I'm officially boycotting Guitar Center

[Hopkins]

I go to guitar center just to try out stuff... sometimes buy cables and things like that. I know the guitars aren't set up the best but it gives me a feel for the body/neck. I then go online and order from American Musical for a fraction of the price. Tax free. Free shipping. I did this just the other day before buying my SR1405E. I went in the store to compare the string spacing of an SR1605 and BTB1605. When I told the kid I was done, he said 'Which one do you want'. I told him I'll be getting the SR1405. He started walking towards the counter... I had to stop him and quite loudly say "No, no, no... I don't buy guitars from you guys. They are overpriced, technically in 'used' condition, and poorly set up. I'll order from American Musical Supply where i'll get an unused instrument, tax and shipping free for probably 10-20% less than you have it marked."

They didn't hesitate to ban me from the store for "trying to take business away from them". Like someone said earlier. I'll go back and they'll have a new crew working there in no time. This 'ban' should only last a few weeks. Thats ok. Besides. I'm in Phoenix. More than enough music stores here. GC just happens to be 2 miles away from my house. Just bought a new $1250 bass... The missus won't let me buy again until this one is paid off anyway.

You, and people like you are the reason that GC employees tend to ignore customers. Walking around like you are entitled to do whatever you wish, using their inventory to test stuff, then to smugly rub it in their face that you wont be buying from them, even though they will match the price of any online retailer, and 99% of the time will go in the back and get a brand new instrument still in the box so you don't have to take home the display model. And on the rare occasion the display model is the only one they have in stock, they will let you take it home, order a new one, and let you exchange it when it comes in. But you are to good to buy from them

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I think the point is, they are franchise operations, so the character of a particular store is dependent on who is running that particular store. The turnover rate on employees is very high, no doubt due to low pay and no benefits, which is in part how they keep their prices so low. If you want well informed, knowledgeable service, go to an independently run store with long-term employees who are paid enough to give a shite what you need. Of course, that means the prices will be higher. The current U.S. economic trend in microcosm!

 

[cv115505]

You, and people like you are the reason that GC employees tend to ignore customers. Walking around like you are entitled to do whatever you wish, using their inventory to test stuff, then to smugly rub it in their face that you wont be buying from them, even though they will match the price of any online retailer, and 99% of the time will go in the back and get a brand new instrument still in the box so you don't have to take home the display model. And on the rare occasion the display model is the only one they have in stock, they will let you take it home, order a new one, and let you exchange it when it comes in. But you are to good to buy from them

I seldom have a problem with the store itself, but they do have a Wal-Mart effect on the small music stores that is undeniable. Some people do not care about this and see it as the free market at work. I don't see it that way. I have bought things from Guitar Center because I don't believe in going into a store just to molest instruments. If I go in there and try stuff out, I buy something... a pedal, a t-shirt, strap, etc. I have bought a couple instruments from their used inventory as well. All that aside, I refrain from making big purchases there just because I feel they try to muscle out local stores with their promotions.

 

[Hopkins]

Of course I dont buy every thing I try out at GC, I am usually in there buying a small ticket item or two and mess around on one of their instruments, but I generally am buying something. I have gone in the store to kill time on my lunch break without buying anything. But I have never used their inventory to test a piece of gear just to buy it elsewhere, and even if I did, I wouldnt rub it in the face of some sales guy who lives off comession that I was going to buy it online and that he basically wasted his time helping me. Thats beyond rude. When I was in the market for an acoustic, and settled on the one I wanted, I bought it from the place that was good enough to let me test out their gear before hand.

 

[BassGoblin]

You, and people like you are the reason that GC employees tend to ignore customers. Walking around like you are entitled to do whatever you wish, using their inventory to test stuff, then to smugly rub it in their face that you wont be buying from them, even though they will match the price of any online retailer, and 99% of the time will go in the back and get a brand new instrument still in the box so you don't have to take home the display model. And on the rare occasion the display model is the only one they have in stock, they will let you take it home, order a new one, and let you exchange it when it comes in. But you are to good to buy from them

Interesting. They wouldn't price-match American Musical when I bought my Zoom B3. They offered me 125$ for my ESP LTD EC1000 when they had one on the wall used right next to me in crappy condition for 575$. They offered me $400 for my ESP KH-2 which retails at $3000. They are in fact a rip off and I believe Hopkins is a butthurt employee of GC. I've got friends that work at GC in Albany NY, and their markup on guitars is 100%. Yes. They purchase their guitars from MOST manufacturers at 50% of what they charge the customer.

And no, I am not the reason employees tend to ignore customers. The employees ignore customers because the employees are generally idiots. They are there to make a paycheck. I purchase small items from them. I have offered to buy some guitars at what I thought they were worth - used, because what I pulled off the wall was clearly used. They always say no. That is not my problem.

So saying people like me are the problem... Well guess what? People like me aren't the problem. The problem is their business model and nothing else.

