Is there a "I Hate Guitar Center" club?

Bass Hero · #1 12-03-2007, 05:21 PM

After finishing a 45 minute plus phone call trying to place an order I am done with them. I wouldn't have even ordered with them this time but I have this nice 20% off voucher as a result of my last horrible experience with Guitar Center. I was even refused several times when I asked to speak with a manager. I couldn't believe it. I'll spare the rest of the details as I'm sure there a lot of these stories.

If the club doesn't exist yet I'll take #1

bryan bailey · #2 12-03-2007, 05:25 PM

#2 right here.

bassbully · #3 12-03-2007, 06:00 PM

here we go again...your personal experience may vary...i have gotten killer deals and made friends and connections at mine.

bryan bailey · #4 12-03-2007, 06:47 PM

As have I. I still don't like the place.

Snarf · #5 12-03-2007, 07:13 PM

Stop hatin'. The reason you couldn't get a manager was probably because they were really, really, really, really, really busy, as all GC managers are. You are not the center of the universe, nor a beautiful and unique snowflake. More of an annoying customer that doesn't know how hard that job actually is. Ever try working those green screens? Ever try to do something complicated with them? Just give the "I hate guitar center" thing a rest, it's unattractive.

bluestarbass · #6 12-04-2007, 06:30 AM

Without posting details we cant know that you wernt blowing this out of proportion. I worked part time at a sam ash for a few years. I saw customers get angry at stuff they should not have been angry about that was their fault. I saw stay calm and sane and stuff I would have flown off the bar about. I was in there the other day and some new guy was talking to a manager friend of mine. He was argueing with a customer. It was a pa Ohm issue. Thing is the customer was completely right and the employee was completely wrong. They hire high schools kids and people who really dont know what they are talking about. BUT, while i worked there there were just as many super knowledgeable people. You just have to find the good ones.

Alan Vorse · #7 12-04-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

Stop hatin'. The reason you couldn't get a manager was probably because they were really, really, really, really, really busy, as all GC managers are. You are not the center of the universe, nor a beautiful and unique snowflake. More of an annoying customer that doesn't know how hard that job actually is. Ever try working those green screens? Ever try to do something complicated with them? Just give the "I hate guitar center" thing a rest, it's unattractive.

Wow, you must have great customer service skills.

You think a huge corporation like that could update their computer system from those 1982 Commodore 64's they have.

Febs · #8 12-04-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

The reason you couldn't get a manager was probably because they were really, really, really, really, really busy, as all GC managers are. You are not the center of the universe,

So if that's the case, why should I give them my business?

Edit: actually, I have bought one guitar at Guitar Center. But I've bought many more guitars and basses from local proprietors who will take the time to pay attention to me, provide service after the sale, and actually set up the instruments they sell.

mjolnir · #9 12-04-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Vorse

Wow, you must have great customer service skills.

You think a huge corporation like that could update their computer system from those 1982 Commodore 64's they have.

You'd be surprised how much more efficient those older systems can be compared to newer hardware and software.

If all of the Guitar Center Corporation was running XP right now, or even (god forbid...) Vista, do you have any idea how much more often it would crash?

Sometimes, especially with computers, it's wise to stick to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" policy. Give 'em a break.

Bass Hero · #10 12-04-2007, 08:41 AM

I was prepared to make a 5 minute phone call ordering 2 items and applying a promotion code. What I got was over 45 minutes of a very aggravating experience that I don't wish to repeat. No I am not the center of the universe, I'm just a developing musician with thousands and thousands to spend on gear in the future. I'd rather go somewhere else. As far as their computers go mjolinir is right. I don't think their slow computers added more than 5 minutes to the call, 95% of it seemed to be the guy that thought I was buying a fish or an ale rather than musical equipment.

Snarf · #11 12-04-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Vorse

Wow, you must have great customer service skills.

You think a huge corporation like that could update their computer system from those 1982 Commodore 64's they have.

I can talk like this because I don't work there anymore. When I was there, I did my job and I did it well, and that means good customer service.

They're not commodores, but they are similar. The thing is, those green screens are pretty fast, BUT, if you haven't been working them for a year, they're incredibly cryptic and hard to figure out, especially since employee training doesn't cover much on the computers. So you have to figure it out for yourself, or have someone else do the stuff you don't know if you're handling a customer.

Oh, and if you type one little thing wrong or hit enter one extra time, it takes a while to correct. Your keystrokes have to be perfect to make things go quickly.

mjolnir · #12 12-04-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

They're not commodores, but they are similar. The thing is, those green screens are pretty fast, BUT, if you haven't been working them for a year, they're incredibly cryptic and hard to figure out, especially since employee training doesn't cover much on the computers. So you have to figure it out for yourself, or have someone else do the stuff you don't know if you're handling a customer.

Oh, and if you type one little thing wrong or hit enter one extra time, it takes a while to correct. Your keystrokes have to be perfect to make things go quickly.

Well, you gotta take the good with the bad, really. You have all those problems, sure, but after a few years of IT work, specifically installing these systems and installing more "up-to-date" systems has shown me this:

Those commodore-esque systems yield far less technical support calls than the windows based ones.

In the end, however, I agree with the original poster in that great or even good GC customer service reps are few and far between. I just happen to be lucky enough to know who the great ones at my local GC are.

Thunderitter · #13 12-04-2007, 12:29 PM

GC works for me, but echoing the post above you need to get to know the staff a little and that means buying some gear not just playing it all the time!

This time of year is the busiest for GC employees so they are literally running around like blue-a##d flies at the peak times - so avoid lunchtime, Friday pm and all day Sat and Sun pm if you can. I was talking to a mate who works there the other day and I was blown away by the numbers they do at from T'giving up to Xmas!

From experience the phoning is only useful to see if your 'preferred' salesperson is there and nothing else. GC is very much a 'doing it in person' store although the Store Manager is not usually the person to deal with - try the assistant as they usually have more time.

winston · #14 12-04-2007, 12:51 PM

There are some Guitar Centers I hate (the Alta Arden store in Sacramento, CA comes to mind). I've had better luck at my current local GCs (El Cerrito and Concord, CA).

I don't go GC expecting great service or knowledgeable salespeople so I'm rarely offended/disappointed. What I do expect is abused/plundered/poorly setup instruments, wanking teen shredders, and glassy-eyed hipster salesdorks named Travis who talk a lot but don't actually know much about their products.

On the occasions when I don't encounter such conditions I'm pleasantly surprised, and have gotten some good deals on quality gear. It helps to get to know salespeople and only deal with them. The best times to shop at GC are 1) not during holidays or weekends and 2) when the kiddies are at skool--morning to early afternoon.