Guitar Center Struggling

[willsellout]

For me, Chuck Levin's is local. They have really good service, I get great pricing without having to do anything and they have a pretty good selection. There is the bonus of El Pollo Rico (Peruvian chicken) within a block of their store, but I can't really use that metric against anyone else. I've never gotten a cent off Sweetwater's pricing, so I assume that my profile in the database has me flagged as whatever personality type that will pay full price because he values the experience, or something like that. Sweetwater doesn't make the Fender P bas, Guitar Center doesn't, Chuck Levin's doesn't, any retailer on Reverb don't so pricing and convenience will win my money. There are five Guitar Centers within a 45 minute drive and I can check their inventory before I leave the house. I want to like Sweetwater, but their "you will pay full retail" and random calls from a guy that's a hip hop producer, it just turns me off. The calls aren't to see how I'm doing, they're obviously to sell me more gear. Please tell me about the latest version of Serato. He's not going to tell me anything about bass. I guess I haven't had any bad experiences with Sweetwater, just haven't had any really good experiences that makes me want to pay full retail.

Yeah I totally get it. It's awesome you have a local shop. If there is a chink in Sweetwater's armor it's that their sales force structuring doesn't allow for people to be placed specifically with sales people with their particular skill set. I don't believe they even put forth a good faith effort in doing so. They believe their 3 month training program sets their sales folks up enough to deal with anything. It doesn't.

As far as the calls go, I know most people don't like them. I don't mind them, but most of the time I'm buying things often enough where I don't get random calls. I do most of my stuff through text with my SE. As an FYI, by their rules, in order for a sales person to keep your account in their name, they have to contact you at least every 6 months. If they go beyond that, your account could get snatched up by some other SE who is looking to add people to their account. An SE would also lose any commission that would have been made if you were to make a purchase and they are out of contact over that 6 month period as well.

For the record, I've never paid full retail at Sweetwater. I don't do a whole lot of haggling either. I ask my SE what he's willing to let it go at, basically asking how much are you willing to make me happy while you still make money. 100% of the time he gives me a price that is more than fair and that's why I buy from them. I could totally see not giving them any of my business if the person I was dealing with wasn't willing to cut any breaks. But I'm fine not getting the absolute lowest price imaginable though because of the customer service I get there, especially after my latest Fender Elite fiasco.

 

[MordBass]

With all due respect, I remember when the locals ruled the roost with an iron fist if you didn't like the prices tough luck! and before the internet, many musicians couldn't afford instruments or equipment GC has allowed millions of people the opportunity to make music also they pay taxes and hire locals who also pay local taxes helping whatever community they live in. The shops that survived are shops that have great reputations and offer services GC does not.

I completely agree about this. It always sounds great to support the locals but at the end of the day, a lot of them were/are terrible. Plenty of shady business practices, poor treatment of workers, sketchy returns... of course some are wonderful but simply being local doesnt make them the best option.

 

[CryingBass]

Just like Sam Ash, Sweetwater continues humming along nicely because they never allowed a leveraged buyout, while GC has had its ups and downs. Meanwhile, it's been 15 years since I was first told that GC would be shuttering their doors in a year, and they are still here. So hey...

Yep. If Chuck ever sells out Sweetwater ( ya never know, it would be huge $$$ for him), I think I’d be screwed. I get 90% of my gear from SW.

 

[Pewter camaro]

The guys at GC Villa Park have given us some great deals on accessories for a couple of our charity projects over the years too (apologies for the counterfeit PF shirt my wife innocently purchased for me)...

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Villa park And Lombard area has some nice small businesses. Perry’s music and Park avenue music Are the 2 I remember
Off the top of my head. I think there is a Sam ash as well. I hope they all make it through. I’ve bought a few low budget used guitars and a few amps from Perry’s music over the years.

 

[RabidMusic]

At my favorite music store in Louisville I dealt with the same keyboard person for 40 years. He was great. Like all the other good music stores, they finally closed down a few years ago. Too many people would come in, try out the instruments, then go home and order to avoid paying tax.

I've never found a GC or Sam Ash with decent service. I once stood in the Nashville Sam Ash for 30 minutes trying to buy a $3400 keyboard and no one would wait on me. Wanted to buy a nice Les Paul in the Lexington GC. A salesman got it down for me to try. I told him that the third string was buzzing. He looked at me like I was a fool and told me that his manager had set it up the day before. If it was buzzing I was playing it wrong. I handed it too him. He tried it and said "Hmmm. It is buzzing." I walked out the door and have not been back. I'd rather drive 7 hours to Sweetwater than deal with the salespeople that GC and SA hire.

 

[willsellout]

Yep. If Chuck ever sells out Sweetwater ( ya never know, it would be huge $$$ for him), I think I’d be screwed. I get 90% of my gear from SW.

That will never happen. Chuck is adamant that he will never sell it. They already have plans in place just in case something happens to him to ensure it stays locally owned.

