Does GC want to sell guitars

GOX42 · #1 10-08-2008, 05:47 PM

Just a rant.....I was just in a guitar center near where I live and they had a used "Aria pro II sb1000 ri" for 579$!!!!!!
Needless to say a few years ago I would have killed for an sb1000. I asked if they had layaway. ( I don't get payed till next week) I just wanted to make sure it was still there, they said not on used gear!! I explained the situation and he still refused to hold it for me or take a deposit to hold it and assured me I could get layaway on new gear. Well I proceeded to explain that if GC didn't carry so much junk that people didn't want I might want something they had new.
(out of 40 fenders they didn't have one USA made) this guy then began to tell me how awsome this "warwick" was "powerful" he said. I just walked out I'm up in arms as to what I should do, just boycott GC or buy the damn thing when I get the money and then tell them off.
Suggestions?

PBass101 · #2 10-08-2008, 05:58 PM

eBay is better than Guitar Center.

See if you can find what you're looking for at a local music shop. A private business is more inclined to get your money by doing what you ask than some super-corporate shell full of disinterested muso-wannabes.

capnsandwich · #3 10-08-2008, 05:58 PM

GC is what it is, a Walmart for musicians. They realize that they don't need your sale because they have someone right after you that they can count on to buy something. I've noticed that after they were taken over by new management that things started getting a little tighter at GC and that their bass stuff started dwindling. They cater to the Christmas rush and small item sales like strings and stuff to make their money so customer service like you're asking for may be a little too much for them. IMO, I'd see if what you want is still there and get it if it is. If it's not there then look on ebay or online somewhere. Then vow never to buy at GC again.

BigOldHarry · #4 10-08-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

GC is what it is, a Walmart for musicians. They realize that they don't need your sale because they have someone right after you that they can count on to buy something. I've noticed that after they were taken over by new management that things started getting a little tighter at GC and that their bass stuff started dwindling. They cater to the Christmas rush and small item sales like strings and stuff to make their money so customer service like you're asking for may be a little too much for them. IMO, I'd see if what you want is still there and get it if it is. If it's not there then look on ebay or online somewhere. Then vow never to buy at GC again.

Yup. GC wants the mom and pop crowd, who don't know prices/value - just buy the $300 MIM strat and be happy with it. There was a time, way back when, when GC wasn't a bad place to shop gear. No mas. I figure I stick my nose in a GC about once a year to look at some small thing and every single time, EVERY TIME, I'm disappointed. Either the demo pedal isn't working, or they don't quite have what they said they'd have, or the sales guy is too busying chatting on the phone...

So I don't bother. Giving them money is giving the bad guys money... Fine a small business and give THEM your money.

bigbass94 · #5 10-08-2008, 06:29 PM

These threads make me very happy about my local GC. I have not purchased any major gear yet, but just yesterday I talked to one of their staff(who didn't have black fingernail polish, skinny jeans or a stupid mowhawk) and we talked about mike watt and les claypool and cliff burton for awhile. It just makes me happy that when I do buy the 5 string jazz there, he will get the commision.

nickn · #6 10-08-2008, 06:54 PM

Did you talk to the sales manager? In my experience that's what you gotta do to get things done. The low-tier salespeople don't really ever seem to know much. You gotta find someone with some rank and he'll take care of you.

BTW, I put a used bass on hold w/ deposit at GC this past February... Either the salesman that you talked to was lying to you, or it's some weird policy that varies from store to store.

capnsandwich · #7 10-08-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbass94

These threads make me very happy about my local GC. I have not purchased any major gear yet, but just yesterday I talked to one of their staff(who didn't have black fingernail polish, skinny jeans or a stupid mowhawk) and we talked about mike watt and les claypool and cliff burton for awhile. It just makes me happy that when I do buy the 5 string jazz there, he will get the commision.

Yeah, there's some good GC's around but when you find one don't take it for granted. I liked the one in Ft. Wayne, Indiana I went to. The sales guy there was up on things and helpful but he's an individual and not the norm I usually get when I go to the GC around here.

