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A Tale of 2 cities...another GC complaint thread! Warning .....long post

basspraiser

Jammin for the Lamb!
Supporting Member
Dec 8, 2006
22,921
8,839
Chicago - NW Burbs
Yesterday, I was advised by a great TBer @Fred312b

That this bass:

For Sale - Jerry Scheff Lakeland 5 string american made

Came up for a GREAT price used at GC. He knew I liked it but I thought the original price was too high, as was the original GC price...yes the bass had transferred between GC stores for an unknown reason....

After @Fred312b posted, I talked to my better half and asked if I could take the plunge IF I sold my Skyline Scheff 5er...she said yes..as long as I posted he Skyline as soon as I checked out the US Scheff...

I jumped at the chance.

I WAS hoping to be able to play this particular bass this weekend at church...NOT going to happen.

I even paid extra for overnight delivery.

It was supposed to be delivered as stated on the web site "Afternoon after order"....

Well...at 4 PM today I checked the tracking number....WHAT DID IT SAY?????

"The receiver agreed to pickup the package at the UPS location"...I never did SO....I clicked on further...the bass was in VAN NUYS CA!!!!

I Immediately called GC CS to see what they could find out..."Mike" answered the phone...overall nice guy, and asked what he could do for me....I told him the situation and he said "That's Not right....let me check into it"....He also commented that the notes appear to imply that I had it delivered to a GC Store in CA.

He came back and said "UPS called you and you said you would pick it up" ..I said "Why would I do that - it was supposed to be delivered to my house and I live in Illinois and NOT CA!"...He was flabbergasted.....He had no idea what to do.

He said..."The tracking numbers probably got mixed up....you'll get your bass tonight"....I was not as sure as he was....I asked him to check into it.

He said he had to call the store that sold it for more info....after about 15 minutes on hold (with horrific music) he told me no CS managers were not on site at the store and thus, nothing could happen until Monday.

I told him I wanted the bass to play in church on Sunday...and that is why I ordered it overnight shipping.....he offered to refund the shipping costs (which I won't really know is actually applied until my next credit card bill)....I told him I wanted more than that...and he said..."That's up to store management...which will have to wait until Monday".

I told him that would be OK but what should I do to assure I got my bass? He assured me he'll get it figured out Monday IF...IF he works on Monday...(what kind of organization is GC if you work on Friday and don't know if you work on Monday???)

I told him that if someone was expecting a package....he/she would pick it up from UPS, take it home....open it....maybe carefully (able to repack)...and maybe NOT (unable to repack)...and THEN figure out he/she got the wrong package. They would then call UPS and who knows how long it would take them to get it back to UPS for shipping...

Who knows how long that would take??

Over the course of our conversation, he gave me 3 manager's names to speak to on Monday.....I tried to tell him "It's GC's fault..have the manager call me"...he said "Sorry -we don't do that" (and they wonder WHY they have poor CS ratings and may be going bankrupt!!).

He assured me that a particular manager (2 of the three were...as it turns out...NOT working on Monday) would follow up with the store on Monday and I would get me my bass by Tuesday...I asked "how?" he said [insert manager's name here] would follow up...I asked who had the bass...he was not sure...so I asked "If you do not know where the bass is....at UPS or someone's house..HOW can you assure me I'll have it by Tuesday?" He fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

Another thing that is frustrating is that they (CS) are in Utah (an hour behind me and 2 hours behind the store that sold me the bass)

I told him that after Thursday I leave for a week's long conference and want the bass before I leave so I can check it out...he said "You WILL have it Tuesday or Wednesday".....I again asked HOW can you assure me?" He again fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

He even went as far as to blame UPS again for putting the wrong tracking number on the wrong package....and that I may even receive the bass tonight...well it's 10:00 and NO delivery yet.

The ironic thing is that the bass was in Rockford (at the airport and less than 50 miles from me) at 10 PM last night...(before flying to CA)...I could'a picked it up there!

How...just HOW does a simple on-line order get so screwed up?????

I did not get a package so it was not like 2 packages got the shipping labels swapped....so huh????

Where is the Van Nuy's person's package???

I hope he does not keep the bass and that I eventually get it...

I really never shop GC...this is a reason to keep NOT doing so....

PS - "Mike" was a very very nice person and was doing everything he could in a bad situation....I do not blame him in any event....he was great to deal with...but I am very sorry he works for such a bad company.
 
