BEWARE: The Ken Smith from Guitar Center

[poochiecheeks]

There is a natural 70 something P bass that has been sitting on the wall of the cherry hill guitar center with only 3 strings for months now. It would probably play nice and sell quickly with all 4 strings and maybe a turn on the truss rod but I dont see that happening

 

[rmayer]

First, I doubt I would buy a bass like a Ken Smith or similar quality or prestige ($$$) used from a Guitar Center. Their grading system is sometimes hard to believe. I've also heard too many horror stories about them.
They only way I would buy something from them, new or used, is if I could actually have it in my hands. For everyone else, it's a good thing they have their return policy. Unfortunately, I believe they just re-list these items, and that's how we have these stories.

 

[DuluthDank]

Since you were attached to the bass, did you try asking a manager for a partial refund? I recently did that with an amp that arrived in worse condition that advertised, and they gave me 60 percent off the initial price.

 

[DuluthDank]

What makes GC used great is also what makes it terrible: apathetic minimum wage employees barely glancing at used gear before assigning it a semi-arbitrary price. I return probably 40 percent of what I get there, but I've gotten most of my best deals there too.

 

[Jason Sypher]

That’s a terrible story! GC is a giant corporation. Buy from individuals or small companies. The only thing anyone should buy from GC is strings and cables.

 

[Thumpin6string]

This seems to be common practice at GC, based on the multiple threads here on TB. They always repost it in the falsely described condition. It is what happens when you have morons running the company. Sad!

 

[Sertsa]

Sorry to hear that. I had a recent disappointment from GC, too. While nowhere as costly, I'm worried about the person who evidently bought the bass after I returned it. It was an Aerodyne Jazz Bass listed as "good" that had a slightly twisted neck with a bow about the fifth fret. The person I returned it to said he saw the bow, but it was relisted the next day as "good."

Yet my favorite guitar was bought used at GC, a 2008 PRS Mira, priced when no one seemed to want them.

 

[porkynuggets]

Agreed with the sentiments above. Guitar Center (and to some extent, Music Go Round) are graveyards for abused, broken gear. Fortunately they have a fantastic return policy.

The revolving door for guitars

 

[salmon256]

Yup happen to me and many others. GC workers just take a picture of a bass or guitar with the same camera that people take of "UFOs" and only take one.

I got a Stingray, initials written on it, dead battery, some type of sh!t on the neck. Return it, employee was cool about it. Sorry you had this, hope you find the right bass or Ken Smith.

Also for anyone saying to return, read the OP post, they did and the whole point is they re-listed it. It has a damage pre-amp and the Pokey initials still in it lol. The whole point is they re-listed it as good. The same happen to me with my return I told me why I was returning it and they listen but the GC that sends it back just re-listed it as usual with no editing to the posting.

 

[bass12]

I feel like contacting GC and asking if they have any Pokey Mason Jay signature model Smiths in stock.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I am into boutique basses but one time I got the itch to buy something new so I went to guitar center and bought a Fender American Pro and when I got it was filthy, greasy fingerprints, set up was terrible and they didn't even try to make it look nice. I returned it and decided I would never buy anything other than supplies from them. I only buy boutique basses now. It may take longer but every time, they are beautiful, well set up and ready to go. GC sucks and that's why they are going bankrupt.

They’ve been going “bankrupt” for at least 15 years. I’ll believe it when I see it

 

[salmon256]

What makes GC used great is also what makes it terrible: apathetic minimum wage employees barely glancing at used gear before assigning it a semi-arbitrary price. I return probably 40 percent of what I get there, but I've gotten most of my best deals there too.

I saw a Yamaha TRB1004J listed, I was seriously thinking about it and it was around 500 dollars, that bass goes for around 1000 and is only sold in Europe and Japan... it made me wonder what could of been wrong with it or I was thinking it was just employees doing a quick look up and listing it... yeah you find some great things on there but again hit or miss for some.

 

[Danny O Danny]

About a month ago I bought a used sunburst Fender Tony Franklin Signature fretless P bass from GC's website, described as in "Excellent" condition. When it arrived I discovered that a) It was white, not sunburst, b) It wasn't a Tony Franklin SIgnature fretless (it was a parts bass with a TF neck) and c) It was beat to hell. I returned it for refund by dropping it off at a nearby store (they also offered a free return shipping label).

I've had some good experiences buying from GC's site also, but the hit/miss ratio has been about 30% hit/70% miss. Buying used from GC there seems to be a high likelihood that the instrument will not be as described. On the other hand, their return policy makes it essentially riskless for the buyer (other than a little time wasted and hopes dashed). I prefer to have purchases shipped to my home rather than picking them up in the store. That way I can take as much time as I want (up to 45 days) to inspect it (including taking it apart if that seems warranted) before I decide if it's a keeper or a reject.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

Engraved by Pokey Mason Jay?! No wonder it was so expensive.

So Anyway, I want to hang out with Pokey Mason Jay. Not sure I'd let him play my bass, but I can see him as prime bar-hopping entertainment.

 

[newfuture]

Oh, when returning to a GC, make sure they refund your shipping. It often gets missed.

 

[ad9000]

I would be hesitant to buy any used gear from GC online for this reason, although I did purchase one item online from them that turned out to be a great score - a Euphonic Audio VL-210 cabinet, which was one of the few 4-ohm ones they made. I still use it often.

