GC's done it again...

[JPMiers]

well, I finally got around to buying a LMII, I called ahead of time to make sure they had some factory sealed units in stock. I was told they had two.

When I showed up it was about 3pm and there were boxes everywhere. apperently they were doing restocking or something, anyway, I almost tripped on a stray empty box.

So I have the guy bring out a unit(they didn't have one on the floor(wouldn't have bought a floor unit anyway) and right out of the box the power LED wasn't working(Not GC's fault) so I have them get me the other unit, it worked fine.

Now the problem starts, for some reason they appearently only had One register open. Granted, there weren't many people there, but when I gave the guy the cash he took like 10 minutes just to count it.. and then he took 45 minutes to give me $5 in change...

First of all, theres no reason why theres only one register in what 6 departments? And secondly, he should at least know which one is open. I watched him hunt around the store.

Anyway, that'll be the last purchase I make from them.(Not like I was surprized by all this, but its the only place I could get my markbass.)

[jtc_hunter]

Hard to find good help these days. Thats Corporate America for ya. They want to pay their employees $8 an hr. so they can keep profits up. What they havnt figured out is that they are loosing customers. And GC is not the only one. Look at any of the big stores. They are all doing it. Cabelas is the latest. I was a customer of theirs for 30 yrs. and I will never go to one of their stores again. You are better off to get the help you need from a forum/internet, and just order the product. Save gas and time.

[rodl2005]

same stuff happening here...altho not QUITE as bad -YET!!!! Seems we follow the USA in most areas- 10 yrs ago our health system was great, now -slowly- it's going the way of the US....when it USED to be like Canada's!!! :-( Glad U got yr LMII tho HOPE U like it as much as I do mine!

[bwv1013]

i've had good luck with the GC's in my area, but then again i usually deal with the same 2-3 guys for everything i buy. it can definitely be a frustrating consumer experience, at least you got what you needed.

[origami]

even if i am just buying strings or drum heads, my wife won't go into GC with me because it seems to take 30 minutes to get checked out and she starts giving me the evil eye after someone plays teen spirit or eruption wrong for the 100th time in the background.

the price i pay.

[fretster]

Originally Posted by jtc_hunter

Hard to find good help these days. Thats Corporate America for ya. They want to pay their employees $8 an hr. so they can keep profits up. What they havnt figured out is that they are loosing customers. And GC is not the only one. Look at any of the big stores. They are all doing it. Cabelas is the latest. I was a customer of theirs for 30 yrs. and I will never go to one of their stores again. You are better off to get the help you need from a forum/internet, and just order the product. Save gas and time.

Hmmm... somehow Cabelas is not the first name that jumps to mind when I think of getting new Bass gear. Oh right, the OTHER bass, that rhymes with Mass....

[spaz21387]

Thats why I wont even buy strings from guitar center. They dont even have that big of a selection. And the clackamas one never has my favorite strings in stock. The only thing I will ever do at guitar center is try out amps and cabs. Ill order online when I find the one I want. I might buy an 8x10 at a music store just to avoid the high shipping costs but it wont be at guitar center.

[boonerstreet]

Originally Posted by origami

even if i am just buying strings or drum heads, my wife won't go into GC with me because it seems to take 30 minutes to get checked out and she starts giving me the evil eye after someone plays teen spirit or eruption wrong for the 100th time in the background.

the price i pay.

That made my day.

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by origami

even if i am just buying strings or drum heads, my wife won't go into GC with me because it seems to take 30 minutes to get checked out and she starts giving me the evil eye after someone plays teen spirit or eruption wrong for the 100th time in the background.

the price i pay.

Hmm. Have not had that kind of experience at the local GC here in Silicon Valley, they seem speedy. Now, finding someone to ask about a product could sometimes take ages, but that's another story. --Kent

[jakusx]

Forty five minutes to give you change? Really? I've never had that experience, even when the place is packed.

[capnsandwich]

I'm finding GC is slowly going downhill in my town. There's only one that I know of in Columbus, Ohio but it's not taking long to alienate us bass players as if there were only 5 of us in the entire city. The last time I went in there it was to buy a new strap for my bass. I usually make a right as soon as I walk in the door and there's the room with all the basses. I walked in there and made a right and it was filled with PRS and Fender and Gibson GEETARS!!! All the basses had been moved to a room less than half the size of the previous room. Now there can only be 1 person in that small room trying out a bass at 1 time. I think from now on I'll take my business to Sam Ash for strings and things.

