I just found a GC giveaway!!!

[Munjibunga]

Your wisdom is exemplified by the fact that you told us about it after you bought it. In spite of your selfishness, I would caution you that, if you flip it here for more, you've already blown your cover and the whiners will come out in full force laying wet blankets of guilt on you. Anyway, congratulations. It was a steal.

BTW, I don't think a lot of GC employees know what Aguilar is. Maybe they think it's like Bugera or Ampeg. I bought an AG500-112C combo for $1,049 at GC. I checked with Dave Boonshoft, and that's GC's cost.

 

[capnsandwich]

BTW, I don't think a lot of GC employees know what Aguilar is. Maybe they think it's like Bugera or Ampeg. I bought an AG500-112C combo for $1,049 at GC. I checked with Dave Boonshoft, and that's GC's cost.

WIN!!!

Munji-1

GC-0

 

[hrgiger]

I have to wonder if the cab is stolen.

Absolutely not. I spoke with the manager at my local GC one time about some used equipment they had just gotten in and they couldn't sell it until it had passed a background check, so I had to wait another 2 weeks or so. These guys are not amateurs they know full well about the theft and resale of stolen musical instrument gear, and they have nothing to do with that.

And as far as whether they know about Aguilar or not, I don't think they all do either, but I am certain they just type in the make and model into google and they learn all about it. This is 2010. Not the same as some backwoods pawn shop somewhere with some relic J bass for $50, unfortunately.

And as far as others said about 'smell me a rat' etc, give me a break. This cab is used! Not new! When people bring in a piece to trade in they get so much for it, usually to offset a new item. When they sell the said used item, they are building a rapport and reputation with the patrons. GC is a multi-multi-million dollar outfit. They won't 'make money' by charging a few hundred dollars more on one single cab, but they may make a life-long friend who will continue to shop there.

And I for the record have bought a fair amount of gear at GC with nothing but good times had by all...

 

[Munjibunga]

I've also had mostly positive experiences with GC. You have to know what you want, know how much you're willing to pay, and deal with a manager with whom you have a relationship.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

yeah i am hoping it is all okay...we will see, the screwed up thing here is that means someone took around $150.00 for a $1000.00 cab GC's in my area at least max they pay is 50%...maybe they gave him 200...like really!, so first that will happen is the jackplate will be off and a call to aguilar will be made to confirm specs and speakers...those guys really are awesome.

I did pretty good when I dumped off my Marcus Miller J a while back. For the condition it was in I could of maybe (just maybe considering how low they`ve been going for on ebay used) gotten $800 for it had I sold it myself. Instead, I traded it in for a brand new Sterling by MM Ray 34 which sells for $675 - not too bad if I do say so myself The funny thing is that I actually enjoy the Ray sooo much more than the Marcus, so even with the potential loss I personally feel like I came away from the deal with the better end of the stick.

 

[TrooperFarva]

Absolutely not. I spoke with the manager at my local GC one time about some used equipment they had just gotten in and they couldn't sell it until it had passed a background check, so I had to wait another 2 weeks or so. These guys are not amateurs they know full well about the theft and resale of stolen musical instrument gear, and they have nothing to do with that.

And as far as whether they know about Aguilar or not, I don't think they all do either, but I am certain they just type in the make and model into google and they learn all about it. This is 2010. Not the same as some backwoods pawn shop somewhere with some relic J bass for $50, unfortunately.

So if a cabinet was stolen while someone was away, and sold before they even knew it was gone, a background check is going to turn that up? Their background check doesn't cover every iteration.

And as far as others said about 'smell me a rat' etc, give me a break. This cab is used! Not new! When people bring in a piece to trade in they get so much for it, usually to offset a new item. When they sell the said used item, they are building a rapport and reputation with the patrons. GC is a multi-multi-million dollar outfit. They won't 'make money' by charging a few hundred dollars more on one single cab, but they may make a life-long friend who will continue to shop there.

And I for the record have bought a fair amount of gear at GC with nothing but good times had by all...

Actually, making money like that is their entire intention with used gear. Go trade something in at Guitar Center, then go back a few weeks later, and see your gear on display for 50-60% more than you were paid for it. Guitar Center is notorious for lowballing, because they have to make a high margin profit on every used item they sell. Otherwise, they won't buy it. The only time I inquired about a trade-in, I was offered $275 for a mint condition Fender USA Jazz. I told them no, obviously, and I sold it on here a few weeks later for about $500 more.

 

[Bmorefoozler]

It seems like GC lowballs you and the like, but you have to realize that they profit on new gear as well.
I don't mean that in the simplest sense, I mean that, in that they MUST buy used gear at prices that are appreciably less then THEY pay for new gear. Remember, they pay A LOT less then you do for new gear.
Furthermore, you should never expect as much in trade in as you could sell it on your own, as they will need to sell it for about what you can sell it on your own... and they have to pay employee's, lights, etc.

I hope the OP receives a quality product on the up and up for a great deal. It sounds like he will.

 

[lbwdog]

Isn't making money the idea behind any retail business? You can't sell something for what you paid for it and stay in business very long!

In auto sales, people will shop three different states to save $50. When they find a dealer to sell 'em a car below invoice, then they'll throw in their trade and expect retail value for it. It just can't work that way.

 

[EBBassMan]

GC is like any other business. They have to make enough money to cover their operating costs (rent/utilities/payroll/inventory/insurance/marketing/etc.) and still eke out a profit. They have to sell for a profit or they'd be out of business. That being said, there are still deals to be found and mistakes that are made....after all, the employees are still human (and musicians at that ). I managed to score my used but mint GK2001RB for $550.