Grateful · #8 10-08-2008, 08:27 PM

I was in GC today, looking at amps. The whole time I stood there admiring the 19,000 'different' Fender basses in the 12'x6' closet that passed for a bass department, not one employee even greeted me or asked if I needed anything. Maybe they couldn't see me over the kid noodling 8 note riffs on a pointy guitar with as much distortion as possible.

So I went to the 'string' department. Here, I hit Gold! That is, if I was looking for Stainless Steel strings for a 4 string bass. That's pretty much all they had. I was looking for Flats for a five. They didn't even have 5 string sets in Nickel.

Why even carry any bass products?

nickn · #9 10-08-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grateful

I was in GC today, looking at amps. The whole time I stood there admiring the 19,000 'different' Fender basses in the 12'x6' closet that passed for a bass department, not one employee even greeted me or asked if I needed anything. Maybe they couldn't see me over the kid noodling 8 note riffs on a pointy guitar with as much distortion as possible.

So I went to the 'string' department. Here, I hit Gold! That is, if I was looking for Stainless Steel strings for a 4 string bass. That's pretty much all they had. I was looking for Flats for a five. They didn't even have 5 string sets in Nickel.

Why even carry any bass products?

Wow, that sounds horrible. I guess it really does vary from store to store. My GC has several brands and gauges each of flatwounds, nickel rounds, SS rounds, etc. They don't, however, have the more specialized strings like half-rounds and tapewounds. And there is no "bass room" per se... it's all one big showroom with the basses on one end and the guitars on the other. Really spaced out and LOTS of selection on amps and basses.

Eminor3rd · #10 10-08-2008, 09:34 PM

It's not the sales guy's fault, it's company policy.

knarleybass · #11 10-08-2008, 09:39 PM

I have the feeling that Guitar Center doesn't care about selling instruments, they want to sell you financing.

knarleybass · #12 10-08-2008, 09:40 PM

Best Buy is supposed to be getting rid of their CD's and replacing the floor space with instruments, you may have better luck there.

GOX42 · #13 10-08-2008, 09:46 PM

no I didn't talk to a manager I was just too pissed at the time the head bass guy had by his own admission only been playing bass for 2 weeks and the fella who actually got me a cord was from the guitar dept. My Gc has a good selection of strings I'll give them that (minus flats or steinberger). Also as a side not does GC have a stake in Laguna guitars or something? ah well I'm jones'in for this bass but maybe it wasn't ment to be.

Stampy · #14 10-08-2008, 10:26 PM

The only thing I ever found in a GC that was actually usefull to me was a tab book of Rush!

mrokern · #15 10-09-2008, 12:27 AM

I'm gonna go hug the guys at my local GC tomorrow. I've been very pleased with the service and pricing I receive, even on special orders.

They even have knowledgeable folks in the bass and accessories departments.

Sucks that it varies so much store-to-store.

theshadow2001 · #16 10-09-2008, 12:48 AM

I don't get it. They have a terms of sale that you couldn't comply with i.e. pay up front and you get pissed off? So you go giving out stink to some kid who's doing what he's told to do as part of his job.Yet we wonder why customer service apparently sucks in GC. It's hard to be nice to someone who is in the middle of kicking up a stink.

Solarmist · #17 10-09-2008, 01:18 AM

They should have worked the deal for you - the "OLD" GC would have.

mattygbass · #18 10-09-2008, 04:14 AM

thats strange, i layaway used gear all the time there.

Phalex · #19 10-09-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrokern

I'm gonna go hug the guys at my local GC tomorrow. I've been very pleased with the service and pricing I receive, even on special orders.

They even have knowledgeable folks in the bass and accessories departments.

Sucks that it varies so much store-to-store.

You know the rule: No Pics No Homoerotic Salesman Hugging!

bobba66 · #20 10-09-2008, 06:58 AM

Our local GC is pretty good. I think I'll mosey on over there and buy something today.