Warning: Buyer beware at Guitar Center

Was it used? What did you pay for it? Places like Guitar Center really don't inspect the used inventory very closely. When I was in sales, we tried to price our used gear in line with condition, but that doesn't always satisfy a buyer. Unfortunately, that's a problem when you're buying sight unseen. If it's new, you should be able to return it to them under a manufacturer's warranty, but that whole thing about the strap screw tells me this is a used piece. I'm sorry this happened to you

 

Thanks for the heads up. Sorry for your experience. Buying used instruments can be a challenging endeavor online. While GC has a pretty big inventory to choose from, I think there are many other smaller online retailers that I would frequent first.

I hope you can get the bass you bought to a playability that works for you.
Bones

 

A 560 mile round trip for a drop off would get me more in the mood to deal with return shipping cost if they email me a shipping label. It'd be worth it in time and gas to me. Not sure what your total out of pocket is.

Wow man. Good luck whatever you end up doing.

For what it's worth I've had really good luck here, and pretty OK luck using Reverb. Would recommend getting as much photos as possible to back you up if you ever end up with another "not-as-described" situation.

 

Just return it if it's that bad. You're under no obligation to keep it.

 

At our big national chain in Canada, you're describing the NEW instruments.

 

Yes, for the most part guitar center does nothing to used gear that comes in. Plus 3/4 of the sales reps I've talked to either know nothin (especially about basses), or will just lie to get the sale (I'm not sure which but the results are the same). I'm only 10 min from my local GC so returning is not a problem. They've alway refunded the shipping they charged me when I buy online if there are functional problems. I bought a $1800 bass that a rep told me was great and only had light surface scratches. When I got it I could tell immediately that it had been poorly refinished, there was finish stuck in the hard-to-sand spots, and the "light surface scratches" Were, in fact, deep sanding scratches and gouges from the re-fin. On top of that I plugged it in to find it hummed uncontrollably.

I've had the opposite experience too, bought a Tobias Toby recently that was great, and a G&L Tribute L2500 that I love. Both used and really good deals.

You just have to accept that you won't know until it arrives. Sorry to hear about your experience. Hopefully it was a good enough deal to soften having to put a bit more into it.

How about some pics? (We really like pics )

 

Here in Seattle we have The Bass Shop. Not a huge inventory but really solid people. I've bought basses online from Chicago Music Exchange, Bass Club Chicago, and Bass Central in Orlando. Each has some very cool basses and they've been great to deal with.

Bones

 

If the instrument is defective, and you tell them, you should not have to pay return shipping if it was shipped to you like that. Call them and talk to them.

 

i've gotten some really good deals used at guitar center, enough so that when one needed some work, i was okay with that. but it helps that i live within 15 minutes of our closest guitar center, so returns would be easy for me.

 

Sorry about your ordeal; that really sucks the big one... personally I've never had a problem with items I've purchased from GC, but I only buy wot they have in-store that I can examine with my own senses. You have to be careful with buying online sight unseen, you're basically buying the proverbial pig in the poke. Personally, I'd send it back or ask for a partial refund for the damage it showed up in, but make sure and take pictures and document each thing that was not disclosed to you.
As for buying online, (even though they are owned by the same parent company), Musicians Friend is one I've had a lot of luck with, some haven't though. I've heard nothing but good about Reverb.com too. Also, look around for smaller mom and pop music stores; those guys that run them usually know wot they're selling and will give you a good deal.

 

I get the frustration but most things pan out at the end.


Does GC suck for a lot of its used gear? Yea... but they also have crazy deals too.

Do the employees say whatever to get the sale? Yea but keep in mind that the sweet deals wouldnt be too sweet if the employees got a livable wage.

Would it suck for you to drive that far or have to pay return shipping? Yea, but thats likely nothing compared to what you save on cost of living by being that far out so in the end.. Id assume youre still up.

 

I use their pick up in store a lot and have mostly gotten stuff in way better shape then I expected - amps as well as basses. Things that were not in line with their description they either credited me some $ or gave a full refund including shipping. Much easier then dealing with eBay or any other online returns. Obviously not for you due to the huge travel but I would guess there are few people on TB in your situation.

 

GC has a 45 day return policy- get your money back!

 

Send it back and post pictures of the issues. Not to be an ass but I have read so many stories here of people that I would not like to have as customers.

We should have a rule: no pictures no issues

 

Bought a bass from GC online that was nowhere near the described condition. Wood showing in the wrong places with the polyurethane finish flaked off on the body, would not sit well with most buyers, especially when it's not mentioned or shown in the pictures, which are notoriously bad. Tone control is wonky. The price was right. Free relic finish, I guess.

 

The fact that you don’t want to return the bass and you rather fix it yourself , tells me that in your opinion , this bass is not in such a terrible condition.

Now , the fact that the nearest gc is 280 miles away ??

 

+1 on Calling them.

You never know what they might be able to do for you. Ask to talk to a manager and be polite. It helps.

Worst case is you wind up right where you are now after the call. Best case you get some cash back in your pocket for the condition issues, or they cover shipping and get your refund going.

Many GC employees are decent folks and will want to help out a fellow musician in this situation with a fair resolution.

Let us know how it works out.