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GC knowingly selling defective merch?

#42
Jimmy Bones said:
Only mentioning it cause I know a GC GM who does, and I recall there being a clause in the rules saying you have to disclose biases for whatever thing so others are aware of where you're coming from. Not trying to dig on you or anything, but hey, gives us all a chance to be sure of the rules. :)
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Here's what I think you're referencing from FAQ #9

If you are an artist who endorses a music-related company, or if you receive remuneration (financially or in-kind) as the result of a relationship you have with a company, please disclose this via the "Disclosures" field in your profile. The text should be plain and clear, with no disclaimers, hype etc. For example: "Endorsing Artist: Joe Doe Basses" or "Affiliated with JD Amps" or "Discounted Gear: JD Amps", etc.

Also, please preface any relevant gear reviews on product you're affiliated with, with a brief disclosure in the post itself.

The purpose of these disclosures is to provide those who read your posts with the full knowledge of your situation, when considering your opinions on gear. We recognize the fact that in some circumstances a minor discount or other "non-endorsing" remuneration may be too insignificant to consider for disclosure. We trust that as honest bass players you'll use your best judgment and moral guide to determine if your fellow members would benefit from the disclosure of this information. TalkBass reserves the right to require disclosure if the remuneration is deemed significant.
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Not sure if that applies to an employee of a guitar store or not - you could read it either way.
 
#44
I bought a Line 6 Pod X3 not too long ago from my local GC... Got it home... It wouldn't communicate over USB to my computer. Resetting it, etc had no effect. Oh yeah, it had already been registered with Line 6 proving that it was a return. So GC put broken merchandise back on the shelf. Anyway I went back that night and got another one. Took it home... Similar issue. (I have a Pod XT live so i'm used to how they work, also i work in the computer industry and i have several computers to try it on, i tried it on multiple macs and PCs). Second one broken. Drove all the way back to GC, they tried to get me to take a third one. I wasn't going to make that round trip again :scowl: And I had to wait around the store for 2 hours before they could finish processing the return (something about the SKU not matching the price of Teflon in Delaware).

Maybe Line 6 had/has a manufacturing problem with their PODX3s, but it sure looks like GC was putting them right back on the shelf after they were returned "Hmm maybe the NEXT guy won't return it..."

Oh, did i mention i bought a pack of Marcus Miller FAT beams from the same department at GC, got it home, and it had a used E string in it? :)
 
#45
there are good guitar centers,and there are crappy ones.trust me.that guitar center is a crappy one..hence why they are selling a still defective bass.and then again there are good ones,like the albany store,which i've seen people right here on talkbass talking about their good service.
 
#46
DudeWheresMy182 said:
what GC do you go to? haha

At the GC i worked at, we legitimately cared about everything, there were no high school kids working the sales floor (you have to be 18 to work there, usually 18 yr olds are seniors in high school or in college, so the chance of a high school kid working = not really.) Every store is different. i was proud that our store was trained properly and knew our material. That GC you refer to is obviously not up to par.
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absolutly agree with you man.i've seen people around here saying that their GC's employees are punk kids that don't have any equipment knowledge what so ever.but at my GC? it's the opposite of that case..
 
#48
FriscoBassAce, in particular, is knowledgeable and does genuinely care about his customers. He can be taken at his word. I speak from personal knowledge and experience, having dealt with him directly on numerous occasions. Not all GC employees rise to his level of customer care and expertise however, which is unfortunate.
 
#49
FriscoBassAce said:
Wow....all I can say is wow. I'm glad you're so business savvy.
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I'm GC savvy. And maybe the GC you work at is GREAT. May be - some folks on TB defend them - but *every* GC I've been to in LA & SD is just a place to sell toys teens. Hell, don't get me started on the one in San Macros (north county San Diego) - that place is just awful.
 
#50
GCs hit and miss. The Orange CT GC is awesome, Manchester, not so much. (my guitarist loves it, i wonder why, stupid guitards) Ugh every time i read these threads theres bashing of my juvenile kind! Let me tell you I'm 12, listen to metal, and play bass,. Me and my friend occasionally walk into a store to play some stuff, even though we usually dont have an intention of buying. Is that such a bad thing? We like gear, and GC is a godsend to our likes. BTW, every time i play bass i wash my hands. I'm tired of the 12 year old hate? So what we touched a demo model? That make it become a terrible bass? Its not like i wipe my snot on the thing. And We're not idiots, we know what we like, we dont walk into a store and go oh, that looks pointy! it must be good! We do our research. I know what the difference between active and passive, set neck and bolt-on single coil and humbucker.
 
