I'm actually quite happy with the staff and manager at my local GC. My only complaint is that their selection is mostly skewed to the low end to mid grade, especially on basses. But that's just because they know the local market. The smaller stores in the area have the same range of offerings, typically at higher prices with smaller selection. If I want to try out higher end gear hands on, I can drive up the road to Dallas or Austin.
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positive GC stories, please
- Thread starter pcake
- Start date
Have had this happen at times, and yes, it is annoying. Seems like around here, a while back, they were doing a big push on those things. I’m guessing corporate or regional management was trying to squeeze out more cash, and so requiring sales folks to get through the entire spiel on every transaction. (Had someone ask me about the protection plan on a $5 cable one time.) More often than not, though, they sound pretty unenthusiastic, as if they are just saying the lines out of obligation. It was an annoying period, but I didn’t really begrudge them doing what they gotta do to keep on the right side of the boss.
And I figure if I’m saving money, I’m gonna pay for it somehow...
That’s funny that they tried to sell you a replacement plan on a cable. Especially when their Live Wire brand cable is lifetime replacement. All you have to do is bring in the dead cable and your receipt. They will test it and if it’s bad swap it out on the spot.
This is the kind of experience I have. I go a lot more than you but rarely buy anything. Twice a month i check my local pawn shops and GC for used gear.
The guys and gals at GC always remember me and will go out of their way to come say hello. I appreciate that.
From everything I've been told, GC is not doing so well.
In know my local store is in danger of being shut down. Being the only store in town where I can just go buy supplies like strings and wires I'd really hate to see them close.
It's an online world these days and if we want brick and mortar store to stay, we have to shop them.
In know my local store is in danger of being shut down. Being the only store in town where I can just go buy supplies like strings and wires I'd really hate to see them close.
It's an online world these days and if we want brick and mortar store to stay, we have to shop them.
Totally—I mentioned that to the guy when he said it, and he said something along the lines of “oh, yeah...well...we’re supposed to ask...” and sort of trailed off, embarrassed.
I don't understand the GC hate, it is exactly what it is: A big box store with a high turnover rate of equipment (and people) meant to appeal to the broadest possible base.
My local staff has always been friendly, I was on a first name basis with a couple of the kids there and routinely asked, and bought, from them.
I've bought countless things sight unseen knowing full well if I didn't like it I could walk in and hand it right back.
Honestly, I have a much better time going to a GC than I ever have to a small indepedent music store. YMMV.
My local staff has always been friendly, I was on a first name basis with a couple of the kids there and routinely asked, and bought, from them.
I've bought countless things sight unseen knowing full well if I didn't like it I could walk in and hand it right back.
Honestly, I have a much better time going to a GC than I ever have to a small indepedent music store. YMMV.
I've had great experiences with GC's used site. In 2011, I think, I bought the bass that's since been my No. 1 -- a Fender Tony Franklin sig fretless P. It was in PRISTINE shape, with the pickguard still covered in plastic and all the case candy intact. Hardshell case was pristine, too. Apparently, someone had bought it, kept it for a week or two, and returned it. And it was sold as used, at a huge discount. I'd been looking for one, at an affordable price, for a couple of months or more. The great thing about GC's used site is, if you order it and then decide you don't want it, you can return it to a GC store within 30 days and only be out the shipping charge (and my guess is that if there's legitimately something "wrong" with it that wasn't disclosed, you could convince them to refund the shipping charge, too).
I walked in with a pocket full of money but since I look like I don't have any money, no one spoke to me. Was going to buy a new musicman. Left and saved a couple of thousand. Came to my senses after I pulled out of the parking lot. Thanks to GC and staff!
I could have never done that. If it's an instore item and I want it I'll drag that big ass ladder across the showroom to climb. That's the fastest way to get their attention lol.
I know a good number of the guys at the Paramus NJ location and have purchased quite a bit of my equipment from them over the years, including my Musicman & Geddy, as well as my MarkBass stack. I cant complain, they match the best prices and can order whatever you need. The ONLY thing I will say in the negative is their bass string selection is horrendous, but you can get strings online, so..
GC must be doing extremely well. two other chains that, like GC, were saddled with another companies' huge debts, toys r us and payless, went under. GC managed to weather that and are still open.
I'll go on vacation to the US this summer, I'll probably be able to afford a couple cheap gadgets to take home. I'll let you know then. I'll answer for now with a question (one I don't think deserving of a thread of its own or is too much of a derail, but if that were not the case my apologies in advance). I was thinking GC in the first place. I'll visit NY, San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas, Seattle and DC. I probably won't have time for more than a couple GC trips, would love to know beforehand the top 2-3 stores amongst those cities for any of you. Thanks a lot.
If it's an instore item and I want it I'll drag that big ass ladder across the showroom to climb. That's the fastest way to get their attention lol.[/QUOTE]
lol. Yep, that will do it.
lol. Yep, that will do it.
I grew up in San Diego and remember the old GC well yea it was a different place and time. Treated well at all the music stores there. The interesting thing about Nashville is I go to GC and am treated rudely but go to Corner Music and am treated like I've shopped there forever. Take what you want off the wall plug it in turn it up and play it. A totally different vibe in the same town.I use to travel, for biz, and have been in lots GC,s and music stores in general. I use to go to the "old" GC in San Diego in the 90's, great place. I have good luck in Ocala, not so much in Gainesville, Fl. Asheville is pretty meh IMHO. Fact is any retail outlet is only as good as it's manager. One observation, the more music oriented the city ( Nashville, Asheville, Gainesville) the less engaging staff is. I leave out LA because it really is a different vibe and mostly friendly, at least the 25+ years I lived there. I still am thankful that GC was and is there. Music, especially guitar players, would not be where they are today without them. I have seen the look on kids faces when their mom or dad get them their first elec or accoustic guitar, it's priceless. So as far as Guitar Centers go, it's a good thing for music not a bad.
The whole coverage thing did get out of hand (IMO). Employees forced to push them and even threatened. Saw this first hand. So, please don't take it out on the salesman.
Hanging out in GC, I've played some acoustic guitars that I would never have access to otherwise. Top of the line Guilds, back in the 90s. Compared them to Taylors. Some Seagulls. The sound proofed acoustic room is the coolest thing they have, in my opinion. I've also tried a number of acoustic basses there. I bought a top of the line Jackson guitar at a GC clearance sale for about $300. It had some minor body damage. Recently, I found a gently used Johnson J-Station at GC online. So far, it's been good.
Yep. I use that tactic at Best Buy too when I can’t get someone to help me. They become interested in you real quick when you’re pushing or climbing the ladder.
I've mostly ordered from GC's Used gear and had the items brought to my nearest GC location. My experiences have been positive.
I've not purchased any basses yet (although I have a number of links saved), but I have purchased the following:
I've not purchased any basses yet (although I have a number of links saved), but I have purchased the following:
- Gibson Explorer
- Jackson JS32RM Rhoads
- Boss ME-50B Multi-effects
- Digitech Jamman JMD
Home Depot is the best for that tactic. They really dont like people on ladders even though they have the best ladders around with a platform AND hand rails.
