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GC is unbelievable

#61
OK. I have to put in my two cents.

When I walk into my GC wearing work clothes I can't keep the sales people off of me. When I walk in wearing street clothes I have to ask for help and I've even seen the sales person get an expression of annoyance in doing so.

The last time I made a major purchase there I went in wearing the most bummy outfit I could throw on. My own GF was shaking her head at me. I spent over $3000 that day and the sales person who helped me 45 minutes after I showed up (and as it turns he out just showed up for work) became the only salesperson I would purchase from. I understand what Silent is trying to say but I am in customer service too and when I see anyone standing around I ask them if someone is helping them. If they say yes or I don't need help I smile and say "Let me know if you change your mind! My name is ****" and it's done. If they need help they will ask or someone else with pass by and ask. If your sales team is worth their weight, they will talk to each other and say I tried to help that guy and he's just looking and that will be that.

Sorry for the rant.... I didn't mean for it to be that way! :D
 
#62
I think that the guy who first posted should have just told someone he intended to buy and bass and get those guys moving. GC is pretty inconsistent, I have had people give me great deals and other pretend that they had no room to manuver at all. I remember asking a salesman who was being difficult how old he was, once told me, I said to him that I had been buying basses since before he was born and I had a pretty good idea about what a store can and cannot do. The bottom line is that when any store becomes unreasonable, walk away. There is very little that can't be gotten from another source.
 
#63
Dr. Cheese said:
I think that the guy who first posted should have just told someone he intended to buy and bass and get those guys moving. GC is pretty inconsistent, I have had people give me great deals and other pretend that they had no room to manuver at all. I remember asking a salesman who was being difficult how old he was, once told me, I said to him that I had been buying basses since before he was born and I had a pretty good idea about what a store can and cannot do. The bottom line is that when any store becomes unreasonable, walk away. There is very little that can't be gotten from another source.
Click to expand...

I only go there for certain things anymore.... and I make it a point to shop at locally owned places if I can. I don;t mind spending an extra few bucks or a hundred (depending on the over all price) to get great service and a face that will still be there in a year or maybe 5.
 
#64
Dr. PhunkyPants said:
Personally, my view is no. Your mileage may vary. For me, there are too many basses in the world and too many "quality" vendors.
... GC is notorious for providing a poor buying experience--either by too much attention, too little, or just plain wrong attention.
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Excellent. And that, my friends, is why I no longer set foot inside a GC. Their CS has never been very good (either WAY too aggressive or just plain uninterested.) Their products (in the two stores in my area, at least) are of poor quality and are kept in deplorable condition.

malthumb said:
Dishonesty and/or lack of knowledge. Often the latter leads to the former.
Click to expand...

This is my pet peeve about GC, and Mars Music, when it was open. The salespeople talk out of their rear ends when asked a question they don't know the answer to. Granted, there are myriads of product in a GC, and some specs/facts/features may be forgotten, but PLEASE have the integrity to admit ignorance and search for the answer.

XRING:
My suggestion: Call Bass Central. They have knowledgeable people, and I'm sure they can give you a good deal on a bongo.
Don't reward bad sales technique with a purchase (not even a pick or strings.) The more people who continue to buy from the GC, the less likely the problem will be addressed.

This may be slightly inconvenient at first, but if you want proper treatment, find someone who treats people right to reward.
 
#66
I am shocked that people think everyone should just come running to them and asume we know exactly what you want and how to deal with you.
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In retail, I believe that's called their job. It's the job of the salesperson to wait on me. That is what he is paid to do. If i don't want his (or her) help, then I just say so and we both move on.
 
#67
Why are you guys concerned about salespeople at music stores. If you are on TalkBass, like all of us are, we don't need salespeople to sell us on instruments. Sit on this site for a day or two and you will know more about basses than any of those salespeople.

Here is what you do...
1. Go to music store
2. Grab desired instrument
3. Walk to cashieer
 
#68
Discgraham said:
Why are you guys concerned about salespeople at music stores. If you are on TalkBass, like all of us are, we don't need salespeople to sell us on instruments. Sit on this site for a day or two and you will know more about basses than any of those salespeople.

Here is what you do...
1. Go to music store
2. Grab desired instrument
3. Walk to cashieer
Click to expand...

xring stated that the bass was on the wall and out of reach.

