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Mislabeled Instruments at Guitar Center (Resolved)

#141
ajkula66 said:
That's GC's business model IME.

Every single item that I've returned as defective - notifying staff why I'm doing so as well as exactly what the defect was - went right back up for sale with the same price, pictures and description. Some of them were re-sold several times since, returned and the circle goes on...:rollno:
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That's true. I returned a non-export aerodyne to my local guitar center after bringing it home and noticing a terrible ski jump. That's a 300 dollar repair, depending on the details. On the receipt, the store person said "changed mind", and put it back into stock without any hesitation. It's that level of disinterest that makes GC used so great though, as you can really find some deals if you are willing to put in the time.
 
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#142
GC online site for used gear has always been notorious for mislabeling and mispricing gear. I remember a few years ago I browsed through dozens of listings that just seemed too good to be true. It still happens but I don't think as frequently as it used to. The ones that really make me laugh are them not knowing US models from imports and the ones that aren't even the correct brand. It doesn't surprise me they filed for bankruptcy with the mistakes they still make on a daily basis.
 
#144
selowitch said:
I'm perfectly happy with the outcome of this particular scenario. Sure, it would have been nice to get a lovely guitar for a killer price but there will be other good deals to be had down the road.
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If you have any problems, I know a guy who can help you.
800px-Robbie_Ellis_2010.jpg
 
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#146
It's actually worked to my advantage a few times.
By the same token, I've seen it go the other way; where they have something misrepresented and priced ridiculously high.
I just laugh and go on with my life....
 
#148
grimjim said:
Ever try to sell them any gear? I understand they're a business and will need to tack on a profit, but to offer pennies on the dollar is excessive.
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Nobody's forcing anyone to sell to Guitar Center. Actually, it helps me somewhat. I have made more good deals in the parking lot of GC than anywhere else.
 
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#150
selowitch said:
Every so often I come across mislabeled instruments on Guitar Center’s used site that are worth more than their price suggests. A few questions come to mind:
  1. If I want to buy such an item, should I call the store first to confirm what I’m buying?
  2. Is there anything ethically wrong with pulling the trigger and simply checking out?
  3. What is Guitar Center's obligation to me if I should buy it but they realize their mistake before shipping?
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For What it is worth here, I have made three purchases from GC this last year. First one was a Gibson 335 s (the solid body) The guitar was stamped “Second” on the back of the headstock, and one of the case latches was broken. None of this was mentioned in the listing as it should have been. Sent them a message, never heard back. Later on I bought an SVT 4BH, later a SVT 610hlf. In both of the later cases I contacted the selling location to be SURE that the item pictured was actually what was being offered for sale. Also inquired about shipping costs on those items, as they are fairly heavy. The later deals worked out really well. I believe each location has management people who determine condition and price, and some time that varies. So do as you please here, but if you see something that they have for sale inquire before your purchase with any concerns. This way everyone is honest and reasonably protected. Musicians (unlike other people) should always treat other people like they want to be treated. Bad “Karma” here will always come back to haunt you at some point. Sorry, been doing this over 35 years, have been on both sides of the “coin” more than a few times.Just some advice.
 
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#151
DuluthDank said:
That's true. I returned a non-export aerodyne to my local guitar center after bringing it home and noticing a terrible ski jump. That's a 300 dollar repair, depending on the details. On the receipt, the store person said "changed mind", and put it back into stock without any hesitation. It's that level of disinterest that makes GC used so great though, as you can really find some deals if you are willing to put in the time.
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That's happened twice to me. Both times I returned the items and they entered the reason as defective so I received a refund on the shipping.

Also, I don't know what UPS has against GC, but the abuse their packages go through getting to the store is crazy. I ordered a Genz Benz Focus 410 cab (60 lbs) and a Yorkville 210 combo (80 lbs.) and both times the boxes looked like they had been thrown off of a train. The Yorkie survived with only a slightly bent heatsink fin so I kept it.

