How do you find awesome deals at GC?

[Chrisk-K]

I read about some awesome deals at GC here at TB. A new Stingray for around $1k, a new Warwick $$ for around $1k, etc.

Is there a secret? Or, should I visit GC more often, hoping to encounter such a deal?

 

[knucklehead G]

Keep an eye on the forum here, hot deals usually are posted quickly.

 

[UndeadGladiator]

You know, if new is not necessarily a necessity, I find lots of great deals on the used gear section of their website.

 

[GregDunn]

If you're interested in used gear (and sometimes you can get a killer deal that way too) go to http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedGear/index.cfm and search for a range of distance from your zip. I have gotten some quality buys for around $100 without driving more than 20 miles, and passed up several more because I wasn't in the market.

edit: you sneaked in while I was typing.

 

[remy26]

I think that getting great deals on "new" stuff (usually basses that have been around a while) happens every so often too. I chalk these up to dumb luck, being in the right place at the right time. There are a lot of deals to be had at Guitar Center that aren't advertised and when you see them, you have to jump on them.

 

[Vic Winters]

If you're interested in used gear (and sometimes you can get a killer deal that way too) go to http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedGear/index.cfm and search for a range of distance from your zip. I have gotten some quality buys for around $100 without driving more than 20 miles, and passed up several more because I wasn't in the market.

edit: you sneaked in while I was typing.

They'll ship too. Not sure about amps, cabs or drums, but they'll ship basses no problem.

 

[dougjwray]

A couple of years ago, I nabbed a new GK 1001RBII for $250 at Guitar Center. It was a floor demo... slightly scuffed, but perfectly operational.
I think you just have to stop by often, and hope for good luck.

 

[Bass-Adrenaline]

Either check out their used section or exploit the holes in their website when they pop up. lol

 

[xjeremiahx]

They'll ship too. Not sure about amps, cabs or drums, but they'll ship basses no problem.

we'll ship pretty much anything that doesn't require freight shipping, unless you're willing to pay it.
our used site rules, look at the clearance stuff too. for example, i have an ibanez ATK401(i think?) in my store clearanced out....we're not getting anymore...and she's gettin marked down more and more.

hell, shoot me a message if you're lookin for anything in particular and i'll look around.

 

[BillyIVbass]

I wait for 20% off coupons. It's really nice when I'm looking at like a $100 item.

There seems to always be a 10% off coupon running that's right on their site. I casually will window shop local music stores. If you can save up some cash and sit on it for awhile you'll probably accidentally stumble onto a deal.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Either check out their used section or exploit the holes in their website when they pop up. lol

ha yes!

 

[xjeremiahx]

I wait for 20% off coupons. It's really nice when I'm looking at like a $100 item.

There seems to always be a 10% off coupon running that's right on their site. I casually will window shop local music stores. If you can save up some cash and sit on it for awhile you'll probably accidentally stumble onto a deal.

yeah, there's always that(stupid) 10% off coupon on the site. it never goes away.
the big 'sale' weekends usually have a 15% off one.
they do some cool promos, but lately they've been meh at best.

 

[fretlessfivefun]

There's a used Warwick $$ at my GC I'm seeing on the site now. Its only $549. I haven't played one yet and I think I'm going to be making a trip for the fun of it.

 

[Bassist Jay]

I have a deal with my local Guitar Center. He knows I get coupons sent to me virtually every weekend for 15% off plus free shipping and no tax. I have told him if he matches that deal, I will do business with him instead of doing it online. So far, he has done that every time. Although on my last deal, I really kind of made out. I bought an Ibanez SR 500 Guitar Center exclusive bass. The finish was not the regular Brown stain but instead was a Poplar Burl Brown Burst. The bass was $599.99 plus tax then the hardshell case was I think $119.99 plus tax, the strap and straplocks were combined around $40.00 plus tax. I ended up getting everything out the door for just under $600.00. I think the total was maybe $590.00 or something.

 

[bassbully]

Get to know the staff, guitar manager or store manager ...that helps. I know some of the guys in the GC I go to and they tip me off to things now and then. I also get better deals and even trades this way.

 

[lousybassplayer]

Make outlandish demands or stage a picket line outside the store. Also, you can throw their instruments against hard objects and then ask for a markdown over the condition.

Another option, ask nicely and talk to an insider like we seem to have in this thread. This may work better, but YMMV.

 

[jpTron]

exploit the holes in their website when they pop up. lol

Haha, YES!!!!!!!!!

 

[THORRR]

All good advice in this thread -

One little extra that helped me at GC once was getting the best sale price, plus a weekend sale coupon, and THEN calling their order line on the phone and ordering it that way.

I got a Brandy-assed new-in-box Markbass Littlemark III 800w head for only $540, with free shipping, and no tax! I ordered it on a Saturday and got it delivered Tuesday. Pretty sweet deal.

The phone people on the order line were enthusiastic to negotiate a deal and had the authority to do it.

 

[P. Aaron]

Best negotiating tactic at GC? Cash.

 

[Yerf Dog]

exploit the holes in their website when they pop up. lol

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