Would you Buy a Used Bass From Guitar Center?

[GlassOnion]

Blah blah blah. Return policy is king. Look past the neighsayer's. If you want it, buy it, if you do not vibe with it, return it.

[ggvicviper]

Yes, definitely. I bought one of my favorite cheapness from there. NicJimBass also bought a nice Peavey Foundation MIA bass for $100 used.

However, I would have the bass shipped to the nearest store first, and try before you leave. GC has a good return policy.

[Cookye]

Absolutley I would have to play it first but I had an amazing and once in a lifetime find at guitar center in a used instrument.

A rare find at Guitar Center

[moorebass]

I've purchased several used instruments from GC, both online and at my local store. I've never had an issue and have even made some $ reselling some of them. The 30 day return policy to a local store can't be beat - as a matter of fact, I just made use of it this week on a used Le Fay Herr Schwarz. The bass was exactly as they described on the site and in numerous emails with store personnel, and they worked with me on the price. The tone and ergonomics just weren't for me. If I'd have purchased it here on TB I'd have paid considerably more and probably lost quite a bit in PayPal and shipping fees when I sold it. As it turned out, I was only out the $25 Guitar Center charged me to ship from Columbus, OH to OKC.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by GlassOnion

Blah blah blah. Return policy is king. Look past the neighsayer's. If you want it, buy it, if you do not vibe with it, return it.

+1

Those that are saying you'd need to try it first. You can try it...with your own rig, at home, in band practice, at a gig, whatever. 30 whole days.

You don't like it? Simply bring it back to any store and return it. No need to explain how that scratch got there. It's the easiest thing in the world.

[kellyrojo]

Yep. It's a win win situation as long as you have a go near you. One thing I would do to make sure about everything would be to call the store and have someone pick the bass up and describe it in detail to a t. You still won't know everything about it though. They rating system is bs anyway.
I got my l2000 used from g c for a good deal and it is a beast!

[kai_ski]

Usually if you negotiate they will cover shipping.

30 days return policy, no questions asked. Why would you be concerned about having an item shipped to you?

[Arial Bender]

American Special P-bass 2010 On layaway now @ local GC. $499.00. Same one here on CL. 850.00, Of course he's dreaming.

[JLY]

I purchased a fretless Stingray 5, located it online, called the store to discuss the condition and had it shipped to my home. The bass was exactly as advertised and I love it.... Shipping was cheap. So yes I would do it in a heartbeat. I would never buy one from EBay. Just another note: I also purchased a Epifani can and the actual cab was a Epifunky and not the UL they advertised. I brought it back to the local GC and got full refund with no problems... That GC then put it back on line and again advertised it as a Ul! With their return policy-it is hard to beat. Sorry for any typos- I phone!

[1stnamebassist]

Bought two basses recently, a Jack Casady and a Danelectro Longhorn. The Dano was a great buy the Casady had issues with the pots but I had to wait over two months to get it fixed. Brought it back to GC recently to get it fixed, but they couldn't fix it so they refunded my money no problems. Just got my new Epi Thunderbird Classic 4 today from them and besides a truss rod tweak and setting bridge and intonation a bit it is perfect. No complaints here on buying used though.

[Spleenface92]

I've had great experience with used guitarcenter stuff...I mean all of it was stuff I tried out in the store and fell in love with, but still.

[Brad Johnson]

Some of the most ridiculous deals I've ever found or been involved in have been with GC. I'd buy from them again with zero qualms.

I once bought a new old stock Alembic Series II (IIRC) 4 string for $5700 off of retail while on business in Georgia... $2200. After I received it I realized it wasn't a good fit for me so I tried to pass it on for what I paid. I'm sure some didn't jump on it because it looked too good to be true. So within 30 days I returned it to my local GC.

Funny thing happened... within a month or two the same bass ended up for sale for double what I paid for it and sold immediately.

This may not even be the best deal I've gotten on used gear at GC.

[Melonthief]

Guitar center isn't nearly as evil as people paint it. A direct answer to your question - if you know what you want and do your homework nobody can rip you off.

[garmenteros]

I bought my fretless ibanez precision from them and have no complaints other than the fact that it was pretty dirty when they shipped it.

[Showdown]

I've bought one from GC online. It was a good experience. I would have no problem doing it again.

[turdman]

I was in the same situation. You do get 30 days, so if it is messed up or doesn't play to your liking bring it back! I have brought back 2 guitars, before I picked the one that I liked. It is tough buying used online though, because its like a car you don't know who owned it and if they abused it. Again you get 30 days and they cant tell you no you cant bring this back within that allotted time period.

[fourtet102]

GC sometimes has stupid awesome deals and it all comes with return policy. For instance, once I found Jazz Roadworn for $499 which, if you call your local store, may end up being OTD price with tax and shipping included.

[Rockin Mike]

Their new stuff is kind of -meh- in my book, but you never know what you'll find used.
I snapped up a used Blueburst Rickenbacker recently and very happy about that.

Try before you buy and/or take advantage of 30 day return policy.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by Melonthief

Guitar center isn't nearly as evil as people paint it.

No one ever forced me to walk into one. It's basically the McDonald's of music. The used pickings are by far the most interesting stuff there, when it's there.

[pbass62]

I have made 4 major purchases from Guitar Center used and had nothing short of 1st class service