Yesterday, I was advised by a great TBer @Fred312b

That this bass:

For Sale - Jerry Scheff Lakeland 5 string american made

Came up for a GREAT price used at GC. He knew I liked it but I thought the original price was too high, as was the original GC price...yes the bass had transferred between GC stores for an unknown reason....

After @Fred312b posted, I talked to my better half and asked if I could take the plunge IF I sold my Skyline Scheff 5er...she said yes..as long as I posted he Skyline as soon as I checked out the US Scheff...

I jumped at the chance.

I WAS hoping to be able to play this particular bass this weekend at church...NOT going to happen.

I even paid extra for overnight delivery.

It was supposed to be delivered as stated on the web site "Afternoon after order"....

Well...at 4 PM today I checked the tracking number....WHAT DID IT SAY?????

"The receiver agreed to pickup the package at the UPS location"...I never did SO....I clicked on further...the bass was in VAN NUYS CA!!!!

I Immediately called GC CS to see what they could find out..."Mike" answered the phone...overall nice guy, and asked what he could do for me....I told him the situation and he said "That's Not right....let me check into it"....He also commented that the notes appear to imply that I had it delivered to a GC Store in CA.

He came back and said "UPS called you and you said you would pick it up" ..I said "Why would I do that - it was supposed to be delivered to my house and I live in Illinois and NOT CA!"...He was flabbergasted.....He had no idea what to do.

He said..."The tracking numbers probably got mixed up....you'll get your bass tonight"....I was not as sure as he was....I asked him to check into it.

He said he had to call the store that sold it for more info....after about 15 minutes on hold (with horrific music) he told me no CS managers were not on site at the store and thus, nothing could happen until Monday.

I told him I wanted the bass to play in church on Sunday...and that is why I ordered it overnight shipping.....he offered to refund the shipping costs (which I won't really know is actually applied until my next credit card bill)....I told him I wanted more than that...and he said..."That's up to store management...which will have to wait until Monday".

I told him that would be OK but what should I do to assure I got my bass? He assured me he'll get it figured out Monday IF...IF he works on Monday...(what kind of organization is GC if you work on Friday and don't know if you work on Monday???)

I told him that if someone was expecting a package....he/she would pick it up from UPS, take it home....open it....maybe carefully (able to repack)...and maybe NOT (unable to repack)...and THEN figure out he/she got the wrong package. They would then call UPS and who knows how long it would take them to get it back to UPS for shipping...

Who knows how long that would take??

Over the course of our conversation, he gave me 3 manager's names to speak to on Monday.....I tried to tell him "It's GC's fault..have the manager call me"...he said "Sorry -we don't do that" (and they wonder WHY they have poor CS ratings and may be going bankrupt!!).

He assured me that a particular manager (2 of the three were...as it turns out...NOT working on Monday) would follow up with the store on Monday and I would get me my bass by Tuesday...I asked "how?" he said [insert manager's name here] would follow up...I asked who had the bass...he was not sure...so I asked "If you do not know where the bass is....at UPS or someone's house..HOW can you assure me I'll have it by Tuesday?" He fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

Another thing that is frustrating is that they (CS) are in Utah (an hour behind me and 2 hours behind the store that sold me the bass)

I told him that after Thursday I leave for a week's long conference and want the bass before I leave so I can check it out...he said "You WILL have it Tuesday or Wednesday".....I again asked HOW can you assure me?" He again fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

He even went as far as to blame UPS again for putting the wrong tracking number on the wrong package....and that I may even receive the bass tonight...well it's 10:00 and NO delivery yet.

The ironic thing is that the bass was in Rockford (at the airport and less than 50 miles from me) at 10 PM last night...(before flying to CA)...I could'a picked it up there!

How...just HOW does a simple on-line order get so screwed up?????

I did not get a package so it was not like 2 packages got the shipping labels swapped....so huh????

Where is the Van Nuy's person's package???

I hope he does not keep the bass and that I eventually get it...

I really never shop GC...this is a reason to keep NOT doing so....

