Thinking about getting a job at Guitar Center...

Mutant Corn · #1 07-27-2008, 02:32 AM

Anybody know what all is involved? I have the credentials and the staff seem nice, but before I turn in an application I want to know if there's something I'm missing.

FL Knifemaker · #2 07-27-2008, 02:41 AM

Just remember that it's company policy to address eveyone as DOOOODE, not sir

warwick.hoy · #3 07-27-2008, 02:48 AM

As long as you aren't too attached to your soul I'd say you have all your ducks in a row.

Okay, I'm sure there are some great people that work at GC, but that place is still the Wal-mart of Musical Instrument Retailers.

thumpbass1 · #4 07-27-2008, 08:40 AM

I'm curious as well to what it's really like to work for GC. I know they've upped the anty on lower wages and general commision than what most other musical gear retailers pay, which ain't a whole lot to begin with. Maybe some former or current GC employees can share what they do like about GC, and what they hate about it. I'm considering applying with the company because of rumors that they are gonna' be coming awful close to my hometown and I wouldn't mind a part time gig of this nature.

fenderhutz · #5 07-27-2008, 08:43 AM

If you know alot about instruments, tuning, and keeping the necks in well playing order. That job probably isn't for you.

If you are keen about hitting sales quotas and selling a bunch of accessories people don't really need to make the store money, you have hit the jackpot.

They aren't Wal-Mart of music stores, they are the Best Buy, trying to sell you crap you don't need.

warwick.hoy · #6 07-27-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

If you know alot about instruments, tuning, and keeping the necks in well playing order. That job probably isn't for you.

If you are keen about hitting sales quotas and selling a bunch of accessories people don't really need to make the store money, you have hit the jackpot.

They aren't Wal-Mart of music stores, they are the Best Buy, trying to sell you crap you don't need.

indeed

Mutant Corn · #7 07-28-2008, 04:44 PM

From my experiences in my local GC, the staff honestly try to help you...southern hospitality and all that. The GC in Little Rock is an awesome place.

I'm thinking most of them are just there for the employee discount...

I got to thinking, though...they get paid on commission, and more people selling stuff means less money to go around...so would I be treated like "the new guy"?

Visirale · #8 07-28-2008, 04:49 PM

If you don't make quota you're fired. So that's pretty stressful.

whoatherechunk · #9 07-28-2008, 04:52 PM

wonderful

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

If you don't make quota you're fired. So that's pretty stressful.

Mutant Corn · #10 07-28-2008, 05:33 PM

^ well that's no fun...

fenderhutz · #11 07-28-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutant Corn

^ well that's no fun...

And proves they aren't customer centric. They are revenue centric.

Mutant Corn · #12 07-28-2008, 05:40 PM

well a business has to make money...

AFAIK though, the one in Little Rock is one of two in the entire state, and there's one more in another state that's about the same distance, which is 3+ hours from anywhere but the northeast part of the state. It's pretty much THE guitar store for the entire central part of the state. (at least for anyone who doesn't play country...)

Would I still have trouble with a part-time quota?

MyUsernameHere · #13 07-28-2008, 05:46 PM

There's a quota for sales there. I would have never thought so. I think out of twenty or thirty times I've been to a GC I've had a grand total of two people offer to help me...and I don't necessarily look like some 16 year old with no money, just look like a scum bag.

I was looking in the bass sections though, so it might be that they just didn't have anyone in the store who knew GC even carried bass guitars.

tplyons · #14 07-28-2008, 06:33 PM

Apply, the worst thing that'll happen is they give you a job.

I assure you I'm over qualified, know their gear in and out, and happen to play a large portion of what they sell. They never even gave me a call, an email, or anything. I inquired with the manager and was told I wasn't qualified.

Guess I didn't have enough facial piercings.

Mutant Corn · #15 07-28-2008, 06:41 PM

^ well that sucks

Well, I'm a music major at UALR, am finishing up an associates in Welding Technology at Arkansas State, am qualified to drive a forklift, know a fair bit about gear and how it works, and can set up and tune their guitars...would that be enough?

I might be too young...I'm 18 and look it

Visirale · #16 07-28-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Apply, the worst thing that'll happen is they give you a job.

I assure you I'm over qualified, know their gear in and out, and happen to play a large portion of what they sell. They never even gave me a call, an email, or anything. I inquired with the manager and was told I wasn't qualified.

Guess I didn't have enough facial piercings.

Agreed. I worked for their band instruments/low end guitar subsidiary, Music and Arts Center for 8 months and knew all about their business practices and what not. I knew the system in and out. I would have been an easy person to add to the crew. I called them because I wanted to work there over this summer. They called me and were pretty much offering the job, asking about my experience and told them I was a music major (I was at the time). And then they were like "Oh we don't hire school kids, it usually doesn't work out." And that was that.

I do respect the company. I've had some great experiences there and I'm always helped out when I need something. But they are definitely about moving gear and making a (big) profit. They're definitely looking for salesmen first, musicians at a distant second.

MarkAtGC · #17 07-29-2008, 05:55 PM

Hey there. I work at Guitar Center Corporate. Thanks for your interest in joining us. I can tell you right now that working at a GC location definitely requires a LOVE of gear and music. It's pretty much ALL you'll be dealing with. The more you know about the gear, the better the service you'll be able to offer customers. It's a sales-based job, so any way you can capitalize on your strengths and be a resource to help people find the right gear, the more successful you'll be.

Head in to your local store and speak with the store manager. They'll be glad to share some time with you to discuss what it's like working for GC. The first thing they'll have you do is fill out the pre-application here:

www.guitarcentercareers.com

Save yourself some time and fill that out ahead of time. Then you guys can just talk shop. And lastly, just get a feel for the store. It's a face-paced bustling environment. If that's for you, then we'd love to have you. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions. I'll be glad to help. Thanks again!

Mark
mark@guitarcenter.com
gcwebcommunity@guitarcenter.com

bradjonesbass · #18 07-29-2008, 06:02 PM

I literally just LOL'd

Valerus · #19 07-29-2008, 06:27 PM

hahah

Benjamin Strange · #20 07-29-2008, 07:02 PM

If you like listening to and playing music, avoid working at GC. I managed one of their stores for 3 years, and I rarely wanted to hear anything after one of my insanely long shifts. The noise pollution that infests your work environment every day is almost unbearable.

The biggest trouble with GC is they officially say one thing, while unofficially say something entirely different. They say they want you to gig - but frown upon you asking for time off to do it. They say they want you to push the gear that you are passionate about - but won't support those lines, regardless of how profitable you are with them. They say they want to carry the kind of gear that attracts professionals - yet slowly have killed off most of the interesting gear in favor of cheap foreign made crap. They say they won't tolerate theft - yet they protect salesmen who rip each other off (we call this a GP Shield (GP=gross profit). They say that they want you to advance and be happy within the company - yet require you to sacrafice your entire life for the job.

The entire atmosphere of the place, company wide, is one of a top feeding down scenario. You, as a lowly sales peon, is of little to no worth to those on top. Take a look at their turnover rate: 400% yearly, which means that the average GC employee only lasts 3 months. They consistently reduce the wages and comission rates for the bottom rung guys, yet hand out over 1.5 million dollars in bonuses to upper management every year. It seems that the bottom line is all that matters, and sales people are nothing but bantha fodder.

It's pointless to pursue the gig just for the discounts - if you get a better paying job, that will more than equate what kind of discount you can get.

Your experience may vary, of course, but I could rattle off about 15 of my friends who all have worked there, and are still bitter about the place years after they quit.