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Guitar Center Used: Don't Buy Items

#142
A-Step-Towards said:
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.
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Call them, ask to speak to the Sales Manager, tell him everything, get them to issue a UPS call tag where they pick it up from your house. I've been through this several times.
 
#144
Makes you wonder why they don't take detailed pics on used gear. Do they not have standards when buying used gear? The bass A Step is dealing with....why would they even have that? Seems to me they have a crazy purchase policy and then try to ship the stuff off and hope it doesn't return. Waste if time and a lot of money.
 
#145
sleepy_monkey said:
Makes you wonder why they don't take detailed pics on used gear. Do they not have standards when buying used gear? The bass A Step is dealing with....why would they even have that? Seems to me they have a crazy purchase policy and then try to ship the stuff off and hope it doesn't return. Waste if time and a lot of money.
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I often wonder this.

Very lame as I was hoping to score a solid deal as it was a gift to a very awesome friend who doesn't have a bass, has been borrowing mine and has done many recordings in his studio for me. So I was going to set it up as a house bass for his studio but not this I would be embarrassed gifting this.


Thanks for the info Dave
 
#146
sleepy_monkey said:
Makes you wonder why they don't take detailed pics on used gear. Do they not have standards when buying used gear? The bass A Step is dealing with....why would they even have that? Seems to me they have a crazy purchase policy and then try to ship the stuff off and hope it doesn't return. Waste if time and a lot of money.
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Well GC is hugely in debt and could collapse at any moment...ok, mainly due to BAIN, but still their infrastructure is a joke and they have no consistent policies for anything, things get bought in by people who have no idea how to tie their shoelaces, much less deal with instruments
 
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#147
OTOH, they move huge amounts of gear and (like many mass market chains) has a business model that doesn't allow for a fully trained store sales force.

I've had good luck by contacting the store manager and asking very detailed questions about the item. A few weeks ago I tried to buy 2 separate 400RB amps. Asked the store rep both times to please plug in and check them out for distortion, scratchy pots, and any other issues when they had a minute (the price seemed too low).

Both guys called back to tell me they were non-working units. Pretty sure they were pulled from the search as well.
 
#148
I've been blatantly lied to by salesmen at GC's all over the country. I'll ask them if the electronics work as they should, and they'll tell me they wouldn't have bought it in if it had problems. Then the bass arrives either DOA or crackly and half functional. Same for major construction flaws or general cosmetic issues. They just lie to you. Which is silly considering they have to give back your money plus shipping, and the liar loses his commission.

On the other hand, I've bought things that were way underpriced. I just bought a ubass that that was less than half of what they could have charged for it. Sometimes their ignorance/stupidity works in the buyers favor.
 
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#150
There's an 80s USA Fender Jazz in the LIC store for 799. Neck is bowed and the tech there said it won't turn anymore. E serial # but the second digit was shaved off. Non original guard. Someone should take it apart and verify original parts and could probably make some money parting it out
 
#152
Maybe a string broke?:

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SOLID BODY ELECTRIC Pentabuzz 4 String
Used Pedulla 1994 Pentabuzz 4 String Black Fretl
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Guitar Center Manhattan
Manhattan, New York 10011
212-463-7500
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$999.99
BASSES | SOLID BODY ELECTRIC | Pentabuzz 4 String
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Joni Scimone
Used Pedulla 1994 Pentabuzz 4 String Black Fretless Electric Bass
 
#156
Even if it turns out to be a total fecal remnant... the most you'll lose is the cost of shipping when you return it for a refund... $24.86

I've found some killer deals on killer basses... and some awful deals on awful basses...

Half the fun... is keeping your fingers crossed... :bassist:
 
#159
The store in Queens as a 2000 Fender American Standard for $600. Maxed out truss rod and the frets are very uneven. They tried to convince me all it needed was a setup. I told them the neck is firewood and offered $300 for the value of the body. They said no.
 
#160
I've bought two things from GC used online. 3 years ago, I bought a Streamer Stage II 5. I asked for pictures, asked a lot of questions, and especially focused on the neck and making sure it was in good shape....got it, played it, played well and electronics worked. Then I looked it over more closely, and noticed the neck was twisted. Not severe enough to ruin the playability, but enough to be noticeable and I worried about whether I'd be able to set it up better to my liking, and more importantly, if it was going to get worse. Thankfully they allow you to return to your local GC (was in PA at the time, and bought it from Austin, TX store), so it went back the next day. Of course, it was put back up for sale and bought within a day or two. A few months later, it showed back up at my local GC again....looked it over, and neck was still twisted. Made me nervous to ever buy again.

However, last week, I saw a Markbass combo amp on sale across the country again, and ordered it on a whim hoping it would work well, but knowing I could take it back if necessary. Got it earlier this week, and the thing is absolutely mint. Better condition than the ones I see on the sales floor typically. So far, everything works 100%, and can't find fault. Hopefully it lasts of course, but I am extremely pleased with my luck this go-round.

Best option is, of course, to test in person whenever possible, and if that's not possible then see if someone else can test it for you. You can ask them questions, and sometimes you may get lucky and get a good rep who answers accurately. But honestly, most of them probably aren't too vested in being that detailed, and would rather have the sale, so I'd imagine they'll probably overlook things and chalk it up to "no big deal" in order to get you to place the order and get it out the door. But, so long as you have a local GC, just always know you can return it if necessary. If you can afford it, it's worth the risk if it's a particularly good deal (which, honestly, they tend to have pretty good to sometimes excellent prices on used gear).
 

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