PS - "Mike" was a very very nice person and was doing everything he could in a bad situation....I do not blame him in any event....he was great to deal with...but I am very sorry he works for such a bad company.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. This is similar to what happened to me last week from GC and the Tune fretless fiasco. Same weekend runaround with no one to help. They put the wrong tracking number online and it showed my bass delivered across the country. I knew something was up as it stated the shipping weight at 4 pounds. No return of messages left for the manager at that GC store. GC online was ineffective. After the weekend I got a voice online to track it down and the bass that was supposed to ship to my house was shipped to a local store. They hadn't bothered to look at the order # and call me. They tagged it "will call".

Who trains these people?

I will state that my prior used purchases from GC have been a positive experience whether I kept the instrument or returned it.

Patience brother, and you will prevail.
 
Last edited:
Yesterday, I was advised by a great TBer @Fred312b

That this bass:

For Sale - Jerry Scheff Lakeland 5 string american made

Came up for a GREAT price used at GC. He knew I liked it but I thought the original price was too high, as was the original GC price...yes the bass had transferred between GC stores for an unknown reason....

After @Fred312b posted, I talked to my better half and asked if I could take the plunge IF I sold my Skyline Scheff 5er...she said yes..as long as I posted he Skyline as soon as I checked out the US Scheff...

I jumped at the chance.

I WAS hoping to be able to play this particular bass this weekend at church...NOT going to happen.

I even paid extra for overnight delivery.

It was supposed to be delivered as stated on the web site "Afternoon after order"....

Well...at 4 PM today I checked the tracking number....WHAT DID IT SAY?????

"The receiver agreed to pickup the package at the UPS location"...I never did SO....I clicked on further...the bass was in VAN NUYS CA!!!!

I Immediately called GC CS to see what they could find out..."Mike" answered the phone...overall nice guy, and asked what he could do for me....I told him the situation and he said "That's Not right....let me check into it"....He also commented that the notes appear to imply that I had it delivered to a GC Store in CA.

He came back and said "UPS called you and you said you would pick it up" ..I said "Why would I do that - it was supposed to be delivered to my house and I live in Illinois and NOT CA!"...He was flabbergasted.....He had no idea what to do.

He said..."The tracking numbers probably got mixed up....you'll get your bass tonight"....I was not as sure as he was....I asked him to check into it.

He said he had to call the store that sold it for more info....after about 15 minutes on hold (with horrific music) he told me no CS managers were not on site at the store and thus, nothing could happen until Monday.

I told him I wanted the bass to play in church on Sunday...and that is why I ordered it overnight shipping.....he offered to refund the shipping costs (which I won't really know is actually applied until my next credit card bill)....I told him I wanted more than that...and he said..."That's up to store management...which will have to wait until Monday".

I told him that would be OK but what should I do to assure I got my bass? He assured me he'll get it figured out Monday IF...IF he works on Monday...(what kind of organization is GC if you work on Friday and don't know if you work on Monday???)

I told him that if someone was expecting a package....he/she would pick it up from UPS, take it home....open it....maybe carefully (able to repack)...and maybe NOT (unable to repack)...and THEN figure out he/she got the wrong package. They would then call UPS and who knows how long it would take them to get it back to UPS for shipping...

Who knows how long that would take??

Over the course of our conversation, he gave me 3 manager's names to speak to on Monday.....I tried to tell him "It's GC's fault..have the manager call me"...he said "Sorry -we don't do that" (and they wonder WHY they have poor CS ratings and may be going bankrupt!!).

He assured me that a particular manager (2 of the three were...as it turns out...NOT working on Monday) would follow up with the store on Monday and I would get me my bass by Tuesday...I asked "how?" he said [insert manager's name here] would follow up...I asked who had the bass...he was not sure...so I asked "If you do not know where the bass is....at UPS or someone's house..HOW can you assure me I'll have it by Tuesday?" He fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

Another thing that is frustrating is that they (CS) are in Utah (an hour behind me and 2 hours behind the store that sold me the bass)

I told him that after Thursday I leave for a week's long conference and want the bass before I leave so I can check it out...he said "You WILL have it Tuesday or Wednesday".....I again asked HOW can you assure me?" He again fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

He even went as far as to blame UPS again for putting the wrong tracking number on the wrong package....and that I may even receive the bass tonight...well it's 10:00 and NO delivery yet.

The ironic thing is that the bass was in Rockford (at the airport and less than 50 miles from me) at 10 PM last night...(before flying to CA)...I could'a picked it up there!

