Is it still possible to bargain at Guitar Center?

[tehuberc]

I remember reading on here that Guitar Center was moving toward selling things at list price only.

[AJ Brown]

Originally Posted by tehuberc

I remember reading on here that Guitar Center was moving toward selling things at list price only.

It would be impossible for them to survive considering they still do have competition and the purse strings are tight these days.

[gt96g]

i used to work there and they were trying to move that way but the economy has changed that,

[Baryonyx]

Even in the UK I've noticed guitar shops tend to be less open to bartering these days. Not that that bothers me, since most of the guitar shops are full of nothing but tat now!

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by tehuberc

I remember reading on here that Guitar Center was moving toward selling things at list price only.

That's incorrect; they adopted a tag-price only policy. Their prices have a standard discount from MSRP, but were non-negotiable.

It was enough of a failure that they are reconsidering the policy at a national level, if it hasn't already been changed.

It was a monumentally stupid move, one of many by Bain Capital.

[Bluesbreaker5]

When I was looking at a pristine used Fender '50's P-Bass for $499 at my local GC, I simply asked the salesperson what he could do. He looked up something on the computer and said that since the bass had been there about 4 months he could let it go for $399. (It was hanging very high in a very hard-to-see corner, and I didn't even see it until I had been looking around for about 2 hours while my wife went to the mall.)

They go new for $699 and I could not find a scratch, nick, not even a fingerprint on this bass! All I asked is "what can you do?" and one minute later it was $100 less than the tag!

Maybe another good question to ask would be "how long have you had this?"

Oh yeah, I left with the p-bass. It's niiiiiiiice.......

[Figjam]

I generally dont buy instruments from guitar center, but sometimes they get some neat used stuff. I bought a 1984 MIJ floyd rose stratocaster (not a bass, i know) for $424 or something , and i asked them to through in a gig bag with it. Used prices are generally non negotionable until they have been there at least a month.

[Volt]

I picked up a new GK backline 112 practice amp for $199 last weekend. My store still has the stuff they were trying to unload a few weeks back so chances are, you can still get a deal on certain items.

[Caca de Kick]

Don't confuse "list price" with every "tag price". They're two completely different things.

Say a Jazz Bass has an MSRP of 1899 from Fender, that is the list price. Clearly that is not the price you would find on the tag, probably more like 1299.

[rysker6]

One of my friends works there and he told me his manager said no more on deals, like nothing at all. Theres a couple dudes from bands, hair metal ones, who live by me, not naming names, but not even they get deals anymore. thumbs down guitar center

[MarkMyWordsXx]

just bought a bass there a few weeks ago. it was on clearance so i didnt even try to low ball them. while ringing it up the guy said he could save me some dough, so he cut the price a little. the tax put it right back on but it was still cool.

[sargebaker]

I can't speak for Guitar Centre, but I used to work for a small Mom & Pop type of music store geared towards students (we also had a school) The store has since closed (the school, still alive and well). We pretty much had a tag price only policy and frankly, if the price is fair, I don't see what's wrong with it. I can't tell you how annoying it is when every tom harry dick and joe blow came in asking for deals and twisting arms. We'd often have sales, and clearances on old stocks etc or cut some small deals like including a gigbag or a small accessory, but never really like some of the GC stories I hear. Nobody ever gives me deals off the ticket price of my jeans and I can't imagine the look I'd get if I even asked (even on some of those jeans that are the price of basses... not that I would buy those to begin with) If the prices aren't ridiculous to begin with I think this is more than fair...Why do we have this notion that when walk into a music store we deserve some kind of freebie with our purchase. Music retail is a pretty sick and rotten industry though (sweeping generalization but not far from the truth)

[Bluesbreaker5]

Originally Posted by MarkMyWordsXx

just bought a bass there a few weeks ago. it was on clearance so i didnt even try to low ball them. while ringing it up the guy said he could save me some dough, so he cut the price a little. the tax put it right back on but it was still cool.

It's the little things like this that makes a business successful. You'll remember this and you won't mind paying full price for your next purchase, and yes, there will be a next purchase because of this act.

More businesses need to put the customer first. A blanket policy of "it is what it is" will certainly drive business....to somewhere else.

