So yesterday, I had some time to kill so I went down to Guitar Center to Get some strings (Hybrid Slinkys) and look at getting a new strap. While I was in there I browsed through the basses, and decided to play the Stingray HH, simply because I have one already on order and I just felt like playing it since I have to wait until July to get mine. Anyways, the "bass salesman" decided to question me about my bass playing and tried to sell me on the bass. I told him that I have already ordered one through guitarcenter.com and that I was just waisting a little time before I had to be somewhere. When I told him that I ordered it on line, he got a little aggravated and asked why I didn't come in to see him about ordering it. I was nice, and told him that it was more convenient for me to order it online at the time I purchased the bass, and that I knew enough about the bass that I didn't need the help of a salesman to aid me in my decision. At the point my blood was starting to boil a little, but then came the kicker. This guy actually had the nerve to ask me if it was OK that I let him call guitarcenter.com and take credit for the sale so that he could get the commission on it. At that point, I handed him back the bass, and asked if he was kidding ( add some curse words in there and you get the entire sentence). He said no, and told me that it wouldn't effect my purchase, but he would get the commission for "aiding" me with the sale. I informed him that I bought the bass over a month and a half ago, and the reason I didn't come into the store is because I hate dealing with idiots such as himself. How can someone try to take credit for something they did not do, just to make an easy buck? I almost canceled my order with guitar center, spoke with the manager about the idiot working there, and then called guitar center to notify them that I have gave no one permission to claim credit on the sale of my bass (because the guy was looking up my information while we were talking). People like this tick me off bad, so I just needed to vent a little. This will definitely be the last major purchase I make at GC, their service has been complete crap since day one, and I hope none of you ever have this problem. What would you have done if this was you? Personally I like to go back there and S%^# kick that SOB!
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Can you believe this???
- Thread starter Bloodfist
- Start date
So, did you discuss this guys lack of ethics with the store manager? If so, what did he say? If you didn't, why not?
If someone had done this to me I would have cancelled the order and let the store manager and the online folks know why I cancelled the order; period, end of story.
bongomania
Commercial User
That kind of behavior is encouraged by GC management. I used to work there many years ago, I speak from experience. I know there are some decent GC people, even some of our peers/friends here on TB, but those decent people act decently under their own steam, irrespective of GC's policies.
Happens to me all the time at Futureshop. Every time I turn away a salesmen they hand me a card with their name and sales number and tell me to show it to the cashier when I make a purchase.
I don't agree with it and avoid shopping anyplace the employes are on comission since they generally care less about the customer and more about the sales.
I don't agree with it and avoid shopping anyplace the employes are on comission since they generally care less about the customer and more about the sales.
I actually think you are overreacting a bit... and no I don't and never have worked at a Guitar Center. I would have just laughed, said no thanks, left, and promptly forgotten about it. Its not like he slapped your mom or something; guy's just trying to make a buck, which aint easy to do with so many timekillers funking up the inventory with no intention of buying!
When you work for commission its always drilled into your head to make the sale, make your quota etc. Had that been me, I would have let the guy take the commission even though I had made the purchase choice myself. The way the economy is today I kind of can't blame the sales rep for asking that. It wouldn't have bothered me to help him out any by saying yes and letting him take the credit. Worst case scenario, for all you know your answer could have kept (had you said yes) or lost his job *shrug*.
Times are tough right now.
Times are tough right now.
'Never worked at GC but I agree with king_biscuit. Problem here is the sale-staff get paid peanuts (relatively) and need the commission to put gas in their tank, etc., etc.
Seriously at the end of the day what would you lose by letting him stick his name on your sale? If it had be me I'd have done it for a set of strings or 5% (something they still can do, even if they say they can't! Although you need the assistant manager for the 5%)
Pay-it forward maybe? I don't know, but I don't think I'd be cussing the guy out for showing a little brass neck! At the end of the day if you don't ask you don't get.
I'll admit I do make purchase at GC. I like my local GC, I'd even(!) consider some of the staff there as friends these days.
I'm still getting used to the new policy though! Although I'm told that as a result of the price is the price is that the sales will be really good - we'll see!
Seriously at the end of the day what would you lose by letting him stick his name on your sale? If it had be me I'd have done it for a set of strings or 5% (something they still can do, even if they say they can't! Although you need the assistant manager for the 5%)
Pay-it forward maybe? I don't know, but I don't think I'd be cussing the guy out for showing a little brass neck! At the end of the day if you don't ask you don't get.