Sadly the Genz, being a lightweight cab, was badly damaged with the side of the cab split so I returned it and it went back up with original photos and description.
 
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#154
Fwiw, I've ordered several things hoping they'd be what I hoped they were. They weren't, I got the purchase price and shipping back, but the last time I did it, they gave me a very hard time about the shipping and warned me they couldn't refund shipping if I continued buying stuff that was listed incorrectly. I've _heard_ that they eventually refuse to refund the purchase price, but I'm not sure I believe it. I quit taking chances because it was such a PITA, and never paid off.

I think they are pricing things much more realistically, which actually sucks. I haven't seen an actual good deal in a long time. The lower priced stuff I've bought has been damaged badly, so actually overpriced.
 
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#155
I've not come across any with wrong prices per say (at least nothing that I have seen that is overly out or under a decent price) - what I have noticed often is they put wrong pictures on listings. May be for like say a Peavey 2x15 but the picture is a 2x12 Marshall guitar cabinet.
 
#156
CyberSnyder said:
I don't usually hit going out of business sales, but I think the last one I went to was for MARS (kinda miss them). Prices were actually higher than before the going out of business sale, but were flying out the door as people were paying 40% off prices that were doubled.
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True. When Circuity City, the Wiz, Tower Records, etc. went out of business and the store is pasted with GOING OUT OF BUSINESS EVERYTHING MUST GO signs, you had to hope and pray that the item you wanted to get for a song was still on the shelf 3 months after they announced they would be closing to get that steal at a low low low price.
 
#157
KJMO said:
Fwiw, I've ordered several things hoping they'd be what I hoped they were. They weren't, I got the purchase price and shipping back, but the last time I did it, they gave me a very hard time about the shipping and warned me they couldn't refund shipping if I continued buying stuff that was listed incorrectly. I've _heard_ that they eventually refuse to refund the purchase price, but I'm not sure I believe it. I quit taking chances because it was such a PITA, and never paid off.

I think they are pricing things much more realistically, which actually sucks. I haven't seen an actual good deal in a long time. The lower priced stuff I've bought has been damaged badly, so actually overpriced.
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GC has been burned by enthusiastic local employees overvaluing equipment, so anything vintage or too unusual to be on the schedule has to priced by corporate. So there won’t be nearly as many accidental bargains.
 
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#158
Once found an Ashdown CTM 100 tube head pictured in a Musician's Friend ad for an open-box 330 Spyder head -- super cheap (for the CTM 100, that is).
Ordered it, crossed my fingers.
The Spyder arrived -- oh well.
Called customer service just to rub their photo mistake in their faces, which they confirmed and acknowledged.
Ended up returning the head for refund; it was in fact an ad for a Spyder with a wrong pic, so not much ground for creating a real issue out of it ... and besides, I knew it was a crap shoot.
Can't blame a guy for trying.
 
#159
selowitch said:
I wonder if the hang-tag in the store reflects the error in the listing.
We're talking about an item I just bought for $850 that is worth twice that—and which would normally sell at GC for that higher price.
The title of the listing is just completely off.
Perhaps the thing to do is simply keep my mouth shut and see what comes in the mail. I may just get very lucky here.

If I'm the employee processing the order, do I say something to my manager or do I just pack the thing up and send it out like a good little soldier?

If the item number points to a different hang-tag in the store than the item I want, then I assume the jig is up.
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Sounds interesting. Usually GC is doing the "ripping off" , not vice-versa.
I'm curious to see what you get.. and in what condition.

T$
 
#160
selowitch said:
I could see them going to fulfill the order and realizing they have an obviously mislabeled item (wrong brand, wrong model, worth twice what I paid easily) and decide to invalidate the sale.

I decided to pull the trigger just now anyway. Worst thing that happens is I don't get the guitar and I get my money back, right?
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That is correct. Hopefully, you had it shipped to a store. If so, you can refuse it right there and then. If not, you still have the right to return the item.
 

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