#51
Jo6Pak said:
FriscoBassAce, in particular, is knowledgeable and does genuinely care about his customers. He can be taken at his word. I speak from personal knowledge and experience, having dealt with him directly on numerous occasions. Not all GC employees rise to his level of customer care and expertise however, which is unfortunate.
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Thank you sir! Unfortunately, I can only work at one store at a time!
 
#53
rapturebass said:
^^^^ someone one who understands!

I think most of the comments are just old farts w/ chips on their shoulders. Guitar Center is a chain, like Wal-Mart, and you don't complain about Wal-Mart and their shoddy service do you? its a chain, you gotta do your research. Demos get beatn up, so what, thats what a demos for. And BTW, you people offend me. Im 12 and listento metal. The one i go to in Orange, CT, is good. Its just hit and miss.
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I am an old fart and YES...I complain about WalMart, as well. As long as you aren't trying to sell a beat up guitar or amp for full price, I don't care...however, when you attempt to sell a guitar or amp that has been beaten to death for $10.00 less than new - yeah, I'm going to call you on it...:D

You're 12 (or so you say)...go ask Dad if he wants to take a screwing at Guitar Center and see what he says...:smug:
 
#56
For the record, I like GC. My local one has been a disappointment. They've had a dead Peavey VB-2 on the floor for a year now. I was interested in buying it, but there was no output. One of the employees (very cool and knowledgable, btw) took it apart and saw something on the motherboard was fried. I offered to buy it with a discount if they would send it directly to Peavey for a warranty fix. GM said no dice, it went right back out on the floor, where it will sit forever.
 
#57
Buster Brown said:
I am an old fart and YES...I complain about WalMart, as well. As long as you aren't trying to sell a beat up guitar or amp for full price, I don't care...however, when you attempt to sell a guitar or amp that has been beaten to death for $10.00 less than new - yeah, I'm going to call you on it...:D

You're 12 (or so you say)...go ask Dad if he wants to take a screwing at Guitar Center and see what he says...:smug:
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I don't care for Wal-mart either, but I don't go on public forums talking about it.

And give the young man a break. He's 12 for Pete's sake!

One last thing...if anyone wants a brand new bass or amp, ask for one. It doesn't cost any more than a demo model. You might have to wait a little to get it sent to you if there isn't a boxed one in stock. But you will get one that's factory fresh that hasn't been touched by anyone since it left the factory. The only exception would be Used Gear or discontinued items.
 
#58
FriscoBassAce said:
One last thing...if anyone wants a brand new bass or amp, ask for one. It doesn't cost any more than a demo model. You might have to wait a little to get it sent to you if there isn't a boxed one in stock. But you will get one that's factory fresh that hasn't been touched by anyone since it left the factory. The only exception would be Used Gear or discontinued items.
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I bought a Squier 60's P a few days ago at the LBJ store and kinda freaked out when there was no box or paperwork or warranty card or anything to go with it. I should have asked for a boxed one...

I've been to the Lewisville store a time or two but none of the basses are accessable (hanging on the wall, ten feet off the ground...) to try so I haven't been back.
 
#59
IMO, GC sucks.. sure there's good employees.. it seems like there is many-many more ignorant, rude, condescending employees populating GC stores..

as for the store stock..

it seems there is a high amount of 2nds that are being sold as 1sts.. not just returns that are resold as new, but 2nds from the factories being dumped into GC..

if you buy anything from GC, inspect it before leaving the store.. and that includes strings, etc..

GC now, is not the GC it used to be before the buy out..
 
#60
Photoman1969 said:
I bought a Squier 60's P a few days ago at the LBJ store and kinda freaked out when there was no box or paperwork or warranty card or anything to go with it. I should have asked for a boxed one...

I've been to the Lewisville store a time or two but none of the basses are accessable (hanging on the wall, ten feet off the ground...) to try so I haven't been back.
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We just started getting those into the stores, although they've been on the market for a while. They are super cool and look fantastic in Sonic Blue. My store got the 60's P on Monday and the 50's P on Wednesday. We only got one of each though.

PM me and I can help you if you want a new one.

And regarding the basses being up high...it's cool but not so cool at the same time. Our Rumble Room is different (and bigger!) than many GC bass rooms. I think it was designed as a wow factor. At one point last year, I had nearly 200 basses hanging nearly to the ceiling in that room. It was a beautiful sight! If you're in the area anytime soon, stop by and ask for me. I'll be glad to climb a ladder and get you whatever bass you want!
 

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