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Odd Guitar Center Experience (Sire Marcus Miller Content)
- Thread starter selowitch
- Start date
Guitar Center's used stuff is actually generally priced very competitively. They buy low and sell low. Occasionally however a salesperson will buy an item they are not familiar with for a stupidly high price. That's why you sometimes see a $350 SX bass or a G&L Tribute priced like an American model.
Plenty of reasons to bitch about GC. Price gouging isn't one of them.
pablomigraine
Commercial User
Former GC GM and DM here.
Which location?
If it's up for $600, either the Store Manager or Assistant Manager screwed up when they took it in, probably for somewhere around $375-400 (based on the tag price).
People have always complained about GC, but its far worse now than its ever been since their creditors / investors took over. Many, if not most of the longer term management has been laid off and replaced with kids. The pimple-faced know-nothings everyone complains about are now running the stores, not just the accessory counter. The kid who replaced me as GM was 22 I think and getting less than half my old salary.
You need to seek out the store manager. If he's one of the new crew, they'll hold on to that bass, at or near that price literally forever before losing money on the deal. Best you can possibly hope for is an old school manager who can be reasonably educated on the error they made and convinced to sell the bass for right about their cost. Nearly all locations will have a GC garage tech there qualified to fix or replace the nut.
I wouldn't be surprised if they hold it at that price. They're running that company by the hard-line retail playbook these days, and they have to in order to keep the ship afloat.
Which location?
If it's up for $600, either the Store Manager or Assistant Manager screwed up when they took it in, probably for somewhere around $375-400 (based on the tag price).
People have always complained about GC, but its far worse now than its ever been since their creditors / investors took over. Many, if not most of the longer term management has been laid off and replaced with kids. The pimple-faced know-nothings everyone complains about are now running the stores, not just the accessory counter. The kid who replaced me as GM was 22 I think and getting less than half my old salary.
You need to seek out the store manager. If he's one of the new crew, they'll hold on to that bass, at or near that price literally forever before losing money on the deal. Best you can possibly hope for is an old school manager who can be reasonably educated on the error they made and convinced to sell the bass for right about their cost. Nearly all locations will have a GC garage tech there qualified to fix or replace the nut.
I wouldn't be surprised if they hold it at that price. They're running that company by the hard-line retail playbook these days, and they have to in order to keep the ship afloat.
So in your opinion is the ship sinking? I know the rumor mill has been saying GC is closing its doors for good over the last couple of years. Personally I would be a bit bummed because I have gotten good deals from them in the past and hate to see that happen. I just don't go to the wannabes for any advice or opinions, I just do my homework and go in knowing what I'm looking for in advance.
Rockville, MD. Thank you for the valuable insider perspective! Maybe I'll just order a new one.
pablomigraine
Commercial User
If you're available tomorrow I can meet you there, happy to help if I can. It's familiar territory for me and the right lingo and some name-dropping often goes a long way with the new breed of store managers. PM me if you're interested.
If I was the manager at GC, I would take your words under advisement, walk over to the computer, look up the new price of the bass, put it in my cart, calculate shipping (used a Florida zip code since I used to have one), print out the costs and let you know why I stood firm at the price tag.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] $599.00 $599.00
Cart Totals
Subtotal $599.00
Shipping
Total $660.64 / $727.57 / $778.53
Cart Totals
Subtotal $599.00
Shipping
- 2nd Day Air (UPS): $179.53
- Ground (UPS): $61.64
- 3 Day Select (UPS): $128.57
Total $660.64 / $727.57 / $778.53
That's absolutely fine with me. He has no obligation to meet my price.If I was the manager at GC, I would take your words under advisement, walk over to the computer, look up the new price of the bass, put it in my cart, calculate shipping (used a Florida zip code since I used to have one), print out the costs and let you know why I stood firm at the price tag.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] $599.00 $599.00
Cart Totals
Subtotal $599.00
Shipping
Calculate Shipping
- 2nd Day Air (UPS): $179.53
- Ground (UPS): $61.64
- 3 Day Select (UPS): $128.57
Total $660.64 / $727.57 / $778.53
I should point out that it's a used bass with no warranty. It's not fair to consider shipping as I will not need it for this bass. And the nut needs replacing.
Now that I mention it, I don't know what warranty is offered with Sire basses, if any ... perhaps 30 days, return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer?
True, this is exactly what a manager who knows how to deal would do. And you might find some sucker who would fall for it. Shipping should not enter into the equation. It is used, and needs a repair. Also, does it include a gig bag. That's a minimum of $20+. Guitars are like cars. As soon as they leave the lot, there is depreciation.If I was the manager at GC, I would take your words under advisement, walk over to the computer, look up the new price of the bass, put it in my cart, calculate shipping (used a Florida zip code since I used to have one), print out the costs and let you know why I stood firm at the price tag.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] $599.00 $599.00
Cart Totals
Subtotal $599.00
Shipping
Calculate Shipping
- 2nd Day Air (UPS): $179.53
- Ground (UPS): $61.64
- 3 Day Select (UPS): $128.57
Total $660.64 / $727.57 / $778.53
I really hate to side with GC on anything, but if the bass is as good as everyone says it is
then the store owner should try to sell it based on the relative value of how well it performs
against every other bass in his store. Most customers don't bother to reserarch instrument
costs before buying. The seller is under no obligation to educate his customers against his
own best interests.
I really don't see anything odd about this experience except for basses being on the sales
floor which aren't for sale.
then the store owner should try to sell it based on the relative value of how well it performs
against every other bass in his store. Most customers don't bother to reserarch instrument
costs before buying. The seller is under no obligation to educate his customers against his
own best interests.
I really don't see anything odd about this experience except for basses being on the sales
floor which aren't for sale.
Good luck with it. I've personally never had trouble wrangling a gig bag with any guitar over £400, most shops in the UK seem to be happy to sell anything at all these days now Thomann and the like are taking all their business - at least the low-end stuff.
Sire may only be online, but shipping should not be included in a second hand price. The original purchaser paid the shipping because they wanted the guitar, it's not a factor on the resale when shipping is not involved.
Sire may only be online, but shipping should not be included in a second hand price. The original purchaser paid the shipping because they wanted the guitar, it's not a factor on the resale when shipping is not involved.
Saying that the new price is 599- is not true because shipping adds an additional 61.64 to 179.53 to the overall cost.
The other thing to figure in is that with GC, a person is able to walk out the door with the bass in hand today. There is no waiting over 10 days (from time of this post) to receive their bass.
In the end, 599- for a used "bass that plays better than a 1500- bass" (based on words used by Sire owners) is a very realistic price.
Again, these would be what I would point out to the "a new one is cheaper" argument if I were the manager of the GC.
The other thing to figure in is that with GC, a person is able to walk out the door with the bass in hand today. There is no waiting over 10 days (from time of this post) to receive their bass.
In the end, 599- for a used "bass that plays better than a 1500- bass" (based on words used by Sire owners) is a very realistic price.
Again, these would be what I would point out to the "a new one is cheaper" argument if I were the manager of the GC.
I'm surprised there's still shock at the "odd" guitar center experience. Mine is filled with kids that are collecting a paycheck while they go from high school to college. And I love the part about expecting a deal. They don't give deals cause they know some 14 year old is going to see the bass Marcus Miller plays
My local GC has some twenty-five year old running it too. This is tricky territory because a young person might really be a great manager, but getting rid of experienced management is not good.
