Guitar Center coupon offers are a rip-off?

[Poetic Maggot]

It seems like every time Guitar Center has a coupon it never works because practically no manufacturer participates in the deal. So why do they even bother? It's pretty aggravating because I don't exactly have that much money to spend on my musical supplies.

Speaking of which, just how do the rest of you always seem to have the money to constantly buy new gear?! Well, thats off-topic, but anyway, does Guitar Center do this on purpose or what?

[Coelho]

I went to 3 GC stores today (Manhattan, Queens and Carle Place) and didn't see a single piece of equipment with the "GREEN TAG" discount.

I don't know what to call it but false advertisement...

[bongomania]

I've never ever seen an instance where they failed to honor an advertised deal. For the brands on the exclusion list, they are required by contract with the manufacturers to not advertise discounts on those brands. But if you call in, or speak to a sales clerk, they will give you the deal. They just can't advertise it, legally.

BTW I'm not a GC defender, I generally don't like them--this is just one case in which you have to understand "the system" in order to get the deals.

[pacojas]

it's not GC's fault,.. the "World Corporation" sets the standard!

promise you a steak, but give you beans & rice. enjoy!!!

[Molochnik]

Originally Posted by bongomania

I've never ever seen an instance where they failed to honor an advertised deal. For the brands on the exclusion list, they are required by contract with the manufacturers to not advertise discounts on those brands. But if you call in, or speak to a sales clerk, they will give you the deal. They just can't advertise it, legally.

BTW I'm not a GC defender, I generally don't like them--this is just one case in which you have to understand "the system" in order to get the deals.

Yep, this has been confirmed w/ my local GC. I was apprehensive to ask, after having read the name of pretty much every manufacturer on the exclusions list, but the "accesories" dude told me it shouldn't a problem, and the coupon was accepted.

[BigOldHarry]

Rip off? No.

Marketing bait? Sure.

The only thing that is a rip off is the letting yourself get ripped off.

[Coelho]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Rip off? No.

Marketing bait? Sure.

The only thing that is a rip off is the letting yourself get ripped off.

+1 to marketing bait.

[edmidlifecrisis]

They have a $50 Fender coupon for Standard Fenders this weekend. THIS time Fender is not excluded!! But I think Squier is!!!

I agree, the only stuff worth buying always seems to be excluded from the coupons.

I did get a good deal at local GC on President's Day, though. Didn't go there to buy anything but a set of saddles for my son's guitar. Got an Ash Tele for one day only good price. Nice guitar. It told me to take it home. Good thing I listened.

[bassistkll]

Gotta read the fine print. Discounts do not apply to much of the good stuff.

[guy n. cognito]

Another day, another "GC sucks" thread.

[TN WOODMAN]

I guess we're lucky that the Nashville location has never given me or my friends any of the problems I frequently read about on here. Went with my buddy yesterday. He returned a slide he received for Xmas that was too small. Opened package, no receipt, no problem, applied full refund price to yesterday's purchase. May not of given cash back, didn't ask.

He bought a MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay. (Went in to buy a Boss DD-3-which was on sale at 50% off-didn't even expect it to be on sale.) Another friend has the MXR, I suggested we A-B them and we both liked the MXR better. When the cables and other small items came in just under the 199 mark to get the 30.00 off, the clerk even suggested buy a set of strings to get the discount.

Again we're lucky, I've got some great deals on green tag custom shop stuff at standard production prices in the past, so can't really complain.

If you're in the Nashville area give 'em a shot. By the way I don't work there or have any vested interest in endorsing them in any way.

[lowfreq33]

If the coupon is the difference between making a sale or not they'll always give you the discount.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by bongomania

For the brands on the exclusion list, they are required by contract with the manufacturers to not advertise discounts on those brands. But if you call in, or speak to a sales clerk, they will give you the deal. They just can't advertise it, legally.

^^^^ Quoting myself just because there are still some people saying "no discount on the good stuff". Read and learn.

[djcarolino]

GC in Portland, OR takes the coupon for anything.. I've used it for a Fender Jazz Bass, Ampeg BA115, and even on a Line 6 DL4 for my guitar set up. A lot of times if you go into the store personally as opposed to purchasing gear online, it will work.

[Poetic Maggot]

Oh okay, thanks guys... so it still works no matter what? And sorry, I never actually saw any other thread about "GC sucking" but oh well. Plus I generally like GC, was just confused about this bit.

[spaz21387]

Buy used to avoid getting ripped off... you can usually sell used gear for what you paid for it. my swr 6x10 for example i paid 424 for it at guitar centers sale around feb 18th. Im pretty sure if I ever decided I didnt want it anymore i could atleast get 400$ for it. It was marked in store for 600$ So far guitar center clackamas has treated me well just dont buy strings there they dont have anything other then ernie ball 100 slinkys.

[Rockmusician]

Even worse is when GC offers a promotion on their credit card. About 8 years ago, I bought a bass using my GC charge card during what was supposed to be interest free and no payments for one year. The following month, I recieved a statement with a balance due. I called their credit department and was told that the salesperson didn't process my transaction under the correct code and therefore, I owed the money and was being charged interest. I immediately paid off the balance and closed the account.