Guitar Center is a joke

gizmobltd · #1 11-13-2007, 06:59 PM

If you read my other post you would know my birthday was recent and I had cash in my new bass fund. So on Monday I down to guitar center to pick up my Yamaha bass. I loved it and when I got home I just couldnt stop playin it. So i was all pumped up when i was going to lesson today (tuesday).

When i got in my guitar teach chuck asked if he can see my new purchase. Then he said hey not to burst your bubble but this has a curve/bow on the neck. He said nobody adjusted it from getting it out of the box. Surprised about the defect i went strait to guitar center after lessons. The guy was incapable of fixing it. He was asking guys what way was right for righty tighty lefty loosey. Then he called many people on the phone for instruction. After a half hour it was 7 30 when i asked if I could just have my money back. After fifteen minutes in the back he came out with my check, and said he was very sorry. So I asked him how could they let people walk out with defective merchandise. My exact word were "How could you let people walk out of your store with this, don't you even check this stuff on all new instruments??" He said " Oh no we don't check it because there are too many to be checked." So they are skipping out on quality for quantity. Whats the moral here don't by from Guitar center?? I know they left a bad taste in my mouth.

grovest · #2 11-13-2007, 07:04 PM

Many people buy from Guitar Center for their large selection and low prices. Then some have issues with poor service. How do you think largish-selection and low prices are possible? What has to 'give'?

It is common for new basses, especially GC basses, to need a setup. The moral of the story could be: ask for one before finalizing the purchase, or budget for a setup from a pro or local tech, or learn to do your own setups.

Busker · #3 11-13-2007, 07:08 PM

There was probably nothing wrong with the bass other than needing a half turn or so on the truss rod. Someone at the store should have been able to do it, too bad they could not at the time.

But they gave you your money back on demand. A lot of stores wouldn't have done that, I'll bet.

Sounds like a pretty good store to me, other than needing someone to adjust a truss rod.

allexcosta · #4 11-13-2007, 07:09 PM

Nice joke!!

gizmobltd · #5 11-13-2007, 07:11 PM

the guy on site was trying to fix it for a half hour and pretty much gave up

fenderhutz · #6 11-13-2007, 07:14 PM

You expect Best Buy to boot up every peice of electronic gadget before you walk out of the door(?), because Guitar Center is the Best Buy of Music Stores. Moving product and making district sales numbers, as most corporate retail establishments.

Buy local, pay a few extra bucks more for the same item, but you get personal service. Or buy from people on TB, they usually have the basses fit and finished and you are almost set to get a well playing bass.

I find most guitar centers aren't humid enough and the necks get dried and warped from the lack of moisture. You have to pray that the bass hasn't sit on the hanger for more than 3 months or you are screwed.

srxplayer · #7 11-13-2007, 07:15 PM

Not to sound like a jerk but if it was that bad you should not have walked out of the store with that bass. Maybe you should have picked a different one. At least the guy tried to do something. GC does not work on guitars or anything so they really had no obligation to do anything except exchange it or refund your money. It sounds like they actually tried to go beyond what they were supposed to do.

Two of the local GC's in my area use an outside company to come in a do set ups. It's not like what you would get at a pro shop but it's not as bad as some. It still can't keep up with all of the goofs who go in there and screw with everything.

Remember that that kind of set up and prep ads to the overheads and cuts into the profit margins of smaller retailers. So don't expect the GC price when you buy it at one of those stores that don't "suck"...And don't try to low ball them when they won't do your set up for free, throw in extra strings and a strap and sell you an SKB44 case at cost...Because what are you gonna do? Tell them that you can buy it for less at guitar center? Waaaaaaahhhhhhh

steve66 · #8 11-13-2007, 07:17 PM

I wouldn't call a truss rod adjustment a defect. Now, if the truss rod was broken, thats a different story. If you are serious about your instrument, you should invest in some tools and learn how to do a basic setup yourself.

