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Warning: Buyer beware at Guitar Center

#61
Not to condone what happened to you, but in my opinion, it's wise to approach the purchase of anything used (instruments, cars, furniture, etc.) as buyer beware. The vast majority of sellers are trying to make some money, even if it's at the expense of someone else. It has become a somewhat sucky world we live in. Do as much homework and research and possible to limit the chances of a negative experience.
 
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#63
bloobass said:
Not to condone what happened to you, but in my opinion, it's wise to approach the purchase of anything used (instruments, cars, furniture, etc.) as buyer beware. The vast majority of sellers are trying to make some money, even if it's at the expense of someone else. It has become a somewhat sucky world we live in. Do as much homework and research and possible to limit the chances of a negative experience.
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to be fair, most used items on guitar center have a single, poor quality picture. there's no way to check anything except to ask someone at the store about the item, which the OP did.

this is where the guitar center return policy comes in very handy. if there's a problem, instead of getting angry or trying to fix the issues, buyers have the option to try and either get a discount or return the item.
 
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#64
Yes-- If you really don't know your way around basses, you should not be buying ANYTHING used at GC. Ever.
I've pulled "NEW" basses down off the wall there several times where they are unplayable because the strings are stuck to the fretboard, do to the truss rod being completely whacked.
 
#65
The quality control of Guitar Center's used gear has definitely taken a bit of a nosedive for me over the past year or two specifically. I reached a breaking point when I got sent a wah pedal that sounded awful, only to realize later that there was a piece of it that was literally torn off of the pedal itself. Will not be ordering used there again.
 
#66
I sold them a bass a few years back. They said, "We'd give $160 for it but some knobs and wires are loose. We'll have to repair that, so best we can give you is $130." I took it, whatever. A month later I see the bass hanging in the showroom at $260 with the knobs still loose and I'm 100% sure they didn't fix the wiring issue. They lack integrity. That's why I give my business to mom and pop shops or Sweetwater.
 
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#67
Bassranger45 said:
Sorry if this is beating a dead horse, but wanted to make sure that others are aware of some of the things Guitar Center is getting away with.
My latest bass, a 5-string Yamaha BB435 was bought from Guitar Center on May 27th 2019.
I am still fixing the things wrong with this bass:
1) Broken upper strap screw. The broken piece being below the surface of the wood. So (someone?) just drilled a new hole in the back of the guitar body instead of extracting and repairing at the correct location.
2) 2 broken tuners. They function but are rattle and buzz monsters.
3) Bent shaft on one of the volume pots.
4) Neck tension set such that action is waaaay too low. i know this may be nitpicking but this is a major chain that should be held to a higher standard by it's own management but also by it's customer bass. (If we as consumers just accept anything "these guys try to get away with" then we deserve to be treated with disrespect).
5) The nut on this bass must have been replaced by someone ( a total dimwit) who built it themselves. I refuse to believe that Yamaha made this nut to have such obviously unequal string spacing.

When I called to inquire about the bass before buying it online ( my main mistake)
the sales rep at the Indiana #57 store assured me it was in good playable condition and the only thing wrong with it was that the action might be a tad bit low. He also stated that he had played it just the night before. So, based on his report, I bought it.
I could return the bass for a refund and I'd only be out the shipping cost. But, I'd have to drive round trip 280 miles to my closest Guitar Center. Then I'd still have to find another bass. I'll take my lumps on this one, and fix everything myself as a lesson to myself and perhaps others possibly considering an online purchase from GC.
Bottom line is this:
Do NOT trust Guitar Center to give disclosure, be forthcoming, or honest in the condition of their used equipment.
Click to expand...
I noticed you just joined TB about a week ago. Welcome to TB
Did you also just buy this problem bass a week ago too?

As I said previously I haven't had any issues and actually got 2 real bargains
Sorry about your experience
 
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#68
Yes, buying used long distance from a Guitar Center is perhaps the ultimate crap shoot. The only silver lining is they have a generous return policy, but your choices often come down to a fixer-upper or a return.

If you just so happen to get a sales rep on the phone who knows what he's looking at and gives you a thorough, honest assessment before the purchase, you've beaten the odds.

As with any sale, you can call and complain and hope for the best, but no guarantees there either. GC is just as likely to tell you to return it as give you a partial refund.

I've had GC reps take a call about a used item, one minute they have it in their hands, and then suddenly they can't find it. I know for a fact they have hidden it away to buy it for themselves or a friend. I have even gone into the store and seen where an employee had hidden away an item still listed on the website in hopes no one will find it.
 
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#70
Why would you be out the return shipping cost if the employee told you the "only thing wrong with it" was the string height, but this is objectively untrue? If an item was described incorrectly, return shipping is on them. Just just have to call or write first to get it authorized. Hell, maybe the online interface will even let you return it postage paid for the reason of "item not as described." Bottom line, this is an easy situation to fix. Quit whining to us and just get on the horn and force them to do the right thing. If you had put half as much effort into doing that as you did into posting here, the problem would already be solved.
 