How...just HOW does a simple on-line order get so screwed up?????

I did not get a package so it was not like 2 packages got the shipping labels swapped....so huh????

Where is the Van Nuy's person's package???

I hope he does not keep the bass and that I eventually get it...

I really never shop GC...this is a reason to keep NOT doing so....

PS - "Mike" was a very very nice person and was doing everything he could in a bad situation....I do not blame him in any event....he was great to deal with...but I am very sorry he works for such a bad company.
Yesterday, I was advised by a great TBer @Fred312b

That this bass:

For Sale - Jerry Scheff Lakeland 5 string american made

Came up for a GREAT price used at GC. He knew I liked it but I thought the original price was too high, as was the original GC price...yes the bass had transferred between GC stores for an unknown reason....

After @Fred312b posted, I talked to my better half and asked if I could take the plunge IF I sold my Skyline Scheff 5er...she said yes..as long as I posted he Skyline as soon as I checked out the US Scheff...

I jumped at the chance.

I WAS hoping to be able to play this particular bass this weekend at church...NOT going to happen.

I even paid extra for overnight delivery.

It was supposed to be delivered as stated on the web site "Afternoon after order"....

Well...at 4 PM today I checked the tracking number....WHAT DID IT SAY?????

"The receiver agreed to pickup the package at the UPS location"...I never did SO....I clicked on further...the bass was in VAN NUYS CA!!!!

I Immediately called GC CS to see what they could find out..."Mike" answered the phone...overall nice guy, and asked what he could do for me....I told him the situation and he said "That's Not right....let me check into it"....He also commented that the notes appear to imply that I had it delivered to a GC Store in CA.

He came back and said "UPS called you and you said you would pick it up" ..I said "Why would I do that - it was supposed to be delivered to my house and I live in Illinois and NOT CA!"...He was flabbergasted.....He had no idea what to do.

He said..."The tracking numbers probably got mixed up....you'll get your bass tonight"....I was not as sure as he was....I asked him to check into it.

He said he had to call the store that sold it for more info....after about 15 minutes on hold (with horrific music) he told me no CS managers were not on site at the store and thus, nothing could happen until Monday.

I told him I wanted the bass to play in church on Sunday...and that is why I ordered it overnight shipping.....he offered to refund the shipping costs (which I won't really know is actually applied until my next credit card bill)....I told him I wanted more than that...and he said..."That's up to store management...which will have to wait until Monday".

I told him that would be OK but what should I do to assure I got my bass? He assured me he'll get it figured out Monday IF...IF he works on Monday...(what kind of organization is GC if you work on Friday and don't know if you work on Monday???)

I told him that if someone was expecting a package....he/she would pick it up from UPS, take it home....open it....maybe carefully (able to repack)...and maybe NOT (unable to repack)...and THEN figure out he/she got the wrong package. They would then call UPS and who knows how long it would take them to get it back to UPS for shipping...

Who knows how long that would take??

Over the course of our conversation, he gave me 3 manager's names to speak to on Monday.....I tried to tell him "It's GC's fault..have the manager call me"...he said "Sorry -we don't do that" (and they wonder WHY they have poor CS ratings and may be going bankrupt!!).

He assured me that a particular manager (2 of the three were...as it turns out...NOT working on Monday) would follow up with the store on Monday and I would get me my bass by Tuesday...I asked "how?" he said [insert manager's name here] would follow up...I asked who had the bass...he was not sure...so I asked "If you do not know where the bass is....at UPS or someone's house..HOW can you assure me I'll have it by Tuesday?" He fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

Another thing that is frustrating is that they (CS) are in Utah (an hour behind me and 2 hours behind the store that sold me the bass)

I told him that after Thursday I leave for a week's long conference and want the bass before I leave so I can check it out...he said "You WILL have it Tuesday or Wednesday".....I again asked HOW can you assure me?" He again fumbled quite a bit and said "We'll do our best"

He even went as far as to blame UPS again for putting the wrong tracking number on the wrong package....and that I may even receive the bass tonight...well it's 10:00 and NO delivery yet.

The ironic thing is that the bass was in Rockford (at the airport and less than 50 miles from me) at 10 PM last night...(before flying to CA)...I could'a picked it up there!

How...just HOW does a simple on-line order get so screwed up?????

I did not get a package so it was not like 2 packages got the shipping labels swapped....so huh????

