another guitar center story

btbraden · #1 09-14-2011, 09:58 AM

so the other day I got a phone call from Mike at my local Guitar Center, saying "hey I saw your ad on Craigslist for your svt 4 pro, if you're having trouble selling it, we would be glad to take alook at it and buy it from you or take it as trade in"

WOw can you believe that Guitar center is cold calling people off their craigslist ads to try and buy their stuff, couldn't believe it myself

just thought I would share and see if anyone else has had similiar experiences

N.F.A. · #2 09-14-2011, 10:04 AM

I have had that happen before too.

electracoyote · #3 09-14-2011, 10:08 AM

That GC even deals in used gear amazes me. What a mess.

That being said, GC is trying to get yer butt into the store so they can offer you a discounted street value for your item in partial trade for a new piece of gear.

Sales people have to sell stuff, it's their job, and the kind of pressure these people are under to sell, I don't blame them for getting creative.

jimmydean · #4 09-14-2011, 10:08 AM

My biggest beef with GC is having " ON HOLD' product(s) on the floor.I understand why they do it , but it's really annoying to go to the counter and be told , it's on hold for two more weeks,ect,ect ! This has happend to me four times ! Hay GC , PLEASE TAG THESE ITEMS OR GET THEM OFF THE SALES FLOOR !!!!!!!!

drummer5359 · #5 09-14-2011, 10:09 AM

That explains a lot. I've seen things posted on craigslist suddenly pop up at GC used site locally. I assumed that the sellers had changed their minds and sold it to GC. This makes more sense as I've been seeing it happen more and more.

btbraden · #6 09-14-2011, 10:10 AM

yeah i've had the on hold thing happen to me on a really sweet gandl asat, "sorry man got to wait 3 weeks" WHY IS IT EVEN ON THE FLOOR???

electracoyote · #7 09-14-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btbraden

yeah i've had the on hold thing happen to me on a really sweet gandl asat, "sorry man got to wait 3 weeks" WHY IS IT EVEN ON THE FLOOR???

It's on the floor because they want to instill interest in the item.

It can't be sold for the waiting period because they have to run a thorough background check on the item to be sure it hasn't been reported stolen. To do otherwise could potentially be trafficking stolen property, a crime.

I'm not a GC employee, and I'm aware they have some flaws, but maybe we can find something substantial to pick on?

bassbully · #8 09-14-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmydean

My biggest beef with GC is having " ON HOLD' product(s) on the floor.I understand why they do it , but it's really annoying to go to the counter and be told , it's on hold for two more weeks,ect,ect ! This has happend to me four times ! Hay GC , PLEASE TAG THESE ITEMS OR GET THEM OFF THE SALES FLOOR !!!!!!!!

This is the local police depts policy that they have to follow.

logicman69 · #9 09-14-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btbraden

so the other day I got a phone call from Mike at my local Guitar Center, saying "hey I saw your ad on Craigslist for your svt 4 pro, if you're having trouble selling it, we would be glad to take alook at it and buy it from you or take it as trade in"

WOw can you believe that Guitar center is cold calling people off their craigslist ads to try and buy their stuff, couldn't believe it myself

just thought I would share and see if anyone else has had similiar experiences

Actually, that's not a bad move on their part.. You put the item up for sale, what's the difference with them expressing intrest verses a private sale. Yes, they are going to offer you less, but most people who contact you on CL will try and lowball you as well. I'll give them credit for taking the initiative to drive business into the stores.

JoeVictim · #10 09-14-2011, 10:56 AM

I was emailed through my craigslist ad by a used music store in this area. Got a fair price too. It's not just GC doing it. When I want to deal with GC these days, I make sure it's through our resident TB, GC, now manager, Jeremiah.

Does GC have flaws? Yes
Can they take you if you don't know what you are doing? Yes. But, so can anyone in any industry.

onlyclave · #11 09-14-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btbraden

so the other day I got a phone call from Mike at my local Guitar Center, saying "hey I saw your ad on Craigslist for your svt 4 pro, if you're having trouble selling it, we would be glad to take alook at it and buy it from you or take it as trade in"

WOw can you believe that Guitar center is cold calling people off their craigslist ads to try and buy their stuff, couldn't believe it myself

just thought I would share and see if anyone else has had similiar experiences

What's the problem? Aren't you trying to sell your amp?

Waffles and Scotch · #12 09-14-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

What's the problem? Aren't you trying to sell your amp?

Exactly.

chokeslam512 · #13 09-14-2011, 10:59 AM

In America, we have a free market economy which investors are free to buy low and sell high. Also, in America, vendors are free to to accept or reject an offer for their wares.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #14 09-14-2011, 11:04 AM

I'd be pretty outraged if someone responded to my craigslist ad trying to purchase my item from me, regardless of who they were!

MatticusMania · #15 09-14-2011, 11:06 AM

Yup, its not necessarily a bad thing. Say you post your gear for sale on CL and no one bites. Time passes, your asking price drops, and still no one bites. You either wait it out, or you sell for less. GC is just providing you an option, you dont have to take the offer if it doesnt suit you.

edbass · #16 09-14-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btbraden

so the other day I got a phone call from Mike at my local Guitar Center, saying "hey I saw your ad on Craigslist for your svt 4 pro, if you're having trouble selling it, we would be glad to take alook at it and buy it from you or take it as trade in"

WOw can you believe that Guitar center is cold calling people off their craigslist ads to try and buy their stuff, couldn't believe it myself

just thought I would share and see if anyone else has had similiar experiences

Why on earth would you title this thread "another reason not like GC"?

How is this a problem?
You had a piece of gear for sale on CL, and they called with an offer to buy it or trade for it; isn't that the reason you put it on CL in the first place?

Maliciously slighting GC with your thread title seems pretty ignorant to me...

michael_atw · #17 09-14-2011, 11:08 AM

That's nothing new or unique. Every business has feelers out. It would be stupid for GC to not do that. My last job, I worked for a graphics print company and they always reminded us to keep our eyes and ears out for new customers.

Jeff Huber · #18 09-14-2011, 11:11 AM

My favorite GC tale is the one where I call the 800 number to ask if my local store will honor the web sale price and they tell me yes. Then I call the local store and ask the same question and they tell me yes. Then I drive to the store and ask if they're really going to honor the web sale price and they tell me no.

Guaranteed lowest price? Hell, they won't even match their own price.

Edward G. · #19 09-14-2011, 11:13 AM

Used equipment has a much higher retail markup on it than new stuff. It is far more profitable for any business to sell used when it can.

Gearhead17 · #20 09-14-2011, 11:16 AM

The GC in my area offers 10% any new item in the store (minus Mesa Boogie) when you trade in a piece of gear. As long as it works and can be sold, you win. It's not a bad deal.

Think of it this way when you trade in a bass guitar: $500 for a new bass, $250 half price, $100-$150 to the seller and 10% off a $2,000 Ampeg SVT CL.

So you made about $125 on the sale and got $200 (10% trade in). $325 total and that is probably more than craigslist would get you. It pays more to buy expensive gear.

When I worked at GC, I almost had to do the craigslist phone calls. One phone call to a craigslist person is alright by me. Harassing people with more than 1 call is not right when the first call is declined.