 

[skycruiser]

If you call sweetwater and ask for a deal they always knock something off the price. I just saved pretty big on a Les Paul Standard for my son

Yup, or by email. Always 15-20% off. If you are paying full price at Sweetwater, you aren't doing it right.

 

[Wolfhound32]

As much as I HATE being bombarded by pimple-faced kids playing out of tune at high volume when walking in our local GC, I sure don't want to see them go under. We live about an hour south of GC which seems to be a sweet spot; our two or three local shops are far enough away that they can survive (we have one exceptional independent shop), but still close enough to keep our local shops on their toes.

The fallout if/when GC permanently closes will be significant as I know Fender is deeply tied with them, along with a few other companies that would struggle to survive without their GC relationship.

With unemployment skyrocketing, how many people will be able to afford to own a dozen Fender basses (or guitars for the less fortunate)? Perhaps we return to the days when we have one main instrument, maybe even a backup, and play them until they wear out...

 

[skycruiser]

For the record, I've never paid full retail at Sweetwater. I don't do a whole lot of haggling either. I ask my SE what he's willing to let it go at, basically asking how much are you willing to make me happy while you still make money. 100% of the time he gives me a price that is more than fair and that's why I buy from them. I could totally see not giving them any of my business if the person I was dealing with wasn't willing to cut any breaks. But I'm fine not getting the absolute lowest price imaginable though because of the customer service I get there, especially after my latest Fender Elite fiasco.

That's my approach. After a few emails to help me figure out the best gear for my needs, I ask what price he can do on them, and go ahead with the order. Like you said, the service is good, discount is decent, so I don't haggle. Fair price is what I'm looking for. At first I didn't like the idea of a personal sales rep but now I'm really happy with the setup. I never get calls for some reason.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

All I can say is I recent ran across a used bass, and even amid the pandemic, they are not dealing at all on prices. Maybe just this location I was corresponding with. But you can't tell me they don't have an option to drop prices on used gear, just to move it. After all we are in a BUYER'S MARKET.

Looking at a Ric 4003 they want over 1800 for. I was just wanting to see if they'd knock 20% off. I know they pick up stuff at real low values. Because I've been there and done that trading in something, and really got taken to the cleaners on the deal. Guess the hens are coming home to roost.

 

[wmhill]

with the consistently horrible experiences that I have had with GC and MF through the years, I can't feel sorry for them one little bit.
In fact the word Karma comes to mind.

 

[jdh3000]

It's one of the few business's not opening here.
I like going in there, looking around, trying stuff out and if I like it and can get it without credit, I get it there or order it from them and have it sent to my house, which only takes their distribution center two days here.
I've taken stuff back because it didn't work for me and they never give me a hassle.
It's good to support them to keep their doors open.
Most of the staff are real nice and helpful as much as they can be.

I hope they can make it. We need brick and morter stores. I can't imagine when I was a teen not having stores music stores to go in, playing and falling in love with an instrument...then go cut grass and haul hay until I could get it. I don't think looking in a catalog would've generated as much enthusiasm.

 

[arbiterusa]

Where I grew up, the music store circa 1970 was run by a cranky old man who played violin and didnt let you touch anything. Everything was behind the counter or a glass case. And it smelled funny.

That was the closest one to my house. Village Music, Encinitas, 1981. In retrospect, the "cranky old guy" was probably in his thirties. Old enough for me as I was 14. He knew I occasionally bought violin and trombone stuff. Asked him what I should get, a guitar or bass. Both my parents played guitar - a lot of people did. But nobody played bass and I liked the sound. So he told me this and it changed my life:

"You want girls, go play the guitar. IF YOU WANT TO WORK, get a bass."

I got a bass and he wasn't kidding. Every damn guitar player in school had my number by the next week. I hardly knew how to tune the damn thing. Didn't matter. Nobody else had one!

To this day I've never had to hunt gigs - I get called.

Say what you will about your local music store, but you can't get career advice like that at Guitar Center.

 

[citizenchris099]

Well,I did my part.
The last bass I bought was from GC Online in Nov.

Same

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Hmmm, now that I think about it, the last Guitar Center coupon I received was 4/1/20. Does anyone have a coupon after that? So is it a COVID thing, where you can't use it in the store anyways and they mostly use the coupons to get you in store and move inventory off the shelves. Yeah, I know the exclusions, but generally they override that and give you the discount on anything except Bose and Apple. Now their sales are 48 months, same as cash.

 

[Chas49]

GC is one of the best places to order used gear at decent prices. The 45 day return policy makes it a no brainer. I've purchased a number of used items via their website just to try them out, including a very nice V4B reissue and a Fender neo 115 cab. I kept both. Both were cheaper (especially with shipping) than anything I could find on Reverb. I also bought a 60's Original bass but returned it because it just wasn't for me. In that case I had to eat the $20 or so for shipping. Not a bad price to pay to take a bass home for a month.

Having said that, of course you should always support your local mom & pop shop. But if you want to try out something that isn't available locally, sometimes GC is the way to go.