My local GC was actually a good place to find underpriced used gear back around 15-20 years ago, especially basses, and I think this was due to a lack of knowledge or willingness to research the used marketplace. Since then they got wise, and if anything used stuff is now overpriced. They also at some point instituted a no-haggle policy, where you could do some negotiating before.

The local store also had an asinine policy where after you bought a used item you had to wait 30 days to pick it up so they could run a check to see if it was stolen (I don't know if all the stores did that) - wouldn't you want to do that before you offered it up for sale?

 

[MrAB4003]

Sorry to hear about your experience OP! That is truly awful, and for $4,600, you are absolutely right to feel how you do! The good news is that you got your money back and you can now spend it on something even better (maybe even another Ken Smith).

Just like a few of us upthread, I only buy strings, cables, and other smaller items at Guitar Center. I made my most recent bigger purchase on Sweetwater because there aren't very many local shops left near me with the bass I wanted. As a small business owner myself, I would totally support a local small business whenever I have the chance.

I am not surprised about GC reposting the bass dishonestly. I usually go to my local GC store every week to try out different basses and most of the used bass inventory is not what's advertised on the hang tags. Oftentimes, the electronics don't work, they're beat up / not in good cosmetic condition, and there are strings missing at times. GC likely posts these instruments online for unsuspecting customers to buy just like what happened to the Ken Smith after it got sent back. To that, I say caveat emptor / buyer beware.

 

[rolfplamperton]

Guitar Center is Guitar Center. There’s a 78 jazz bass listed for 3K at the Guitar Center in Fort Worth that was absolutely unplayable due to severe fret buzz. The action on it is fine, but the frets are pretty toast and need to be dressed. I tried to make them an offer on the bass(plenty of solid techs in the area that could fix it up), but because it hadn’t been there 90 days, they said their policy wouldn’t allow them to make deals on it. The two employees there agreed with me that it shouldn’t be up for sale and that it needs to be worked on to be playable. It’s still up on their site. They did have a very nice, mostly original, ‘75 P there that day that I walked out with. That bass has zero issues vs the aforementioned ‘78 J.

It’s a big corporation and buying from them used is a crapshoot. They do seem to price stuff fairly competitively compared to a lot of stores on reverb, who are just as likely to be selling you something that’s going to need a lot of work. Plus, they have a return policy, which a lot of smaller shops don’t when buying used.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

^^^ (and if you don't like the chocolates - you get your $ back)

The biggest mistake you can make with GC used is getting your hopes up. That's just the way it is.
At the end of the day, you're only out some time and inconvenience - and of course - the disappointment.
(and in my experience, the "rewards" have out-weighed any inconvenience. The "rewards" being really good deals on some great basses.)

My approach to GC used is "don't count your chickens before they're hatched"
Almost everything on GC used is "Great" - which is meaningless. What "allows" them to do this is their 45 day / no questions return policy.
Basically, instead of driving to the store to check it out – you're having it shipped to you on approval.

The trick is to manage expectations (basically I have none) and try not to get my hopes up before I receive the item.
I use their Gear Card / 6 months- no interest, so I'm out absolutely nothing.

My local GC has always had a good staff and treated me well - especially over the past 8 years or so. (the "mom & pop stores are mostly gone in my area).
Here's a Tip:
If I'm looking at used online - I call "my guy" and have him order the item into their store for me;
That way, they're sort of "vested" in the deal; they make a commission on the sale, and they do their best at screening the item, (otherwise it ends up back at their store.)
They unbox it - check for any damage, etc, and make an honest assessment before I arrive.
(and the shipping fee usually disappears)

The only thing you’re out is the shipping. You don’t get that back unless there is something wrong with what you bought. Btw, if it’s “vintage” department gear; you get 3 days of return policy. 45 day return for regular used items or not, GC quality control is the worst it’s ever been.

I’ll say it again: BUYER BEWARE.

 

[4SP]

Thanks to the original poster for the heads up!

For me it has been mostly hit rather than miss when buying used and/or vintage. I may have been lucky but everything boils down to the "sensitivity" and in the case of this Ken Smith example to the business practices implemented by the store as they come down from management.

The crew at my local GC (based on management directions) are very meticulous when they receive an off the street item or a return item making sure that first it's worth buying it or taking it back and then inspecting/testing it for basic functionality. I have never bought nor returned the equivalent in cost and "complicated" electronics of the Ken Smith but I would imagine they would do the same.

Overall with item descriptions what makes it difficult and frustrating to me, these days is the mostly useless for used instruments, application of AI generated text in the item's description (if any) that does to address the actual condition or issues of the instrument but rather generic comments about it.
One side detail is that for online purchases when the item ends up being returned within their 3 day (for vintage) or 45 day (for non vintage) return window their system automatically uploads the same "listing" as per the original store. That said there is no excuse not to be able to edit that darn description.

Now regarding the Ken Smith I did see the actual add and given the power of many coming from this platform I would recommend for this group to send messages to the store (via the dedicated "message us" prompt and user form) letting them know that the community is aware of this and that they should address it... I one for sure will send one over adding also that omitting the issues in the description is grounds for false advertising... This in hopes of raising awareness to the store manager (if it ever gets read).

Cheers