When i ordered my MM sterling last summer I had them ship it to a local GC. This way I could try it right there and leave it in case it was a lemon.
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Guitar Center Used: Don't Buy Items
- Thread starter NicJimBass
- Start date
I hope everyone knows they should be getting their shipping money back to when they return a bass that's not as described. GC will never offer it, you have to ask for it.
If you're returning it cuz you don't like it, but when you buy a used bass, find out the truss is maxed/the electronics are dead/it looks like it's been run over by a truck and none of that was in the description, you get every penny back.
If you're returning it cuz you don't like it, but when you buy a used bass, find out the truss is maxed/the electronics are dead/it looks like it's been run over by a truck and none of that was in the description, you get every penny back.
When I returned a trashed MIM last month the manager acted like he was doing me a favor " I am going to make sure right now that you get that shipping back as well" I just said thanks but its like yeah I know you were it literally looked like it came out of the garbage and I buy some beat guitars as I dont like to baby gear. They couldnt believe how beat it was.
So I bought a used Hughes and Kettner Bassbase 600 from a Massachusetts Guitar Center about two weeks ago. The lights didn't work on it, and the eq section must have been bad because moving the treble control did absolutely nothing. I promptly returned it to the local GC here in Las Vegas, who did what? Of course, they put it out for sale at the same price with no mention of all the problems.
I would avoid buying that amp.
I would avoid buying that amp.
This one has been disappearing and reappearing as "just arrived" on the used site for months.
I'm guessing that means it's being bought and returned over and over again. Something must be horribly wrong with it.
VINTAGE FENDER VINTAGE JAZZ BASS
Guitar Center West LA
Los Angeles, California 90064
310-475-0637
$1,999.99
I'm guessing that means it's being bought and returned over and over again. Something must be horribly wrong with it.
VINTAGE FENDER VINTAGE JAZZ BASS
Guitar Center West LA
Los Angeles, California 90064
310-475-0637
$1,999.99
There are a number of vintage basses that re-appear as Newly Listed each day, that one is among them. I'm not sure if there is something wrong with them, or, more likely, someone at GC is "bumping" them so they stay at the top like newly listed instruments.
When I was in this store last week, this bass was $90 with a busted truss rod. Now it's apparently $209 with no mention of the truss. I highly doubt they fixed it. Liars lairs, pants on fire.
Used Hohner JBASS F1 FRETLESS Black Electric Bass Guitar
This product comes with a bag.
Guitar Center Commack
Commack, New York 11725
631-858-2388
$209.99
Used Hohner JBASS F1 FRETLESS Black Electric Bass Guitar
This product comes with a bag.
Guitar Center Commack
Commack, New York 11725
631-858-2388
$209.99
I have had such an unbelievable string of bad luck with GC lately that it is not even funny. It's too exhausting to even mention but long and short, I ask detailed and thorough questions about condition. I have this one store the third degree about a J bass. They were great liars because I walked away thinking, or it just sounds like this bass needs a little cleaning.
It arrived and was caked in DNA, goo, and tobacco smoke. And man do I ask about tobacco smoke. I was so pissed that I started cleaning it and then realized I was helping them if i returned it better than it arrived so I called and grinded them for some extras. Ended up being a great bass and clean up project but hours of work and lots of materials used.
Then later that week, another J was at the store. I got a different sales buy on the phone and did my usual Lt. Columbo wtih questions about condition. This time I prefaced by telling the story of the DNA bass that they sold me. He said "Man I am sorry that shouldn't happen. Let's go through this thoroughly for you." I asked about smoke, dings scratches, etc. " The net of the conversation was that I was buying a bass that was pretty darn clean save for some light scratches.
Well that bass arrived and was 10X worse than the first one. The gig bag was caked in tobacco residue. THe bass was too. The hardware was rusted to the core, and the bass and tobacco STAINS on it! Here are some pics. It was the Fort Wayne, IN store...