Mike
 
#69
jja412 said:
Absolutely.
+1000.
Click to expand...

I get made fun of for that... which you might in fact identify with. I'm to stubborn to take the easy road anyway. I work hard for my cash... and I want to feel good about where I spend my money. I hate what the chains are doing to the industry. While it can be argued that they help... and on some levels they do with general exposure to new people and such.... I'm tired of having average musicians selling average gear. Where's a good store with great salespeople and great gear? In denver... the options are very limited. That's what I love about TB! I can research all I want for the technical aspects before I try and buy or take that leap of faith.

:bawl: I love you guys! :bawl:
 
#71
I worked at a GC a few years back. Our store manager asked us to "interact" with customers. Some of the salesmen overdid it, way to aggressive IMO. Others got burned out by people coming in, busting their chops, asking to try instruments and amps, and then walking. They felt that there was never any intention to buy; they were just there to hang.
My view- You never know. I had both- people who were buying an instrument for a gift for instance, and asked me to pick out a nice one, regardless of price (almost!)
There were others who looked like they were on welfare, then busted out a platinum card, and many, many who tried and tried, but never buyed!
The salespeople in the store you were in were wrong.
All you need to do is introduce yourself, and tell them to let you know if there's anything you can help them with.
They'll let you know, or they'll ignore you- Still no way of telling whether they're gonna buy or not; that's show biz!
GC does pay commissions, so you need to be on it, if you want to make more than minimum wage. The salespeople that hustle and make it a point to know product and help people-they can make a decent wage- For a musician, anyway.

One reality is, that with certain lines they carry- EB/MM, Ampeg, SWR, etc- GC is so large, they pretty much are going to be your best bet for new gear. It would be nice if the few independent stores that remain could match their pricing, but generally, they can't.
BTW- If I were ignored, with cash in my hand, I would have asked to speak to the Store Manager. I can pretty much guarantee that he or she woud have busted out a great deal and thrown in some extras for your poor treatment....And would have talked to the staff too!
GC is very profit-conscious, and thought the sales staff can be transient and unconcerned, Management takes a very different attitude. Believe that!
 
#72
Buy from who makes you happy....spending 1500 bucks on a Bongo in my world is a big deal so if GC doesnot make me happy call Beaver at BassCentral or Steve at BassNW and they will be GLAD to take your money. :D (Sorry for the shameless plug) One does not recieve BMW service on a Ford lot IMHO. I am sure it can and does happen but it is the exception, not the rule. I hope you love your new Bongo and please post pics if you can.
 
#73
I hate to be bothered, and (like many here) know more about the product than the employees. I still like a word or two of acknowledgement from the staff. That word or two - "if you have any questions, just ask" or somesuch - lets the customer know you're aware of their presence, and available to help. It also lets a potential troublemaker know the staff is alert.

The comment about replacing knobs on their out of tune instruments had me on the floor. I was in Boston this weekend, and visited GC, another more local chain, and Rock City Guitars. Rock City's a tiny place with great stuff, guitars in tune and set up with nice action. The others, well... the first 3 basses at GC made NO SOUND. The Peavey B-Quad was missing 2 knobs. And the "1987 Pre Gibson Tobias Classic," well... here are 2 hints: serial number was IIRC 64XX and body wings were 1 solid piece of wood. So that rules out "1987," "Pre," and "Tobias," what's left? Riiiight.

The store is what it is. Go in expecting no customer service, and unrealistically inflated pricing on used gear. Once in a while they will have something at a low price, so I do drop in from time to time. The big blowout sales can be pretty good if you're good at playing musical "The Price is Right."
 
#74
I find alot of GC employees "aloof" for no reason also. It is a pretty simple formula to follow when someone walks in a store.

Employee "Good Afternoon, I'm ___________, anything I can help you find today?"

Customer "No thanks, I'm just looking

Employee "OK, Just let me know if you need anything or have any questions"

Customer "Thanks, I will".


OR


Employee: "Good Afternoon, I'm ______________, is there anything I can help you with today?"

Customer: " Yes, I'd like to check out a few Bongos"

Employee: "Sure, let me grab a cable and I'll be right back to help you with that"


It's not hard on either persons part, and if someone just wants to browse, they are only being disturbed for 10 seconds.

I have been in GC's where this has happened, but not very often.
 
