Another GC thread about being disappointed

[NecroticImbecil]

Disappointment occurs when the reality does not meet expectations. I am never disappointed at Guitar Center.

 

[lemongrenades]

Those employees are barely paid enough to show up, much less care. I've seen people in GC walk around the bass room picking stuff off the wall and just leaning it against the amps when they're done. It's a very low reward job.

I have had a few bandmates work at GC. Yes, the hourly is poor. But commission is good if you try. But here is were the problem comes in. If no time is taken to learn their job correctly, do they deserve a decent wage for just showing up and making wise ass comments? Maybe I'm wrong.
I'd hate to say it, because I'm not that old at all, but kids these days are broken.
The TB'r who mentioned "take note, bass's will sell faster if they are set up" was right on. But most kids wanna get paid first, and thats not gonna happen.
So yes, expectations should stay low and you will not be disappointed.

 

[wild4oldcars]

I called two different GC's about conditions of used basses, Nashville and West Palm Beach IIRC, and the two people i spoke to were polar antitheses. The florida guy was helpful, knowledgable, friendly, and timely. The nashville guy, not so much. when i asked what he could tell me about the bass, he asked me for the item number which i did not have handy at the moment. I then described the bass in detail, and he put me on hold for a few minutes. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but i personally felt it could have taken less time... When he got back on the line, i asked him if he could tell me anything about the bass, to which he replied "no, not really". i then asked if he could get the bass and give me a cursory overview of the condition. i was on hold for a little while longer, and he came back. he said it was in good shape and set up fairly well. that was all the info i got for an upwards of 20 minutes. great job GC Nashville

 

[ZenG]

We have "Tom Lee Music" up here in Canuckleland...

They are a big chain......

I usually go to my local Tom Lee which isn't far away

When you buy a bass they will initially set it up for you right then and there.....and you have 60 days to come back and have it tweaked again if you think it needs it and they will put on and set up any strings you might have in mind (however you pay cost of strings).

You also have 30 days to exchange the instrument if you like.

The Long & McQuade stores here seems to have better selection....but the service at Tom Lee is pretty damn good.

 

[WayneS]

Brought my setup gear to gc last night.
Fits in a small box.
Was told i wasnt allowed to do that.
I asked if they wanted to earn a future purchase, they said yes but they cant let me set it up. We can give you a free setup after a purchase i was told.
I asked how am i to try out amps and basses for purchase if i have to guess how they will sound after a purchase, especially used?
Was told of return policy.
Just walked back out.
Wanted to look at amps but cant try out with a poor bass.
And well cant try out 90% of the basses because of poor setups.
I mean a little off yes but i picked up a new squier vintage jazz and a used 1k+ ric and the necks looked like crescent moons with action i could put my finger between neck and string.

That's rather presumptuous of you isn't it?

 

[shawshank72]

That's rather presumptuous of you isn't it?

Sometimes you have to be.
Especially when they wonder why they get a bad rap.
Up in canada the long and mcquades are so much better.

 

[Gearhead17]

Dead strings, strings too far away from the pickups/off the neck, twisted or heavily bowed necks; issues that plague too many GC’s. Those basses sit on the shelf for months to years and are rarely touched. I understand it takes money to maintain them, but if you don’t maintain them, they don’t sell. How many times have you stopped in to try the bass you TRULY wanted to try and only to find it with dead strings? I don’t need brand new strings, I just need to get an idea of what the bass can sound like. When it sounds like muffled madness and no amount of EQing can improve the tone, what am I supposed to think?

How about this – GC starts “no-haggle pricing” in exchange for a maintained instrument. All guitars and basses get a setup for medium action, budget strings replaced every 3 months, intonated, and at least wiped down/minor cleaning. My idea is probably too late in the game (based on GC’s financial status), but it sure would help to move the new merchandise. It would help all musicians make better decisions and would surely result in fewer returns/more satisfied customers. I would certainly be a happier customer.

 

[Dmwphoto]

I am thankful to have a couple guitar centers in town. My main music store closed it's doors today. Sucks.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

It LARGELY depends on which Guitar Center you go to. It can be a real crap shoot who you get, even in a store with a good rep. You just have to know what to go in and expect.

Most of the time when you go to Mom n' Pop stores in Houston, they expect you to pay 10 prices just because the place has a reputation and they "know their stuff". Granted they do know more than an average GC employee does, but it's not as though they are a wealth of knowledge. A lot of the old wives tales are still in effect there (underpowering speakers, 1x15 low-end > 4x10 low-end, bass needing to develop, etc) so it's not like they are doing me a great service compared to what I could get on here for free. As for setup, it's about the same at most places, they aren't terrible but not anything to write home about...about what I get ordering a bass directly from Musicians Friend's website.