As for Sweetwater, I find them incredibly irritating. I know that's an unpopular opinion and that many people love them. I just can't handle the constant unwarranted e-mails/phone calls. I've asked my rep to stop calling me and he has, thankfully. But because of the harassment they're always a last option for me.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

That was the closest one to my house. Village Music, Encinitas, 1981. In retrospect, the "cranky old guy" was probably in his thirties. Old enough for me as I was 14. He knew I occasionally bought violin and trombone stuff. Asked him what I should get, a guitar or bass. Both my parents played guitar - a lot of people did. But nobody played bass and I liked the sound. So he told me this and it changed my life:

"You want girls, go play the guitar. IF YOU WANT TO WORK, get a bass."

I got a bass and he wasn't kidding. Every damn guitar player in school had my number by the next week. I hardly knew how to tune the damn thing. Didn't matter. Nobody else had one!

To this day I've never had to hunt gigs - I get called.

Say what you will about your local music store, but you can't get career advice like that at Guitar Center.

My most entertaining experience at Guitar Center was from a customer. He was playing every Metallica album track for track, in order I believe. I went in early in the day for something and had to go back a few hours later. He was still going. He was like the Rain Man of Metallica guitar. "We love it when you touch the stuff". "But come one, you've been here for hours."

 

[Gaolee]

Yeah I totally get it. It's awesome you have a local shop. If there is a chink in Sweetwater's armor it's that their sales force structuring doesn't allow for people to be placed specifically with sales people with their particular skill set. I don't believe they even put forth a good faith effort in doing so. They believe their 3 month training program sets their sales folks up enough to deal with anything. It doesn't.

As far as the calls go, I know most people don't like them. I don't mind them, but most of the time I'm buying things often enough where I don't get random calls. I do most of my stuff through text with my SE. As an FYI, by their rules, in order for a sales person to keep your account in their name, they have to contact you at least every 6 months. If they go beyond that, your account could get snatched up by some other SE who is looking to add people to their account. An SE would also lose any commission that would have been made if you were to make a purchase and they are out of contact over that 6 month period as well.

For the record, I've never paid full retail at Sweetwater. I don't do a whole lot of haggling either. I ask my SE what he's willing to let it go at, basically asking how much are you willing to make me happy while you still make money. 100% of the time he gives me a price that is more than fair and that's why I buy from them. I could totally see not giving them any of my business if the person I was dealing with wasn't willing to cut any breaks. But I'm fine not getting the absolute lowest price imaginable though because of the customer service I get there, especially after my latest Fender Elite fiasco.

The SE I go to at Sweetwater doesn't bother me if I haven't bought anything for a while. She's always there when I do buy something or have a question. So, it works fine for me, and apparently well enough for her. She's been there something like eight years now, and that's about when I discovered Sweetwater.

I can't say what their internal structure is, but I can say that I'm not a high end customer. I don't buy much that's expensive, since I neither need nor want expensive gear at this point. It's mostly cables, strings, and things like that, with the occasional microphone, headphones, or something else like that thrown in on a very rare occasion.

The local GC here succumbed to development pressure and moved. I was in their new location once, and found it to be an improvement over their old location. But that was a couple years ago. I assume they are still there. The new location isn't on my way home from work, which means I don't go there unless they have something I want that's not available somewhere else. American Music has a shop that's within a reasonable walking distance from home, so that's where I get most of what I buy.

GC is caught in a no-man's land between a relatively pure mail-order place like Sweetwater and local shops like American Music. I know the people at American Music and have known some of them for more than a decade. They have quirky and higher end stuff that GC doesn't have. So, there's not much reason for me to go to GC.

 

[MordBass]

Villa park And Lombard area has some nice small businesses. Perry’s music and Park avenue music Are the 2 I remember
Off the top of my head. I think there is a Sam ash as well. I hope they all make it through. I’ve bought a few low budget used guitars and a few amps from Perry’s music over the years.

Park ave shut down over a decade ago and perrys tops out at about $400 for an instrument these days. Beautiful Music in downers called it quits about 8 years back, music solutions in bolingbrook has moved to the industrial area off of I-55 but is still going. Fairview music in dg shut down about 6 years back, as did brookdale music in naperville.
Sucks, but thats the reality of all these locals. Sadly, it seems that all of them had one thing in common... and thats the glass ceiling for what they carry. They all used to offer stuff from starter guitars to pro level usa stuff and then they slowly stopped getting the good stuff in.
FWIW, Naperville music carries the full run of starter to pro and they always have customers when I stop in, same with Tobias music in DG.
Why limit your customer base to beginners and plan your own obsolescence? Especially in an area like dupage county.

 

[Holdsg]

If GC were to die, I'd survive. I'm one of those "well to-do hobbyists"
I am much more concerned about the specialty bass/gear stores, of which are fewer and fewer every year.
I'll probably forget some, but these are ones I frequent:

Bass Club Chicago
Rocket Music
Bass San Diego
Mesa Boogie Hollywood
TheBassShopSeattle
The Bass Place
Chicago Music Exchange
Bass Central (but it's been years)
The Amp Exchange (but it's been years)