[VicDamone]

IMO gc is a whore house. Those people your complaining about are not exactly rolling in the tall grass my friend. There are plenty of GC alum's here, I'm sure they can...well who am I to say.

On the other hand, I think they're invested in the acoustic resurrection. If they let Russ Allee produce another America made 360/361 on the backs of offshore made lesser acoustic models I'll be down with that like four flat tires. One time and one time only.

Vic

[LowBSix]

They're perfectly fine around here and they've got thee best deals going! Keep in mind, I'm about 10 miles from corporate HQ and there's tons of competition around the Los Angeles area. I hear you though, they need to keep the quality control and customer satisfaction going all over the country if they want to continue to be the largest national chain or Sam Ash will kick their backside....

[drcool]

I went into the local GC a couple days ago to get a rack for my amp. It was right when they opened so there were no customers there and about 8 employees or so. I asked one person where the racks were and she pointed them out to me but didn't walk a step to help me out.

When I got to the racks I could only see about 2 or 3 for sale. I went to find some help and had about 3 employees walk right past me without offering to help at all. After standing around for about 15 minutes waiting for some help I made a beeline for the door.

I can't see myself ever going back to GC. Along with the service their selection is terrible. If I remember correctly they only had 2 Ampeg amps and 3 GK amps on the floor. Their selection of basses is terrible also.

Now I remember why I do most of my shopping online.

[fretster]

Your milage may vary.....

A few years ago, I asked the manager of the local GC if I could borrow 5 or 6 bass amps for use in a week-long jazz camp. 200 kids/adults at the camp, 30+ instructors.

The manager said Sure, and we were able to get 5 Fender Rumble 100 amps for free for that week. Worked out great!

[Bajo_63]

Get this,

Petty, sure. I walk in there and ask for "Fender Jazz Bass replacement knobs"
The guy hands me P bass knobs (2 of them) .
I say no. I need Jazz Bass KNobs
The guy says"These fit all basses"
I say " I want Fender Jazz Bass Replacemnt Knobs"
The guy points me to the Yamahha type knobs.
I say "no they come in a 3 pack Vol, Vol, Tone"
The guy gets pissed off and hands me a 3 pack of Strat (guitar) replacemt knobs.
I say "goodbye"
I went back to work and just ordered them on line.

There is only 1 guy at my Smyrna GC I ever go to. He does not work accessories though.

[JPMiers]

Wow, lots of replies. Honestly I was considering making this the GC OOPS megathread and having everyone post their bad experiences.

On the other giant-gorilla-musicstore-hand I think SamAsh is just as bad as guitar center, the selection has always been less of what GC had to offer and although I've never waited in line for a purchase at SamAsh, I could never get anyone to help me with the amps though, usually all I'd get was this bad look because I was an other kid adding to the noise. (Granted I'll try the amp at loudish volumes to see if the tonal qualities change over the volume pan. But in my defense, I'll turn back down once I find out what I wanted.)

Small music shops are the way to go. I"m buying from Bass Emporium next.

-Joel

[LongHairFreak]

Man... I've just plain had it! Like the saying goes 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!'

From now on, I'm getting my basses from Best Buy!
jk

[jhintx]

When you have a bad experience, you should get the store manager. I know we suck at times, but we have way more positive interactions than negative. As evidenced by the 214 stores we now have due to customer demand and the 1.6B in sales we did last year. We are a big company still run by musicians and trying to hire all musicians, but it isn't easy. I know getting out here and blowing us up can be good fun, but you can do a lot of good letting the store managers know when you are in the store. For the most part, these are really good guys trying to get better and they will appreciate your honest feedback. I am sure there is an ******* or two out there running stores, I can't speak for them, but if you are in my territory and have a problem, you can also contact me on this forum and i will fix it. I have helped a lot of people out here get GC issues resolved around the country, so let folks know I am here to help, or hit me up with a PM, and I will help you too. Lastly, I wish people would shop locally. If not GC, go to another local store and help the people in your community earn a living, and also help the community you live in collect their tax revenue. This is a trying economy and even something as little as shopping locally, can help a lot.
jh

[steve66]

Originally Posted by jakusx

Forty five minutes to give you change? Really? I've never had that experience, even when the place is packed.

I never had a bad experience with either GC in Hallandale or West Palm Beach. I deal with one or two salesman and call before I make the trip.