 

[Bmorefoozler]

As noted previously, turning inventory and cashflow can supercede profits. If a piece has been sitting long enough, it's entirely possible they are selling used items at cost to create retail shelf space.

 

[TrooperFarva]

It seems like GC lowballs you and the like, but you have to realize that they profit on new gear as well.
I don't mean that in the simplest sense, I mean that, in that they MUST buy used gear at prices that are appreciably less then THEY pay for new gear. Remember, they pay A LOT less then you do for new gear.
Furthermore, you should never expect as much in trade in as you could sell it on your own, as they will need to sell it for about what you can sell it on your own... and they have to pay employee's, lights, etc.

You're correct. I don't blame GC for their low offers, they need to turn a profit on all the used gear that they take in. The OP said that one of the GC employees was also interested in the cabinet, so I don't think it was sitting there very long. So it seems like whoever traded it in got about $200 for it, which, to me, seems suspicious.

 

[CTbass613]

Hasn't shown up just yet, will keep you all updated when it finally arrives...anyone want to buy an aggy Cab for $500.00? haha...In response to Munji post...this just means i get to start saving for a DB750 so i can run to 4 ohm cabs!

 

[Marko 1]

So far from GC used dept I’ve gotten a P bass, a Jazz, a Fender Twin Reverb, a Fender Hot Rod Deville 410, a cymbal stand, and just recently an old GK 410 cab for $150…

all good experiences and fair prices.

I wish I’d have been hip to it longer, I could have saved a few more bucks.

 

[rappa29]

So far from GC used dept I’ve gotten a P bass, a Jazz, a Fender Twin Reverb, a Fender Hot Rod Deville 410, a cymbal stand, and just recently an old GK 410 cab for $150…

WOW ALL THAT FOR $150!! NOW THAT'S A DEAL!

Seriously though, I guess I'm just an unlucky bastich 'cos I've NEVER seen any "buy it before they realize their mistake" deals at any of my local GC's.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I find it hard to believe they were selling a perfectly functioning $1000 cab for $300. It just isn't their style. But lots of luck to ya I hope it works out to be a great deal.

That just leaves more stuff for the rest of us.


Seriously, less than a month ago I bought a couple of items form the same used section of their website and got even more ridiculous deals than the OP. Both items were like new. They charged very little for shipping and they arrived very quickly. I couldn't have had better transactions.

I realize my saying all this will likely have even more people looking at their used and clearance stuff but hey, I have enough gear already. They have a ton of stuff on there and you will likely have to wade through a bunch of okay deals to find the crazy ones but I can attest that they do indeed exist.

And if you don't like what you get, there's a return policy. Could they make it any easier? Sure... they could just give you stuff on a random basis for free.

 

[Brad Johnson]

People get rid of stuff for all sorts of reasons, particularly in this economy, and if they need money, they might take what they can get. I know tons of people who've given away gear I know they owned for peanuts. It's the nature of the beast. You can know all you want about the value of your gear, if nobody's buying, guess what it's currently worth?


My Fodera Anthony Jackson Contrabass apparenty wasn't stolen. It's even been back to the shop for some minor work. It was a GC purchase. So was my 92 MTD 635, Surine Protocol 7 and several other items. When I got my Eden D210XLT cabs years ago, they blew them out at $600 for a pair. A friend reminded me of that a couple of weeks ago.

There are great deals all over the place, it doesn't mean there's something fishy about them. Obviously I'm not saying they're all legit but I've never had an issue buying used at GC. And I know people trade stuff away every day for peanuts.

 

[Brad Johnson]

WOW ALL THAT FOR $150!! NOW THAT'S A DEAL!

Seriously though, I guess I'm just an unlucky bastich 'cos I've NEVER seen any "buy it before they realize their mistake" deals at any of my local GC's.

Here's the key: How often do you look and how knowledgable are you about gear?

 

[Brad Johnson]

You're correct. I don't blame GC for their low offers, they need to turn a profit on all the used gear that they take in. The OP said that one of the GC employees was also interested in the cabinet, so I don't think it was sitting there very long. So it seems like whoever traded it in got about $200 for it, which, to me, seems suspicious.

I'm pretty sure they have rules about employees buying used gear. IIRC it has to be on the floor for a minimum length of time.

 

[mkrtu9]

man what a steal! Hope it turns out as you expect. Congrats.

 

[Brad Johnson]

So if a cabinet was stolen while someone was away, and sold before they even knew it was gone, a background check is going to turn that up? Their background check doesn't cover every iteration.

The law here in Maryland is that they have to hold items for 30 days.

Actually, making money like that is their entire intention with used gear. Go trade something in at Guitar Center, then go back a few weeks later, and see your gear on display for 50-60% more than you were paid for it. Guitar Center is notorious for lowballing, because they have to make a high margin profit on every used item they sell. Otherwise, they won't buy it. The only time I inquired about a trade-in, I was offered $275 for a mint condition Fender USA Jazz. I told them no, obviously, and I sold it on here a few weeks later for about $500 more.

They "lowball" because they're a business and it would be stupid to do otherwise. They have to resell the item. Take into consideration EVERYTHING associated with that and it might start to not look so nefarious.

For example, I know people who've traded in gear with problems to stores and not disclose them. So what does the store end up with? Something they either have to fix ($$$'s) and/or ultimately might not be able to sell (more $$$'s) . The person trading the gear in doesn't have a satisfaction policy.


Knowing how trade-ins work, unless you're desperate, why even bother? Why not just sell outright? In your Jazz bass example, would giving you half of what you ultimately sold it for have made you happy? That's sometimes what they pay companies for new gear.

That high profit margin goes towards paying for the operating expenses too.