 400 for under 700 there, in perfect shape.

[Punk Rock Jason]

Yeah, trading in at GC is not worth it at all. I personally kind of wish they were open later on Saturday (my main gig is Sunday morning), but I understand why they're not. It's just kind of inconvenient sometimes....like tonight for example when I was hoping to pick up a new pedal, but wasn't able to get over there in time. Oh well.

[ficalini]

Originally Posted by zeroncali

I was with a friend at gc one time. he was looking to trade in a guitar and the employee He talked to straight up told him that he should just use craigslist. i believe he said something like the price they offer is what they find on ebay cut in half.

Seems like it. When I went to trade in i heard the manager told the girl at the desk to check Ebay. On my phone is saw the highest was $349

[BillyIVbass]

Yeah that usually give you half of what it will sell for used in their store. Saved my butt recently. I had a Schecter that just wouldn't move on CL, bought it new for $350, GC gave me $200, not bad.

[ghostdog93]

Originally Posted by Febs

You drove an hour without checking their closing time first!? You should be angry at yourself, not Guitar Center.

QFT. Seriously.

[TheNightLife]

I don't know why people are suprised when gc "low balls" them. The most they'll give you is 60% of what there selling for used on the internet and there own stores. But I would go in expecting 50% maybe less depending on the condition. I don't really think that's so unreasonable especially considering they give 10% off new gear with your trade as long as its not certain name brands.