Shop at GC?

[JordanP]

So Ive noticed lately alot of stories about people shopping at GC, good and bad. Here are some first hand tips from an employee.

First off I'm not biased towards GC either. I only work there, its a job.

Dont be one of those guys who rolls in and says, "So whats the best you can do on this, I want the bottom line price."
Trust me that does not work, and never does. You're not the first one to think of that, nor are you making any progress.
Someone was recently talking about a Mustang bass. I checked up and 500 dollars is out of range, however i dont agree with that salespersons attitude. So that was pretty lame of him. Id say if you wanted there go in there with 500 and enough to cover tax, you'll be fine.


Also yes, we can still do deals, some say that its policy that we dont anymore, thats a lie. Just keep in mind, employees need to make money too, we need to do our job and make a profit. Thats what we are there for. Also keep in mind we can only take so much off of some pieces. If its a fender, forget about it, there really isnt much markup on them. Not the same with all companies, but feel free to ask and I'll give you a fair answer.

Also, I've had awful experiences there too when i was a customer. One time it took me 20 minutes to get the kid at the desk to figure out what A/B footswitch i needed, he couldnt seem to grasp it. Those bad apples arent all they employ. I work with alot of really good guys, that are VERY knowledgable. So dont put us all down cause of some bad incidents, it happens everywhere.

Like i said, if someone is looking to get something there, post up here, ill give you a fair answer as to what to look for.

[malabito]

Originally Posted by JordanP

So Ive noticed lately alot of stories about people shopping at GC, good and bad. Here are some first hand tips from an employee.

First off I'm not biased towards GC either. I only work there, its a job.

Dont be one of those guys who rolls in and says, "So whats the best you can do on this, I want the bottom line price."
Trust me that does not work, and never does. You're not the first one to think of that, nor are you making any progress.
Someone was recently talking about a Mustang bass. I checked up and 500 dollars is out of range, however i dont agree with that salespersons attitude. So that was pretty lame of him. Id say if you wanted there go in there with 500 and enough to cover tax, you'll be fine.


Also yes, we can still do deals, some say that its policy that we dont anymore, thats a lie. Just keep in mind, employees need to make money too, we need to do our job and make a profit. Thats what we are there for. Also keep in mind we can only take so much off of some pieces. If its a fender, forget about it, there really isnt much markup on them. Not the same with all companies, but feel free to ask and I'll give you a fair answer.

Also, I've had awful experiences there too when i was a customer. One time it took me 20 minutes to get the kid at the desk to figure out what A/B footswitch i needed, he couldnt seem to grasp it. Those bad apples arent all they employ. I work with alot of really good guys, that are VERY knowledgable. So dont put us all down cause of some bad incidents, it happens everywhere.

Like i said, if someone is looking to get something there, post up here, ill give you a fair answer as to what to look for.

I will like to comment on an experience I had last November on GC from New York, as you commented not all employees are bad apples. I went for a work trip, decided to visit the usual bass stores on new york, in just one day since I didn't have much time, I was able to visit a few stores. Sam Ash and Mannys had really bad customer service and real low quality instruments. Rudy was excellent, they had beautiful instruments and the guy who attended me was really polite and friendly even thou I didn't bought anything, he let me played a bunch of basses hassle free. At GC it was the same experience as in GC, not as much nice equipments as in Rudys, but the employee who attended me was top notch, I even ended buying a Markbass cabinet after playing through a bunch of the instruments in the bass department. Maybe I was lucky, but I sured had a nice experience at GC, sadly can not say the same on Sam Ash or Mannys.

[rfclef]

I have guys at my GC I like to deal with, and I have guys I would rather not.... SOme treat me like I am a doof (true) and they are the absolute fount of knowledge, and I should not forget it. Then there are guys that answer my questions without being snooty, make good observations and suggestions about what I am looking for. ANd I would gladly buy from them. So, GC is just like most other places... got the good, got the bad.