#76
silent method said:
+ 1

it isn't that hard. I mean what would it have cost you?

I am shocked that people think everyone should just come running to them and asume we know exactly what you want and how to deal with you.

To complain about "I had to ask for help" ugh to me that just seems to silly.
Click to expand...
Well since you said "we" as said before one of you could have ask the man can I help you period.You are in a (supposedly !) customer service enviroment so do your damn job,and if you can't do it,then go find another line of work. :mad:
 
#77
To wrap up my end, I am sitting here with my Bongo now. A fella was heading my way after I entered. I simply said, "whenever you're available, I want you to sell me a bass today." He was immediately available . Assistant store manager. I didn't even mention that I was in earlier. I've also got a MM hard case coming (great price) and he is going to rush the order.
So without naming prices, it was half retail, and there is not a slapper's mark on it. Strings even seem fresh. I think this bass will give my Rebop a hard way to go. The carbon blue seems darker than most pics, but it's a great looking bass. This one made my night though. I overheard my wife telling the kids it looked like a bango. Now I like it even more.
Thanks for all the replies; good, bad, or otherwise.
Randy
 
#78
this thread has been beaten to death today... but i'm going to comment anyway.

i think they should have at least approached him. it is in the salesperson's best interest to try to sell something. (they only make minimum wage as base pay). a simple two second "hey, just let me know if you need help with anything." could have easily landed some commision in his pocket.

i think he was right to walk out without buying. but the idea of going back to the same store really hurts his cause if he wanted to make a point about customer service.
 
#79
I worked in Retail management for eight years and worked as a retail supplier for about 16 years, so HERE'S MY RANT. If you wanted customer service why were you walking into GC? I use to call on K Mart and many customers would complain to me (I wasn't an employee) about the lack of service. My initial thought would be, you don't want service, if you did you'd be at Neiman Marcus. Most Americans say they want service but refuse to pay for it. What you really wanted was a good price from some minimum wage guitar jockey.

If you wanted Service you would have been at Bass NW (for example), or driven to Low Down sound. Companies that sell on price, GC, Wal Mart ,do it by having minimal payroll expense. In my area with the exception of management, GC turns over it's staff about every three months. Your not going to establish a rapport with a salesperson in those conditions. The guys at Low Down will call me when something shows up that I might have interest in. Your not going to find salesman who know there stuff and are helpful when their always in training. So next time you go there, climb up on the ladder and pull it down yourself, you'll get it cheaper that way and that seems to be what it's all about! :crying:
 
#80
jay_t said:
OK. I have to put in my two cents.

When I walk into my GC wearing work clothes I can't keep the sales people off of me. When I walk in wearing street clothes I have to ask for help and I've even seen the sales person get an expression of annoyance in doing so.

The last time I made a major purchase there I went in wearing the most bummy outfit I could throw on. My own GF was shaking her head at me. I spent over $3000 that day and the sales person who helped me 45 minutes after I showed up (and as it turns he out just showed up for work) became the only salesperson I would purchase from. I understand what Silent is trying to say but I am in customer service too and when I see anyone standing around I ask them if someone is helping them. If they say yes or I don't need help I smile and say "Let me know if you change your mind! My name is ****" and it's done. If they need help they will ask or someone else with pass by and ask. If your sales team is worth their weight, they will talk to each other and say I tried to help that guy and he's just looking and that will be that.

Sorry for the rant.... I didn't mean for it to be that way! :D
Click to expand...

I keep it simple. I walk in with an Alembic. Doesn't matter what I'm wearing. Even the most "high end challenged" average GC employee recognizes quality (and expense) when he/she sees it (well, that's been my experience anyway). Once they see me with an Alembic, they can't do enough for me. I guess they figure if I can afford that, I can pretty much buy anything I want (I can't, but it doesn' hurt to have them think that! ;) ).

I've not purchased much through GC, mostly strings and such. I've found most of the ones I've gone to (in NC, VA, and OH) to be less than interested in customers, with notable exceptions. They're there to make money first, and my guess is customer service comes second in my experience. I'd recommend anyone who doesn't like GC to go online to the likes of Bass Central, Bass Northwest, etc. You're more than likely to find someone who knows what they're talking about and who can address your desires/wants accordingly than you will at GC.

My two cents,

Alan
 

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