It arrived and was caked in DNA, goo, and tobacco smoke. And man do I ask about tobacco smoke. I was so pissed that I started cleaning it and then realized I was helping them if i returned it better than it arrived so I called and grinded them for some extras. Ended up being a great bass and clean up project but hours of work and lots of materials used.
Then later that week, another J was at the store. I got a different sales buy on the phone and did my usual Lt. Columbo wtih questions about condition. This time I prefaced by telling the story of the DNA bass that they sold me. He said "Man I am sorry that shouldn't happen. Let's go through this thoroughly for you." I asked about smoke, dings scratches, etc. " The net of the conversation was that I was buying a bass that was pretty darn clean save for some light scratches.
Well that bass arrived and was 10X worse than the first one. The gig bag was caked in tobacco residue. THe bass was too. The hardware was rusted to the core, and the bass and tobacco STAINS on it! Here are some pics. It was the Fort Wayne, IN store...
Attachments
^wow. That is just wrong.
Aren't you glad they have a 30 day return policy?
Yes but the last thing I need to do is strap a tobacco-crusted 11lbs POS bass to my bad back and commute to a guitar center (by subway and by foot mind you) to return a bass I would have never bought if they could just hire competent, honest, and/or knowledgeable sales people. This is invariably an hour of my life I never get back.
Have them reimburse you for your subway fare and ask one of the sales associates for a foot rub.....lol
j/k in all seriousness hoped you spoke to a manager. typically they'll compensate you one way or another if your upfront about your experience and the time wasted by the ordeal. in most cases they'll throw you a set of bass strings or give you a discount on something else.... time is valuable, so you should be compensated for there employee's incompetence.
I did and in fairness he gave me some stuff (strings for the tobacco bass and a bag for the DNA J bass that I ended up keeping and turning into a clean mean growling machine).
I have met lots of great folk at GC too but the bad ones stick out and lately I have had a run of bad luck. I have an equal horror story from another store. All this is the past few weeks. And many, many more. I keep going back though because I am a collector and as long as I can find cool things there at decent prices I have to try right?
Alright guys one for the team. There is going to be a Bossa obj5 bass popping up soon, do not buy it unless you plan on fixing a twisted neck. I repeat dont buy it and save yourself some money on gas driving back to return it lol. I had it, I wish it worked out for me but it didnt,nice bass with a quilted top.(but twisted neck)
Oh look here it is. And it is listed as being in "five stars condition." These guys are unbelievable.
Used Bossa OBJ 5 Custom Electric Bass Guitar
View Store's Used Inventory
Contact Store
Now Only
$999.99
I played this yesterday. The saddles are bottomed out, the neck is nearly perfectly straight, and the action is mile high. You can't exactly shim a neck through bass. And the controls really don't seem to do much.
Used Carvin LB70 Electric Bass Guitar
FRETLESS W/CASE. This product comes with a case.
Guitar Center Carle Place
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-248-2020
$599.99
Used Carvin LB70 Electric Bass Guitar
FRETLESS W/CASE. This product comes with a case.
Guitar Center Carle Place
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-248-2020
$599.99
^this one is odd.Carvins are usually pretty legit.I just picked up a few things from the Albany GC(i'm there about once a week if anyone needs anything looked at) and here's how it went.I ordered a Carvin LB70 and an Avatar 2x10.both came from california and arrived the same day.The box the Carvin was shipped in had a footprint on the side of it near the top but when it came out of the box it was actually in better condition then i expected.I know the ranking means nothing but this said "fair" and was on the cheap so i was expecting the worst but it had one dig on the neck that was it.totally clean other then the ding.Awesome bass i've had a few Carvins but this one is really something.All maple with an ebony fretboard.The Avatar came out of the box and looked to be in good condition cosmetically.When i plugged it in air was comming through the tweeter and made a sound like Cthulhu walking into a trailer hitch ball.Returned it with no problem.I've been dealing with the same folks at my local gc for years and they know that this isnt my first time in the pool so they dont try to jerk me around with shipping charges or anything.When they get a new employee who wants to be a cowboy i just ask for AJ in the albany store and i'm very well taken care of.