 

[Hopkins]

Interesting. They wouldn't price-match American Musical when I bought my Zoom B3. They offered me 125$ for my ESP LTD EC1000 when they had one on the wall used right next to me in crappy condition for 575$. They offered me $400 for my ESP KH-2 which retails at $3000. They are in fact a rip off and I believe Hopkins is a butthurt employee of GC. I've got friends that work at GC in Albany NY, and their markup on guitars is 100%. Yes. They purchase their guitars from MOST manufacturers at 50% of what they charge the customer.

And no, I am not the reason employees tend to ignore customers. The employees ignore customers because the employees are generally idiots. They are there to make a paycheck. I purchase small items from them. I have offered to buy some guitars at what I thought they were worth - used, because what I pulled off the wall was clearly used. They always say no. That is not my problem.

So saying people like me are the problem... Well guess what? People like me aren't the problem. The problem is their business model and nothing else.

I am not a butt hurt employee of GC, I have and never will work for them. If anyone is butt hurt its yourself. You expect them to give you retail on a used gear trade in? If you don't like the price sell it yourself for the price you think its worth. You aren't forced to sell anything to GC at the price they offer. And you are straight up lying about them not matching prices, or there were circumstances that you are leaving out, like the AMS price was for a scratch and dent, or open box item, and not new. Besides their prices are pretty much always the same as any other retailer, including AMS, unless its a promotional, or sale item.

 

[mpdd]

it is fine for wasting time, but it's so much easier for me to just handle everything via the internet

 

[wisconsindead]

While I'm not crazy about GC, I do get a random assortment of supplies from there.

Either way, the expectation which many of us hold that every guitar center employee should be able to answer every random detailed question that we have is absurd. Its just not possible. Thats only possible for a small "mom and pop" shop with few employees. So while I've been frustrated with them sometimes I try to stay realistic about how impossible it would be to hire a few thousand employees across the nation for which all of them have extensive knowledge about drums, bass, keys, guitar, amps, straps, acoustics, electronics, pedals blah blah blah. They're not a great business and its obvious if you look at the fact that they are in debt. But they still provide a beneficial service to me (large assortment of supplies, 30-day money back guarantee, amps and basses to try out).

My biggest complaint is they don't carry Guild!

 

[BassGoblin]

I am not a butt hurt employee of GC, I have and never will work for them. If anyone is butt hurt its yourself. You expect them to give you retail on a used gear trade in? If you don't like the price sell it yourself for the price you think its worth. You aren't forced to sell anything to GC at the price they offer. And you are straight up lying about them not matching prices, or there were circumstances that you are leaving out, like the AMS price was for a scratch and dent, or open box item, and not new. Besides their prices are pretty much always the same as any other retailer, including AMS, unless its a promotional, or sale item.

I never said I expected retail price for my used guitar. I do not expect them to give me 125 for a guitar that they will literally take out of my hands, and throw up on the wall without touching and mark it up to nearly 600$. Lets face it. GC is a very bad company to buy gear from and that is why I usually do not do it.

 

[SteveV74]

I too am no stranger to boycotting GC..I used to live in connecticut, there are 2 stores out there that I have been to, I have had bad experiences in both, now I live about a half hr outside Wichita KS, went to the GC out here, same thing...they are all horrible, unfortunately the local little guy is expensive,and my only other option is online...at least I dont need to getstrings there anymore, I have discovered bassstringsonline.com, I believe the owner is a TBer, friendly quick service, I would reccomend them to anyone here.

 

[Hopkins]

I never said I expected retail price for my used guitar. I do not expect them to give me 125 for a guitar that they will literally take out of my hands, and throw up on the wall without touching and mark it up to nearly 600$. Lets face it. GC is a very bad company to buy gear from and that is why I usually do not do it.

Then don't sell them your gear, it really is that simple. As far as buying gear, they have gear at a price that I don't disagree with. I give them money, I walk out with said gear and don't have to wait for shipping, and I have a full month to figure out if I want to keep it or not. Sounds like a perfectly good place to buy gear as far as I am concerned. All of your negative points point to the fact that you are butt hurt (your words) about the price they offered you for some of your gear. Its no different than trading in a car, or selling a car to a dealer. They will always give you thousands less than what you could get if you sold it yourself. But it is quick an easy, and some people will take a hit for quick easy trade/sell.

 

[SteveV74]

The prices at GC are average, and what they offer for used gear is just buisiness, my problem is with the service.

 

[BassGoblin]

Then don't sell them your gear, it really is that simple. As far as buying gear, they have gear at a price that I don't disagree with. I give them money, I walk out with said gear and don't have to wait for shipping, and I have a full month to figure out if I want to keep it or not. Sounds like a perfectly good place to buy gear as far as I am concerned. All of your negative points point to the fact that you are butt hurt (your words) about the price they offered you for some of your gear. Its no different than trading in a car, or selling a car to a dealer. They will always give you thousands less than what you could get if you sold it yourself. But it is quick an easy, and some people will take a hit for quick easy trade/sell.