Where is the Van Nuy's person's package???

I hope he does not keep the bass and that I eventually get it...

I really never shop GC...this is a reason to keep NOT doing so....

PS - "Mike" was a very very nice person and was doing everything he could in a bad situation....I do not blame him in any event....he was great to deal with...but I am very sorry he works for such a bad company.
I'm very sorry for your experience with GC. I'm sure there is some sort of explanation, although I can't imagine what it would be, that we would all love to find out. I don't think that's going to ever happen though. I have to say, at the risk of everyone wanting me dead, that I have never had that happen to me nor have I ever had a bad experience with GC. I live in Alaska so almost everything musically I have to order. I have bought 6 basses, 1 guitar, 4 amps, and about 8 cabinets from GC. In every case I was treated very good and had nothing go goofy with my purchase save one. I had ordered a bass cab from the Denton TX store. 3 days later, I asked for a tracking number. Never got it. When I asked again, I was put on hold for 20 minutes while the girl looked for a manager. He got to the phone and told me they can't ship it. Couldn't tell me why. I assume someone else sold it and they didn't want to tell me. They did refund my money. This was ok with me, simple mistake I assume, except the manager told me I would get a $100.00 gift card for my troubles but I never did get it. It bothers the crap out of me when someone makes a stupid mistake but can't own it then make promises they can't keep because they're afraid of getting fired or something like that. They just pile one screw up after another. I wish you the best with getting your bass asap. I hope you give them another chance. I'd ask for a manager at their headquarters. Maybe they'll make it up to you. They never did with me but I never called a manager or followed up.
Have a great weekend my friend.
 
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It’s easy to transpose/screw up tracking #s. Do you have a UPS my choice account? They’re free and you will get alerts when something is shipping to you and you can see the tracking info. I have accounts with both UPS and FedEx (and get alerts from USPS as well) which helps to keep track of things, plus you can change delivery options.

Now if they just screwed up and sent it to the wrong place, that’s a whole other story.

And for the record, I’m not a great TB’er, I’m an enabler :D
 
It’s easy to transpose/screw up tracking #s. Do you have a UPS my choice account? They’re free and you will get alerts when something is shipping to you and you can see the tracking info. I have accounts with both UPS and FedEx (and get alerts from USPS as well) which helps to keep track of things, plus you can change delivery options.

Now if they just screwed up and sent it to the wrong place, that’s a whole other story.

And for the record, I’m not a great TB’er, I’m an enabler :D


Ok ok... Whatever you want to call yourself

I am getting emails... But it is related to the tracking number .... I called UPS this morning... Looks like GC really messed up... They sent it to someone totally different. With a van nuys address... So who knows guess this will get worked out or if it will get worked out...

I already use FEDEX.... Never any issues to date..
 
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Reactions: scuzzy
Yes I do... Several so I'm covered but we all know what it's like to be able to play the latest toy!
I'm glad you're covered friend. But I think it was really poor taste for GC to blame UPS. I think it would be very hard to mistake Van Nuys with the midwest! I deal with UPS almost daily in my business and not once in almost 7 years of business have they been the source of a mis-shipment!
 
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Reactions: Nevada Pete
Sorry to hear that Doug. Have had minor issues with GC , BUT, that bass in my opinion, will be worth the wait! What a special score! Will be a special addition to your stellar stable of LAKIES !

Thanks my friend....I hope it gets here sooner or later!

I'm going out of town next Thursday for a week.....hope I can play it before I leave!

PS - of COURSE I get a 20% off coupon in today's email....hmmmm...maybe I should ask them to apply that for my troubles? :)
 
The only time I shop from GC is in an emergency, and then they are still my last choice.

Last time I was there, I wound up selling a bass because the sale guy was flat out wrong about what he was telling the parents of the kid.

I try not to go there too much myself for more than strings or a "need to have it right now" item...but this was a special case....
 
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Reactions: MAXSPINRUN
I'm glad you're covered friend. But I think it was really poor taste for GC to blame UPS. I think it would be very hard to mistake Van Nuys with the midwest! I deal with UPS almost daily in my business and not once in almost 7 years of business have they been the source of a mis-shipment!

I think someone at the store put on the wrong tag....in some way, shape or form...but did a shipping tag actually get printed with my correct info? I have no clue....because I got nothin'