[Bluesbreaker5]

Originally Posted by sargebaker

I can't speak for Guitar Centre, but I used to work for a small Mom & Pop type of music store geared towards students (we also had a school) The store has since closed (the school, still alive and well). We pretty much had a tag price only policy and frankly, if the price is fair, I don't see what's wrong with it. I can't tell you how annoying it is when every tom harry dick and joe blow came in asking for deals and twisting arms. We'd often have sales, and clearances on old stocks etc or cut some small deals like including a gigbag or a small accessory, but never really like some of the GC stories I hear. Nobody ever gives me deals off the ticket price of my jeans and I can't imagine the look I'd get if I even asked (even on some of those jeans that are the price of basses... not that I would buy those to begin with) If the prices aren't ridiculous to begin with I think this is more than fair...Why do we have this notion that when walk into a music store we deserve some kind of freebie with our purchase. Music retail is a pretty sick and rotten industry though (sweeping generalization but not far from the truth)

I don't do it, mostly because I don't think about it, but a lot of people do save money by asking for discounts on display items. I was behind a lady in a Target once, and after her items were rung up she asked for a 10% discount....and got it!

[Dfinch]

I got an amazing deal on a new Warwick last Tuesday. There was no indication that they wouldn't negotiate. That could be just because they're clearing out Warwick inventory.

[FiveStringsNme]

just remember.. it won't hurt to ask.. just don't like sound an idiot when you do. GC it is so possible to talk GC down.

[oasis02]

The BEST deals are on phase-out items like the famed Blizzard Pearl Jazz basses at $599.

They certainly are willing to negotiate, if asked. I also heard about the no-haggle policy, but it never took-hold at our store.

These guys need to eat, and if they can still sell at a profit, they will do so.

[midnite]

Just before Thanksgiving was looking on-line at Fender Victor Bailey 5 string.MRSP 2499(to go up in 2009).All the usual on-line vendors have it at 1999.If you wait you may get a special 10-15% off that can be matched.Happened to be at GC and saw it marked at 1699.Asked about any "deals"and was able to get 10% off.But waiting until day after Thanksgiving got one item only 15% off.Even with sales tax still walked out with Bass,case,accessories and Hurcules stand for 1600.Used the 12 month same as cash....no interest ,no payment 12 months!!!!PAYS to research and ask for sure.

P.S. saw the Markbass F1 on clearance in store for 499!street price usually 749-799.

[MarkMyWordsXx]

Originally Posted by Bluesbreaker5

It's the little things like this that makes a business successful. You'll remember this and you won't mind paying full price for your next purchase, and yes, there will be a next purchase because of this act.

More businesses need to put the customer first. A blanket policy of "it is what it is" will certainly drive business....to somewhere else.

i never pay full price. the only things i buy there are on clearance. They deff do not put there customers first, most of the time it takes longer for me to find someone to ring me up and take the commission then it does for me to decide to buy something.

sorry to ruin your speach

[KsPiNeSh]

Originally Posted by sargebaker

I can't speak for Guitar Centre, but I used to work for a small Mom & Pop type of music store geared towards students (we also had a school) The store has since closed (the school, still alive and well). We pretty much had a tag price only policy and frankly, if the price is fair, I don't see what's wrong with it. I can't tell you how annoying it is when every tom harry dick and joe blow came in asking for deals and twisting arms. We'd often have sales, and clearances on old stocks etc or cut some small deals like including a gigbag or a small accessory, but never really like some of the GC stories I hear. Nobody ever gives me deals off the ticket price of my jeans and I can't imagine the look I'd get if I even asked (even on some of those jeans that are the price of basses... not that I would buy those to begin with) If the prices aren't ridiculous to begin with I think this is more than fair...Why do we have this notion that when walk into a music store we deserve some kind of freebie with our purchase. Music retail is a pretty sick and rotten industry though (sweeping generalization but not far from the truth)

I do it all the time. Got 30% off of some clothes not too long ago from a major chain store. 25% off of a hat, $30 off some shoes, $50 off a $150 piece of gear... all at big name stores. Just ask and don't be afraid to walk if they say no - money talks, especially right now