You are more than welcome to give them your hard earned money. You're lucky you haven' had to deal with their service yet.

 

[cv115505]

I would never buy a new instrument from them... I do not know for sure, but it seems like they make no discernment between B-stock in their pricing. I always find dents and dings in stuff there and they will not mark the price down. I looked at a Fender AVRI Jazz (the new Lake Placid Blue with matched headstock deal) it had a ding down to the bare wood about the size of a nickel. I asked if they had one in the back, and they said no. They also said that if they ordered me a new one it'd take about 6 months. I asked if they could mark the price down due to the damage. They told me no and said "You'll put dents and dings in it eventually anyway." I left. I know this is not a model for how all or even most GC's conduct business, but it was bad enough to where I will never buy a new instrument at the Oklahoma City location. Also, again I have a hard time making big purchases there due to their negative impact on the mom & pops.

 

[Hopkins]

You are more than welcome to give them your hard earned money. You're lucky you haven' had to deal with their service yet.

I have dealt with their service plenty of times. I have realistic expectations so I don't get offended when something doesn't go exactly perfect. They even honored a warranty claim that was over a month past the expiration on a cab. Preaching about how terrible they are, then bragging about how you use them to try out gear, then throw that fact in the sales guys face makes you the bad guy, not them.

 

[Octavio]

I've been to GCs in California, Arizona, Vegas, Utah, NYC, and the one in/near Toledo, OH. I've never had a bad experience. I try not to talk to the kids who work there but rather try to find an older guy when I need assistance. The most bothersome part of their stores to me is the guys who think they can shred, play way too loud, and usually sound like s***.

 

[Hopkins]

I've been to GCs in California, Arizona, Vegas, Utah, NYC, and the one in/near Toledo, OH. I've never had a bad experience. I try not to talk to the kids who work there but rather try to find an older guy when I need assistance. The most bothersome part of their stores to me is the guys who think they can shred, play way too loud, and usually sound like s***.

One of the guys that work at my local GC pointed out a guy that comes in every day, and plays the same tired riffs on the same amp, and never buys anything. I couldn't imagine working there.

 

[cv115505]

Yes, for all the bad I have said, I respect anyone who works there... I couldn't handle the same 15 yr olds coming in day in and day out playing a $3k guitar through a $2k amp loud enough to shatter windows and never buying anything.... probably one of the reasons the service can be wavering... it's no excuse, but i can see the logic

 

[BassGoblin]

I have dealt with their service plenty of times. I have realistic expectations so I don't get offended when something doesn't go exactly perfect. They even honored a warranty claim that was over a month past the expiration on a cab. Preaching about how terrible they are, then bragging about how you use them to try out gear, then throw that fact in the sales guys face makes you the bad guy, not them.

Oh, I won't deny it. I'm a dick. However, I throw that out there that I can get something cheaper online to entice them to match it however... They flat out admit that they will not match it. Going in to play a few guitars/basses/amps, swinging by the sales counter and purchasing a strap, cable, some picks, and small stuff. They should be happy they get any of my business because the reality is that every single thing they have there can be found cheaper elsewhere. I just don't always want to wait for a new cable to come in the mail. Not to mention, I pick up the cables that have the lifetime warranty. They usually hassle me about exchanging it, but I usually end up walking out with a new one.

And don't pretend I'm the only one who tries out an instrument with the full intention of going home to order online for a fraction of the price. I'm just not afraid to admit it. I personally LOVE American Musical Supply for their Payment Plan. I has allowed me to get gear that normally I wouldn't have the patience to save up for. Guitar Center, does not. Lets face it, layaway isn't the same. I ordered my bass from AMS on Friday. It came in on Tuesday. So, I get to play an instrument that is normally out of my price range right away. If I got it from guitar center... It'd be a lot longer before I got to play it. Now, if they offered the bass that I played there for $999(AMS Scratch and Dent price) I would have picked it up right there on the spot. Provided they also reduced it the cost of tax. I see what they do, and unfortunately their business model is pretty bad. I do greatly appreciate them allowing me to go in and play the instruments. Hell, my amp I did pick up used at GC. It isn't like I have boycotted them.

Maybe it isn't your solution Hopkins, but it is most definitely mine. I will absolutely NEVER buy new Guitars/basses/amps from guitar center. I think the people who do, probably lack the common sense to do some research and realize they can save money by shopping elsewhere.

 

[spaz21387]

I was offended by their price I was offered on a trade in. 100$ for a Mexican fender is way too low. I ended up selling it on cl for 300$ the next day... I still like GC their prices on musicman stuff is lower than most other shops. I got a 3 band stingray for 1050 and a classic stingray for 929... if I needed another bass Id probably be back in there...