My recent encounter at GC

[Staccato]

Screwdriver happy nin com poop.

"Uhg, listen Skippy, you haven't paid me the $1K for that bass, yet. Hand me the cash before you start with the dismantling!!!"

 

[dalkowski]

I'm liking this - a Presumptuous Richard. Well done!

Thanks man. I sling English for a living (such as it is).

 

[RissKippery]

Your first mistake was going into guitar center.

 

[KJMO]

I've sworn off GC several times, but I needed an Arturia controller immediately, so I had to. I had two keyboards I wanted to see what they would give me. One they tested super thoroughly and wouldn't take, and the other (korg microkey air 49) they offered $40, which I didn't take . They told me what they were going for on eBay (not true), but I didn't expect different.
I asked for 15% off, and he said no way. I asked for a set of strings, he said no way and I told him I could easily get a set of strings worth off on Musicians Friend, but he did not relent.
The kicker is he added a protection plan without asking, but told me when he handed me the receipt (Oh, I added that thing). I didn't know what he was talking about, but saw what it was when I got home. So kind of my fault, but I'm going to try to plan better so I don't have to go there in the future.

 

[Surely_Bassy]

Ok, remind me not to let you handle any of my stuff.

Now what a proper person, brought up in a place where meddling with other people's belongings leads to trouble, would have said is "Sir, in order to inspect this properly, I'm going to need to remove the neck. OK?"

Then if OP said no, the employee says "well, then, I can't give you an estimate. Have a nice day" and if the OP said yes, then the employee removes the neck. That's what would happen in a properly run business staffed by properly-brought-up people. Where I'm from, the employee's behavior could easily lead to fisticuffs.

To be fair, though, you were born on Fisticuffs Island.

 

[BAG]

May I join in? I'm spitting distance from Nashua.

I have no idea where Nashua is...... but I do know that Nashua Gaffer Tape is the best in the world!

 

[dalkowski]

I have no idea where Nashua is...... but I do know that Nashua Gaffer Tape is the best in the world!

All you need to know:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua,_New_Hampshire

 

[GodsLove66]

I would NEVER sell to GC!!! That said, Guitar Center here in ALASKA??? BUYER'S PARADISE!!!! We have a CRAP instrument resell market here! I was able to snag a 1972 Les Paul Triumph bass for, wait for it, $850!!!! I once brought my Fender Starcaster in to trade....for the price they offered, I ABSOLUTELY had to pass on that!

 

[ColdEye]

The GC here always tells you to just sell it elsewhere lol.

 

[thewildest]

I have a friend that turned 40 and went for his once-a-year checkup, and at some point during the process ended having a “surprising” prostate exam. Sudden. Impactful. The exact sequence of events is ultra-funny but I think leaving this to imagination would be even more.

Someone disassembling any part of any property of mine without my consent would have amounted to the same instantaneous aggravation my pal felt during his exam.

 

[cmcbass]

If I'm trying to sell something, I'll typically bring it to my local GC or Music-go-round after a month or so on craigslist. Never had anyone attempt to take apart an item I've brought in. That's just inappropriate without asking.

I've gotten some absurdly low offers though. Music-go-round offered me $90 for a GK cx410 cab I was trying to sell. Took it over to GC and they gave me $280. GC is very hit or miss.

 

[the harp unstrung]

The strings were completely slack after he tightened the neck screws and he tried to hand it to me. I had to demand him to return it to the condition it was in when he ran off with it.[/QUOTE]

I might’ve gone all Karen.

 

[the harp unstrung]

I, my own personal self, have never had an interaction with, or at the GC that was Anything but satisfying.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Communication breakdown, it's always the same...

 

[happygilmour]

So, what did they offer you?

 

[Jesuguru]

Guy's dismantling *without permission first* is plain wrong, flat out, full stop.

That said, guess I'll be the (minor) GC contrarian... Bought a used semi-boutiquey bass online for about $1500 in good condition but a couple dings. Decided after a while it wasn't for me, tried to sell on Reverb and TB but no serious bids close to asking (just lowballs and junk trade offers). Eventually took it to a local GC (Falls Church VA) hoping for decent pennies on the dollar. Guy looked it over, plugged it in, and checked manufacturer's website and eBay at typical new/used prices - as he should. "Sorry about this, but I can only offer $1400." Ran out with that check so fast......

It's not just the store, it's the guy. If you find a reasonable one, stick with them (and get their card if they have one).

 

[Greenstreet]

Two fingers is right.

 

[Mr. Jiggy Fly]

First, let me say that I understand your frustration if this was unexpected and I apologize that the tech seems to have been less clear about how he would go about evaluating the bass. I would also be annoyed if someone was dismantling my bass without me knowing.

But to play devils advocate:

For clarification, were you in the process of receiving an offer for the bass? I have two concerns with the wording in this post:
- were you requesting an evaluation / offer on the bass or simply asking a sales associate if GC might buy it? An official offer requires the store’s regional intake folks (offsite) to identify the instrument and clear it for sale ie make sure the serial isn’t listed as stolen. Was the serial visible? Did you clearly identify it as a parts bass? I mean this with respect and curiosity - I work as the bass instructor at my Guitar Center and I’m familiar with the intake process, he would only remove the neck if you were waiting for a purchase offer and had gotten to the verification process , at which point that kind of action is pretty normal especially for something that isn’t a typical make and model

- anything vintage or in the process of being cleared for an offer is evaluated with the customer’s approval. Did you consent to having the instrument reviewed? While not contractual, there is a due diligence agreement between both parties if the discussion has reached that point. Suppose you leave an instrument with the tech to have it set up, action adjusted and pots checked etc. and he discovers a neck angle issue. Then he fixes it for you by removing excess sawdust and an ID sticker that was left on accidentally at the factory, essentially acting as a mild shim. That work wouldn’t be explicitly included in the general setup service but it would still improve the overall setup and prevent you from having future issues that incorrect shimming can cause. Would you be upset that he removed the neck instead of simply adjusting the action and setting intonation like you asked? Some people would , i get that, but i personally would be stoked to learn that he fixed an unforeseen (to me) issue.

I get that it was startling and not the best communication from the tech, but I don’t want you to think all guitar centers are like that and run by idiots. I suspect there was a communication error or something was lost in translation , and i hope you know that many of the instructors , techs, and managers at GC really do try to do what they can to get the customer a good price and pleasant experience (sales people that’s a different story). And yes, it is generally in your favor to sell privately , I’m quite amazed at what some people are willing to accept offer wise.

have a great day,
Adam Stewart - Instructor, GC Tacoma

 

[james condino]

10,000 threads about other people's bad experiences at GC and yet some folks still run to them every day and then act surprised by what happens.....

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Cool story bro...

Well thought-out, insightful, informative and useful comment, "bro".