Does guitar center just not care?

[Ric5]

Does guitar center just not care?
they usually do not care ...

But there is usually someone there who smells bad, has black finger nail polish, and very little product knowledge

 

[Trunk Monkey]

What I don't understand is why/how GC management is so clueless. I'm betting the majority of their big decision makers aren't even real musicians and are actually clueless about their customers. GC is great for selling a wide-eyed kiddo a dazzling new piece of bling, or for test driving a piece of gear, but they suck for when that kiddo gets a few years experience, gets serious about music, and is looking to spend some real money.

You answered your own question with the last sentence - GC management plays the macro game. 10 wide eyed kiddos > 1 disgruntled 'serious' musician when it comes to profit margins. Extended warranties, lessons, accessories...by volume, not individual relationship. That's all big box retail.

If/when they do fail (Chapter 11 reorg is the beginning, not the end), it won't be due to the time they asked to see your receipt or failed to get the action low enough on the basses.

Not defending them; it is what it is.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Today I went to guitar center and I saw the worst setup bass I ever saw in my 31 years on this planet. How could they even think that a guitar this terribly setup would make someone feel like this was the one they wanted to buy. I have seen bow and arrows set up better than this.View attachment 4061136 View attachment 4061136 View attachment 4061136

I would rather do my own setup. They have an instrument Tech at my local GC for rectifying things like that.

 

[sonojono]

I once bought a bass that was severely bowed and returned it, just to see it come up again on the floor and online for sale

 

[Picton]

I've bought 3 used basses from Guitar Center via their website in the past six months or so (they all came from different parts of the country). Good prices, they shipped right away and they were all pretty much playable right out of the box. No complaints here.

Same.

Both times, I called the manager at the location where the bass was on sale and got excellent service, though my definition of "excellent" probably differs from a lot of TBers.

My definition? The people I spoke with were both honest, had the answers to my questions, and didn't try to "sell." That's all I expect and all I want. If I want more, I'll go to a mom-and-pop and chat for fifteen minutes before they get around to showing me something. Because I've had that experience, too, and I dislike it.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

What’s funny is I think they think that’s good. I brought a bass in to trade before, perfectly set up and they looked it over and had their tech check it out because I had it set up for super low action with a very slight back bow. Mind you it was in perfect pitch up and down the fretboard, no buzz at all and the dude had it for 3 seconds and managed to get it to look like that. They think that when it shows up with the truss rod tightened they are showing you that it moves by loosening it up all the way.

I’m sure their tech makes a decent amount of money for the store by making unknowing buyers pay for him to undo his work and set it back up right.

 

[jbhaugh]

the smart ones among us go elsewhere.

I dunno, based on my experience and that of others in this thread, I think maybe the smart ones DO go to GC - at least to lurk for deals on used gear. I got a MM Caprice for $800 about a year and a half ago, and I've seen some real gems that just needed a little love - with the generous return policy it's almost a no-brainer to order in something that looks like a steal used, check it out in store and return it on the spot if there's something beyond need for a setup going on.

 

[Killing Floor]

Hahaha, yeah, don't care. I got about a $500 discount once becasue the "pickup selecter" switch didn't work. Pro tip, it was a kill switch. So one setting didn't work.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I’ve seen worse

 

[Stranger Danger]

Technically it’s called Guitar center not Bass Guitar Center. Which would be way cooler

 

[Indiana Mike]

Ours is pretty good.
No ones perfect.
But I’ve got no complaints.
Some of the staff have been there for over a decade.

 

[Ruknrole]

I am very thankful for my local guitar center. Even though there never is anyone available to help with the beat to hell instruments hanging on the wall, it allows me to handle the instrument before I order it from Sweetwater.

 

[HolmeBass]

I have experienced a lot of variability from GC to GC. But it is a big box store mostly designed to sell cheap stuff to noobs, so the quality will obviously be spotty.

That said a few I have been too were clean, polite, instruments setup well enough and all in tune. And it seems all of them will let you come and play a bunch of stuff without much hassle or hard sell.

 

[bobbybass85]

That’s quite bad. Almost as bad as what I found at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum here in Nashville. They have an “Interactive Experience” where you can get a brief lesson and play music... not on this bass. Those are frets 3-8 btw....

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I've gone to the Seattle Westlake store, Bellevue store, Southcenter store, and Salem Oregon store. All stores had friendly knowledgeable staff. All the stores had both entry level and higher end basses (hanging up higher) and most amps from 6" practice amps to Ampeg SVT/810's.

I've shopped GC online for many years. I've found some incredible deals, great fast shipping, and in one instance when a bass arrived damaged, I was immediately issued a UPS return label prepaid--to Alaska! I don't know how many years TB'ers have been reveling in rumors about GC shutting down but it's still here and I'll bet this time next year will still be here. Also, I've noticed--nobody has mentioned the manufacturer and their QC. I don't know how so many people can miss this simple fact. The manufacturer needs to take some responsibility too.

Anyway, I agree to disagree. Peace. Tis the season to be jolly.

 

[kmon]

I'm not sure GC is a sentient entity.

If you're talking about the slave-wage sales associates in the individual stores/hellholes, no I doubt they give a sh**.

 

[SubHuman]

I’m sure most brick and mortar stores are hanging on by a slim profit margin with the internet but the couple of used basses I purchased at GC were awesome!
I recently bought an Epiphone Rivoli with HS case and the action and condition was great.
The price was $400 cheaper then anything I could find anywhere else. I didn’t have to do any setup but I usually expect to do some changes to the action anyway. But this one was good to go right out of the box. I agree the action in the original post is high but as long as it can be dialed in not a deal breaker to me. Especially if the price is right. They do have a good easy return policy too.


View attachment 4061876

 

[bmusic]

I have bought a ton of stuff from GC over the years. A TON.

I always liked it because they had stuff I wanted, and if I gave them money, they would let me have said stuff. I also dealt with some salesmen there who gave me good advice.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Today I got a great trade price, massive discount, and even set the new bass up to my liking for a test drive (free of charge)
My GC does awesome

Does your GC have a big sign reading 'Sweetwater' on the front of the store?

 

[Leonid Nidis]

They care,they want you to get your finger strength up