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I'm officially boycotting Guitar Center

#41
Unless you amp has a dedicated set, rack ears are hard to find, even on the internet. I've scoured through websites of companies that make huge rack systems for everything you need to rule the word all the way down to ebay. Sometimes you have to fabricate them The few generic ones I have managed to come across at places like Sweetwater, etc., are made of metal so thin, there're practically useless.
 
#42
Again, it is their policy to price match. Scratch and dent prices obviously dont apply. I bought my Breedlove Stage Dreadnaught from GC for the same price as AMS or any other online retailer, and I got to play it first. Paying sales tax was worth not having to wait on the guitar to ship, and avoiding any shipping hassles like a damaged or lost package.
 
#44
Hopkins said:
Again, it is their policy to price match. Scratch and dent prices obviously dont apply. I bought my Breedlove Stage Dreadnaught from GC for the same price as AMS or any other online retailer, and I got to play it first. Paying sales tax was worth not having to wait on the guitar to ship, and avoiding any shipping hassles like a damaged or lost package.
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That is where you and I differ. I am patient. Some aren't. If you're willing to pay them due to your impatience, be my guest. The truth is literally everything on GC's walls qualifies to AMS's scratch and dent standards.
 
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#45
Gilmourisgod said:
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!
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So yeah, Guitar Center is NOT a franchise.
 
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#48
Robus said:
I miss paying list at the mom and pop places. And 15 bucks for guitar strings.
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lol I hear you those good ole mom and pops in my area back in the day would laugh if you asked for a deal because they knew the only other options you had were the pawnshops or somebody's cousin getting rid of their old gear also GC hires local people who pay local taxes along with the taxes GC pays.
 
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#49
BassGoblin said:
That is where you and I differ. I am patient. Some aren't. If you're willing to pay them due to your impatience, be my guest. The truth is literally everything on GC's walls qualifies to AMS's scratch and dent standards.
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For the 32nd time, They will go to the back in the WAREHOUSE, and get the same item BRAND NEW IN A BOX and sell you that one instead. If they don't have it they will order it, and let you take the display model home and swap it out when the new one gets there. I have done this before. Besides you are grossly exaggerating the deplorable conditions of the display model guitars at GC. Sure a few of them have a ding or two, but the vast majority are in new condition. You are complaining about the condition of the display items, but I guarantee that if they had no items to display you would complain even louder.

Again, the GC price is the SAME as the AMS price. Sales tax is not that big of a deal, and there are no worries about shipping, and your comment about being patient is laughable after reading your posts.
 
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#50
BassGoblin said:
That is where you and I differ. I am patient. Some aren't. If you're willing to pay them due to your impatience, be my guest. The truth is literally everything on GC's walls qualifies to AMS's scratch and dent standards.
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Worst generalization I've ever heard. Unless you have visited every GC, you cannot make this blanket statement. I just purchased a new Ibanez bass at my local GC. It was on display, and I can assure you, it does not meet the definition of scratch and dent. It is completely flawless, in out-of-the-box new condition. And believe me, I am picky and I looked it over for ANY imperfections before handing over my cash.
 
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#52
I myself have not set foot in a G.C. store in 7 or 8 years. I have tried, honestly tried to trade with them in days past, but I draw the line at having to WORK and try to cajole them into actually taking my $$$. I am not a window shopper,whanker or time waster.I go in knowing what I want, and am ready to purchase it right now. But it seems inconvenient for them to take time to exchange a product that I see right there in the store for my money. Ridiculous.
I prefer to spend my money at a place that actually appreciates my business. Or at least is willing to pretend as such.
 
#56
Hopkins said:
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 :rolleyes:
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Hear hear.

If you want to boycott GC, do so, but don't use them, or any other retail store, in that way.
 
#57
I've been to the Allentown, PA GC a handful of times now, and I always get greeted promptly. I have sales guys respectfully ask to help, do their best to answer my inane questions, and always with a smile.

The comparision to Home Depot seems apt.. A constant parade of customers who expect you to know everything about everything in all departments and get angry when you don't, a steady supply of wannabe rockstars who beat on equipment, and bizarre demands from corporate will wear anyone down..

I'm sure there's plenty of guys who know nothing in the local shops, but I suspect many more of them start out well intentioned and get ground down by the day to day and end up salty.

But, the guys in my local shop are pleasant and willing to try to answer my questions. What more can I ask for? Besides more bass gear, that is...
 
#58
TMARK said:
The New York and LA stores are aweful. Richmond VA store is fantastic.
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Really? You should check out the one in Las Vegas, very much on point compared to the one in Richmond. Although Richmond isn't bad, the Vegas store had low pressure but helpful staff and all the basses had fantastic set ups, plus it was very clean. The guys in Richmond are really helpful though, but you can feel the pressure they are under to sell. They don't unload too much on you, but you feel it.
 
#59
Yeah the guitar center employees seem like they are generally a bunch of Dbags at least the ones in Sacramento. The younger guys seem Ok, but the older ones seem to have no time or patience. There's a guy named Mike at the Arden Guitar Center and that guy is a dick hole. He actually took a guitar cable I was using and playing through to go show someone something. Keep in mind, i am not one of those guys that plays super loud and obnoxiously... Then I'd understand but I was just minding my own business and he walked up and grabbed the cable and walked off. Hate that guy so much. Any time he walks up and asks if I need help I tell him I'll ask someone else. I'll freak out if he pulls that crap with the cable again though.
 
#60
I travel for work a lot, and guitar centers have always been great places to go and practice and pick up numerous small items I need. Sometimes you'll meet a cool employee who will jam with you and shoot the s---. I would never buy anything new from them only because I'm not in the market for what they're selling. But if there are used items that I'm interested in I'll definitely consider them. All the complaints voiced here I agree with but I only boycott a business specifically if I am philosophically or morally opposed to what it is.
 

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