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Guitar Center Used: Don't Buy Items

I bought a Lakland 55-02 from the Townson, Maryland store. It arrived yesterday with some issues. It buzzed on the lower frets and had some serious fret sprout. The saddles were jacked way up but the action was low. It played OK, but it just wasn't right. I've been doing my own set ups for a number of years. I'm pretty sure this one had a slight hump in the neck. When I tested the upper frets with a straight edge from the 12th-15th fret, there was some fall away towards the body. It just wasn't right. I returned it and to no surprise, it has been relisted at the North Attleboro store where I brought it back, even though they refunded my shipping, admitting that there was an issue with the bass.

They also have it listed as a 10.0. Crazy.
 
I bought a Lakland 55-02 from the Townson, Maryland store. It arrived yesterday with some issues. It buzzed on the lower frets and had some serious fret sprout. The saddles were jacked way up but the action was low. It played OK, but it just wasn't right. I've been doing my own set ups for a number of years. I'm pretty sure this one had a slight hump in the neck. When I tested the upper frets with a straight edge from the 12th-15th fret, there was some fall away towards the body. It just wasn't right. I returned it and to no surprise, it has been relisted at the North Attleboro store where I brought it back, even though they refunded my shipping, admitting that there was an issue with the bass.

If youve been following the saga on this bass, I just received and responded to an email from the rep who sold it to me. I though you guys might like this:

"Hi, Michael.

I just wanted to make sure the Lakland sounds great. Your feedback is always appreciated.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if there is anything else I can do for you.

Thanks again for working with me, and have a great weekend."

I replied:

Hi Tony,

I wish I would have asked more questions about it when I was on the phone. The Lakland arrived with a serious case of fret sprout that was indicative of a lack of care for the instrument. The saddles were jacked way up despite the low action. I tried to rectify it to no avail. I have been playing for 25+ years and setting up my own basses for 10+ years at least and I could not remedy the poor playability of the bass.

At minimum, it needed to have the fret ends filed down and a neck shim, or fret work. It may have even needed a board leveling and complete re-fret. It was in otherwise nice shape, but the neck had serious issues that should have been caught before the bass shipped out, I dare say, even when I was on the phone.

I returned the bass to my local GC for a full refund including shipping. They then turned around and sold it 24 hours later to someone who probably didn't know any better. Quite a shame really.

I have had some great buys from the GC used site in the past and this won't necessarily deter me from making another purchase, in fact, I just unpacked an amp I bought from another GC and I am waiting to test it. This experience has taught me that I need to be a little more cautious and that I need to ask a ton more questions when inquiring about used gear.

So while it was an unsuccessful purchase, I think it was a good learning experience. Although I know it must be hard over the din in the store, I hope that in the future you and your other sales staff will be a bit more detail-oriented when inspecting and reporting on the condition of your used gear.

Have a great weekend,

Mike
 
If youve been following the saga on this bass, I just received and responded to an email from the rep who sold it to me. I though you guys might like this:

"Hi, Michael.

I just wanted to make sure the Lakland sounds great. Your feedback is always appreciated.

..."

I replied:

Hi Tony,

...

I returned the bass to my local GC for a full refund including shipping. ...

Which is where he probably hit delete since his commission just vanished...
 
Thanks, didn't know that. I normally deal with one person here, the Platinum manager, but I'll be more aware of the commission thing. He seems to care about doing the right thing all the time and doesn't seem to be focused on just the $$. Good guy.
 
I bought and returned this wishbass. The fingerboard is coming loose and the neck is badly bowed. I'm really curious what they would tell someone asking about it over the phone. Anyone feel like calling?
USED WISH BASS FRETLESS DOUBLE CUT

Guitar Center Carle Place
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-248-2020
$199.99
110042921_th.jpg
 
I bought and had to return this bass because the truss rod is maxed out and is in danger of breaking through the fingerboard if forced to move anymore.
It was a shame since it was so cool looking, and all the guys at the GC where I bought it were super cool about returning it, even though it was "vintage" and was passed the 72 hour return time.
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Word of advice: before you buy anything from our used site, call an employee at the location and have them personally make sure it's in good condition... make sure you ask their name so they know if they try to stretch the truth, you can call and say that So-and-so mislead you on the product. And then buy it from them so they get the credit after they helped you, of course.
 
Word of advice: before you buy anything from our used site, call an employee at the location and have them personally make sure it's in good condition... make sure you ask their name so they know if they try to stretch the truth, you can call and say that So-and-so mislead you on the product. And then buy it from them so they get the credit after they helped you, of course.

It's good advise, but it doesn't matter. The wishbass I bought was apparently personally looked over and played by an employee who's name I got. He claimed to have worked in the store for 12 years and was actually a bass player rather than a guitar player who also plays bass. He told me he sat down and played it. The electronics worked great. The action was nice and low. In reality, the fingerboard is coming unattached and the action was nearly an inch off the fingerboard due to the horrendous neck bow.

It's fine by me though, since I got all my money back plus shipping. It's hit or miss, regardless of what the guy on the phone might say.
 
It's good advise, but it doesn't matter. The wishbass I bought was apparently personally looked over and played by an employee who's name I got. He claimed to have worked in the store for 12 years and was actually a bass player rather than a guitar player who also plays bass. He told me he sat down and played it. The electronics worked great. The action was nice and low. In reality, the fingerboard is coming unattached and the action was nearly an inch off the fingerboard due to the horrendous neck bow.

It's fine by me though, since I got all my money back plus shipping. It's hit or miss, regardless of what the guy on the phone might say.

That's rough. Sorry that happened. I would love to give the guy the benefit of the doubt that maybe he didn't notice it was coming off but you never know... At least you can always get your money back within 30 days. That certainly wouldn't fly at my location.
 
I check used.guitarcenter.com pretty much every day I'm at work. This one has been floating from GC to GC all around the country for maybe years. There has to be something terribly wrong with it.
VINTAGE KENT MODEL 528 BASS
Guitar Center Birmingham
Hoover, Alabama 35216
205-824-6454
$299.99
107307807_th.jpg
 
I just got the most beat to crap bass I have ever had from GC. It was listed as a 3 out of 5. Well its a MIM Jazz it has old 70s import replacement tuners that I didnt see in the photos there crap tuners worse then the MIM's and barely turn. Rust covered etc. The back bow in the neck has the action sitting at probably a inch almost. Truss rod looks stripped. Cracked fingerboard in a spot. The back of the neck has half the finish worn off so the maple is gray. I didnt even know that could happen on a MIM the neck finish is pretty bullet proof. Overally dirty, I had to wash my hands after it was so dusty. Huge maybe 2 inch chip on the back , strap pins stripped out and handing 1/4 inch off the body, mismatched strings.

The thing is roasted, I dont even know if its worthy of fixing if it was free unless you cleaned it, didnt mind a beat body and used a new neck.


How do you return a bass? I am rather pissed and I want every dime back, shipping, bass cost, tax etc. Do I need to send it or go to a local one and if I go to a local one do I bring the box? my car is getting worked on so I would likely take my motorcycle.