gizmobltd · #9 11-13-2007, 07:17 PM

My first bass i bought at a local music store and i broke a tuning knob. It was completely my fault and they fixed it for free. Thats where i'm getting my next one.I eve offered to pay like 5 times.

brianbj46 · #10 11-13-2007, 07:18 PM

I would rather do the setups myself than trust guitar center employees to try it.
I went into my local GC to play around, had some nice new stingrays sitting out, they were awesome.
A few weeks later i went in again, found the same stingrays, but someone had done absolute atrocities to the setups. I'm pretty sure someone was TRYING to do a setup and failed, the saddles were all over the place, the action was terrible, i couldn't even play on it.
Another time i picked up a SR505, tried it out, the action was so low that the strings couldn't even vibrate, they were up against the frets.

gizmobltd · #11 11-13-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve66

I wouldn't call a truss rod adjustment a defect. Now, if the truss rod was broken, thats a different story. If you are serious about your instrument, you should invest in some tools and learn how to do a basic setup yourself.

The guy said the truss was broken and thats why he could not fix it.

Bass Mule · #12 11-13-2007, 07:19 PM

Doesn't sound like it was defective, but maybe just badly needed a set-up. You seemed pretty happy with the bass before someone told you it needed a set-up. Why didn't your guitar teach chuck adjust it for you, or show you how?

Tslicebass · #13 11-13-2007, 07:19 PM

Tell me something i dont know

Whenever i go there now i insist on dealing with a manager for anything other than small purchases (cords, strings etc)
That is the only way to go over there. As a former salesperson and a alumni of the guitar center training program i can tell you that most low level gc employess have been at the strore for less than a year or so. The turn over rate is ridiculous. And they are not exactly picky about who they hire.
And as far as getting a in store set up good luck. That is why most gc's outsource repairs to another shop
BTW i lasted a month before i wanted to blow my brains out everytime i walked into that store.

gizmobltd · #14 11-13-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srxplayer

Not to sound like a jerk but if it was that bad you should not have walked out of the store with that bass. ...

Yes but i am only playing a year and i should have taken a experienced person with me. You are right.

gizmobltd · #15 11-13-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Mule

Doesn't sound like it was defective, but maybe just badly needed a set-up. You seemed pretty happy with the bass before someone told you it needed a set-up. Why didn't your guitar teach chuck adjust it for you, or show you how?

He didn't have the tools or anything. Any way i am going to get it at a local store.

gizmobltd · #16 11-13-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tslicebass

Tell me something i dont know

Whenever i go there now i insist on dealing with a manager for anything other than small purchases (cords, strings etc)
That is the only way to go over there. As a former salesperson and a alumni of the guitar center training program i can tell you that most low level gc employess have been at the strore for less than a year or so. The turn over rate is ridiculous. And they are not exactly picky about who they hire.
And as far as getting a in store set up good luck. That is why most gc's outsource repairs to another shop
BTW i lasted a month before i wanted to blow my brains out everytime i walked into that store.

HeHe but the strap I got was good and the hook, but how could they mess that up.

NorCal Dog · #17 11-13-2007, 07:30 PM

looks like GC refunded the cash, so what's the joke ? their policy is,,, if for any reason you're not saatisfied with your purchase, they will replace or refund within 30 days.

sounds like a great policy to me

i think the jokes on you,, as it took your " teacher " to inform you that your neck was tweeaked....

gizmobltd · #18 11-13-2007, 07:46 PM

I bought a brand new bass. Nothing should be wrong with it. They should look over the new stuff when it gets shipped in.

BegBass · #19 11-13-2007, 07:52 PM

They don't care about you, they just want the commission!

Funkus Barfucal · #20 11-13-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizmobltd

I bought a brand new bass. Nothing should be wrong with it. They should look over the new stuff when it gets shipped in.

Quit Whining and playing the victim. YOU chose the bass. You enjoyed it until your bass teacher told you there was something out of order. If you are not qualified to choose the bass in the first place, why did you take it upon yourself to do so?

If you don't know how to service your own instrument, why are you even playing?