[AxtoOx]

People sometimes don't get what the salesmen are dealing w/ continually there.
I was buying a dw Drum Kit. (High End for people who don't know). Some guys beating a cowbell to death while my salesman is trying to figure things out. He asked him to tone it down a couple of times, finally the guy storms out mad. Well this was a boutique bass price deal, and how many times do you need to whack a cowbell to see if you like it?
Another time I was buying a VOS Les Paul (Vintage Original Specs. I think) again, not cheap, I have the Guitar Dept. Mgr. and the AM setting up the guitar. They are already frustrated because the first one they pulled off the wall had a warped neck. Some kid is playing some Mid priced gear that I doubt he could afford at 11. The phone rings, one guy can't hear the phone, the other is frustrated, they ask the kid to turn it down. He storms out.
Both of these guys could have gone home and posted what jerks they have at GC, but I think most people can see, there are two sides to the story.
I've gotten some of my best deals at GC. It helps if the guys like you. (Try being nice). It also helps when the managers know you by name. They have code the salesmen don't. The salesmen make a lot of their pay out of commission. If they cut gross profit out of every sale, they can't afford to work there. Managers are worried more about gross sales, and turning over inventory. They will do more for you. Some salesmen that have been there a while aren't on commission. They will shave more off. You have to go there enough to know people and for them to know you. I'm in business too. That's just the way stuff works.

[g00eY]

Originally Posted by malabito

I will like to comment on an experience I had last November on GC from New York...

I also had a great experience at the GC in New York. At first I was a little weary of going in because I'm pretty young, and the employees usually don't like the younger crowd, but the guys there were real nice and we started talking gear for a little bit while I was there.

[Bigduke]

I drive one hour to go to GC,and i have about 6 stores within 10 minutes.The deals are just better at GC and they don't make you feel like **** for getting a deal like some of the mom and pop shops.

[JordanP]

I'm glad to hear you all have good stories. Like i said, im not die hard GC gunghoe try to run a store kinda guy, but i know how the stuff works. We have some great guys. I know my customers are very loyal, and i run one hell of a bass department!

Anyone in Pittsburgh stop by and check it out!

[tycobb73]

So tell me why the store manager couldn't call me the next day like he said he was going to when I was prepared to spend $1000+? In fact, he never did call. If that's how their stores are run I'll go elsewhere.

[Folmeister]

Wait, I don't quite understand this statement:

"Dont be one of those guys who rolls in and says, "So whats the best you can do on this, I want the bottom line price."
Trust me that does not work, and never does. You're not the first one to think of that, nor are you making any progress."

Why? Does this deny the humanity of the sales staff? Does it deprive the individual salesperson of dignity? Isn't this the very point to GC? This is the focus of every advertisement/special they transmit! "Gear at rock bottom prices!"

[JordanP]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

So tell me why the store manager couldn't call me the next day like he said he was going to when I was prepared to spend $1000+? In fact, he never did call. If that's how their stores are run I'll go elsewhere.

Check out what i said about a bad experience not being the way the whole company is run. So that guy dropped the ball, yes it was not good of him to do. We're all human though.

"Wait, I don't quite understand this statement:

"Dont be one of those guys who rolls in and says, "So whats the best you can do on this, I want the bottom line price."
Trust me that does not work, and never does. You're not the first one to think of that, nor are you making any progress."

Why? Does this deny the humanity of the sales staff? Does it deprive the individual salesperson of dignity? Isn't this the very point to GC? This is the focus of every advertisement/special they transmit! "Gear at rock bottom prices!"
"


No, what im saying is if you're trying to get a deal, it wont work. You can get a "deal" by being respectful.

Also yes they advertise rock bottom prices, and they are the lowest retailer in the nation. So why should we have to cut more money off? you're already getting the guarenteed lowest price, and if you find it cheaper they will refund the difference.

[AxtoOx]

I flat out get deals because I spend a lot of money, and they know I'll beat someone else down for the price, and they have a sign in the office here that says "Nobody Walks".

I have the same problem where I work. We are 10 0-20% below or competition. People who have been out shopping, and have seen that pricing think it's a good deal and don't haggle.
Word of mouth is the best advertising though, so a lot of people just come to us first based on a recommendation. If we cut a deal to the person that recommended us, and he tells them, if I don't cut them a deal, they feel ripped off.
So, I guess what I'm saying is, if someone knows GC will cut a deal, but the salesman doesn't offer to do so, they think they are getting shafted no matter how cheap you have an item marked.
Make sense?

[JordanP]

yea i hear ya, That goes back to the respectful thing i was talking about. Frequent custys that work with us, of course we work with them! Ive cut some sick deals for people just cause they treat me well, not as a salesperson, but just as a person. So i do the same for them.

[P. Aaron]

I dig GC just fine. I have no complaints. The one near me in Southfield MI is alright.

[Phalex]

It has to be a real emergency for me to go to GC.

The kid behind the strings counter has frustrated the crap out of me on more than occasion. I don't want to try the cheap ass fatties, and I aint paying $20.00 for a set of boomers!