I'll admit I do make purchase at GC. I like my local GC, I'd even(!) consider some of the staff there as friends these days.
I'm still getting used to the new policy though! Although I'm told that as a result of the price is the price is that the sales will be really good - we'll see!
I would have gotten a lot louder, just to make a scene and make him look even more like an idiot to the entire store. But than again, i'm an ***hole.
I did, I basically reamed him too. He apologized several times and said this wasn't typical GC policy for sales rep to do this, and that he would deal with it in a strict manner.
Maybe, I understand that the guy is trying to make a buck, but do it honestly. I work my ass off for a living doing HVACR work and I could easily rape any of my customers wallet at anytime to put a few extra dollars in my own pocket with out them knowing it, but I don't. Call me guilty of being old fashioned, but I believe in making an honest days pay, and being treated with respect regardless of where I'm at. And as far as I'm concerned, getting money from my purchase that he did not have anything to do with, is basically the same thing as stealing from the company he works for.
Yeah...that dude sucks... My dad will probably never buy from our local GC. One time they had to ship an amp like 40 miles and they wanted $10. The other time my friend saw a sale on strings and got them. The sale made them $20, original price was like $50. We are in the parking lot and my dad's like "That can't be right". So we go back in. Turns out they were the EXACT SAME STRINGS and he gave us the $50 box and charged us for them. My dad is so fed up with them and will never buy from the local one.
Meh, it prolly wouldn't have been that big a deal either way, but I wouldn't have gone above and beyond a simple denial of his request, but to each his own...was it a bit obtuse of him to ask credit? Yeah, but if it in no way would have or could effect the sale already in progress, what was the harm again?
Man's gotta eat. Like was said, you still get the shiny bass, he prolly woulda got enough for gas...
Man's gotta eat. Like was said, you still get the shiny bass, he prolly woulda got enough for gas...
Retail is a tough gig. Long hours, and you pretty much have to work when most of the world is off; weekends, nights, holidays, etc.
If it didn't cost you more, or delay delivery, I think you shoulda let him get a piece of the pie.
Plus, I don't know how GC pays their commissions, but most retail operations pay on delivery. He probably would have been staying on top of your order daily and might even get it quicker.
I would also think that instead of taking punitive action, the store mgr. would commend him for trying to get the revenue assigned to his store instead of the online department.
If it didn't cost you more, or delay delivery, I think you shoulda let him get a piece of the pie.
Plus, I don't know how GC pays their commissions, but most retail operations pay on delivery. He probably would have been staying on top of your order daily and might even get it quicker.
I would also think that instead of taking punitive action, the store mgr. would commend him for trying to get the revenue assigned to his store instead of the online department.
Hey, guys why the negative vibes?
The salesfolks at GC rely on commission to make up their pay - every sale has the room for commission - it's built into their pricing model. Sure the owners would rather everyone buys from the web - no commission means more margin for them - but I can't see anything wrong with the salesguy asking to stick his employee/store id on the sale in order that he can make a little extra cash.
At the end of the day is right to go into a shop and play a bass you have no intention in buying in order to waste time? Of course it is ok! We've all done it, but that's why I also feel the salesguy was ok to ask too!
Positive vibes guys - positive vibes!
(MetsFan5 - you may want to re-read your post and edit it a little!
)
The salesfolks at GC rely on commission to make up their pay - every sale has the room for commission - it's built into their pricing model. Sure the owners would rather everyone buys from the web - no commission means more margin for them - but I can't see anything wrong with the salesguy asking to stick his employee/store id on the sale in order that he can make a little extra cash.
At the end of the day is right to go into a shop and play a bass you have no intention in buying in order to waste time? Of course it is ok! We've all done it, but that's why I also feel the salesguy was ok to ask too!
Positive vibes guys - positive vibes!
(MetsFan5 - you may want to re-read your post and edit it a little!
)
+1, I see no point in cancelling an online purchase because of a jerk in a store. I would simply avoid that GC if I lived in an area with more than one GC.
Bloodfist - I see you are in Chas also - go see Michael at 'Ye Olde Music Shoppe' off Remount Rd - he will undercut any GC price by 20%. Cancel your order at GC and order your Stingray through him, save some money and support the little guy!!
