Guitar Center ends lay away policy

[davidjbass]

So I had not step into a GC in a while. I have been giving my business to local small music stores. But I was up in NH yesterday on business and had a little extra time so I decided to stop by the Nashua GC to check things out. When I got there I saw a bass that I liked and tried it out. I liked it enough to ask if I could put some money down on it to hold it for a couple of weeks until I got paid. I was informed that GC no longer has a lay away policy! This is store wide. I was kind of floored. But not surprised giving that it's GC. So I walked away not buying the bass. GC does it again. LOL!

 

[Killing Floor]

Which hasn’t been a thing necessary since the 1990s because GC will offer you a payment plan that allows you to have the merchandise same day, the store and the manufacturer are paid within a business day and everyone wins.
Vs. the decades gone layaway where both you and the store have to sit on money for no value and the manufacturer (if floorplanning) also doesn’t get paid and yet the merchandise is “not for sale” without being technically sold.

How ridiculous that it took them so long. That’s why they are struggling, took too long to get out of the 90s.

 

[E2942]

I was more than a little surprised when other players have mentioned they bought gear on layaway.
If I can't put it on a credit card right now & be comfortable in knowing I can pay that debt at the end of the month, then I wouldn't be shopping.

 

[gln1955]

I've never bought a musical instrument without having cash in hand to pay for it, not even when I was a broke college student.

 

[turf3]

I'm kind of surprised any place even still has this. I would have thought that the explosion in credit cards would have eliminated it. Isn't that basically the same thing (if you pay off the full balance every month, like I've done every month since some time in 1989)?

 

[sleddogn]

LOTS of places still offer layaway. Wildwood guitars is one of them. I've used layaway at least 3 times in last few years. Lots of high horse mentions in regards to why buy if you can't pay right away

 

[E2942]

Financial Responsibility is a high horse?

 

[Rich Fiscus]

Financial Responsibility is a high horse?

In what way is layaway irresponsible? I’m honestly curious.

 

[E2942]

Spending money before you earn it, my dad would probably whoop me!

 

[bobba66]

Get a haircut, and get a real job!

 

[Rich Fiscus]

Spending money before you earn it, my dad would probably whoop me!

I still don’t get it. You don’t spend money on a layaway until you go in to make a payment, and you don’t get the merchandise until it’s paid off. It’s literally the opposite of financial irresponsibility.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Because practically everyone has a credit or debit card, layaway is not worth the effort for the store. Simple as that.

 

[E2942]

It’s literally the opposite of financial irresponsibility.

You have a written definition?

It's figuratively spending money before you get it, so that the next payday is already compromised.

Sure, some buyers may actually have it budgeted, but I feel like the majority just want something they can't really afford. The payment plan goes well, until there's an unforeseen expense & then what happens?
The buyer may lose that instrument, or if have to put another in pawn to make the payment.

I've seen it SO many times!

 

[sleddogn]

Financial Responsibility is a high horse?

Not at all, but there is judging by acting one is better in a couple of those mentions is all i was pointing out....

 

[sleddogn]

Because practically everyone has a credit or debit card, layaway is not worth the effort for the store. Simple as that.

Unless it is.... how can it be that simple? odd

 

[E2942]

It's been my rules for years & years that I have six months worth of cash in the bank before even starting to think about shopping for gear.

 

[JRA]

GC will offer you a payment plan that allows you to have the merchandise same day, the store and the manufacturer are paid within a business day and everyone wins.

so, the OP could've walked out with his ax? i wonder why the store didn't offer that plan (the OP was apparently unaware of it).

wouldn't that plan appeal to you, @davidjbass?

 

[gln1955]

so, the OP could've walked out with his ax? i wonder why the store didn't offer that plan (the OP was apparently unaware of it).

wouldn't that plan appeal to you, @davidjbass?

They would have done a credit check (not at all saying that would be a problem for the OP, but it could be for some people).

 

[JRA]

They would have done a credit check (not at all saying that would be a problem for the OP, but it could be for some people).

got it, i didn't think of that --- thanks!

 

[E2942]

When I was actively buying things from Guitar Center they sent me invites to start a store card with them so many times.
I never did, but it's a viable option if you want to make installments. Sam Ash push their store card, too!