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#71
My lesson: Bought an old Univox Hi-Flyer based on a listing from a very reputable (been around for ~40 years). My current wife happened to be in that city & picked it up. Upon playing it (it felt good in my hands) it had an UNbearable fret buzz. I drove the 4 hours to have them deal with it. The salesperson took one look & determined it was "unrepairable"... 4 hours & now, no bass.
& yet, a few years later, I bought a Epiphone Viola off Reverb... (frets had been replaced but never filed down, an easy-ish fix)
Can't teach an old dog anything, apparently
 
#72
I'm fortunate (?) enough to live about 30 minutes from a GC in Houston. I ALWAYS have the items shipped there and when they arrive I try them out before I accept them. I've been really happy with what came home with me, and on the items I've refused, I've only payed the shipping a couple times, and that was due to a change of heart. When there was something wrong with the instrument, or I felt it was misrepresented, they've eaten the shipping.

Doesn't sound like you have that option, but if you call the 1-800 number and tell them what you told us, I'll bet they make you whole.
 
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#73
The only thing, I've got from them was used was Acoustic cab from Portland, shipped to Atlanta for $12.00 described as "fair" conditions. It was delivered to the store. When I arrived, guys in the store looked at me like I screwed up myself with this one and expected of me to return it. It was dirty and in very sad state. I expected everything and happily took it home for $100. With a little of work and cleaning (all together was around $40 investments in wheels and dust caps). The biggest issue was the front board, which was unglued and the whole thing rattled like powerful f*rt machine. I was the only one to see what was the issue on the first exam... Right now, cab is looking clean, great, almost like new from 1974 when was manufactured.
 
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#74
I've been outright lied to so many times from distant sellers of all ilks that it's automatically expected the item will be far less than was detailed and proper shipping protection will be laughable at best. if it works out ok you're lucky, and over the decades I've been lucky with only a handful of horror stories. GC like other so-called professionals are often the worst culprits and seem to care not about bad press, at least with a store you may have some recourse. I try to enlist someone nearby to drop in and test drive the piece and spy on the place to help ease the risks or even handle the transaction for me, it's a hassle but way better than some kind of disappointment. plus, I always have the neck popped off to reduce costs and chance of damage when shipping.
as far as GC sending an item to another store, I'm wondering if they'll do that via our new store on Oahu from Wherever USA, especially used basses? that would be awesome!
 
#76
Here are my GC used purchases
Not a single issue
The Dean USA and Gretsch Thunder Jet were real steals.
001.jpg
IMG_8740.JPG
IMG_9275.JPG
IMG_7301.JPG
IMG_2436.JPG
 
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#79
pcake said:
they don't really have a rating system that they follow. i did a sit down at a GC with what turned out to be the guy in charge of trying to improve the used listings. the poor, small pics, the claims of banged up stuff being listed in excellent condition - he's been trying to change all that with no luck at all. he said it's up to the managers how to list used stuff, and most would simply like to list it with as little effort as possible.

but for us, that's where their return policy comes in. it's worth a shot.



yeah, but consider this thread. there's probably no real issue, yet it's a thread with a title warning us about GC. all the OP had to do was call GC. most times, they'd have either refunded him part of his money or sent him an RMA. instead he started a negative thread. and that's the case in a lot of threads.

i don't think i've ever had a bad experience from GC, and i've been shopping with them since 1972. it helps that my expectations are realistic - many of the guys at GC get paid very poor wages, and a couple i know at one store only work there because they can get time off when their bands tour, then come back to their jobs. many don't get commissions and some are clueless. that's okay - i can do my own research, believe my own experiences, and have had GC and sam ash take multiple returns quickly and easily.

i HAVE, however, had a bad experience with sweetwater and wouldn't shop there for several years as they didn't take care of me even afterward. my relationship with sweetwater has improved - i love knowing the weights of basses i buy. but GC has never done me wrong. no company is perfect, but for me, how they deal with me when there's a problem is a big part of what makes me come back to any business over and over.

btw, between my husband and i, we have well over 200 purchases at GC.
Click to expand...

Actually they do. When you are on their web site, the look below the price. It tells you what condition it is in. Here is their definition of conditions:


Excellent
This product is in "like new" condition and shows little to no signs of use. Free from blemishes, scratches, and user wear. All controls are completely functional.
Great
This product shows little signs of use and all controls are completely functional. It may have minor surface scratches.
Good
This product is completely functional and shows some signs of use. It may have surface scratches and/or dings and dents.
Fair
This product is functional but shows signs of heavy use that could include, but not limited to; scratches, dings, dent, chips, and worn parts/controls.
Poor
This product shows significant cosmetic and functional wear. It may need repair and/or part(s) replaced.


The OP's bass based his description , arrived in poor condition by GC's definition. I'll stand on what I said. If that bass was listed as any other than poor, he is due a full refund including shipping costs.

Using this list for leverage is the smart thing do to negotiate a settlement that has saved me hundreds over the years.
 
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