If by deals, you mean they shank your wallet, then you have an answer. Do NOT go through guitar center to get rid of equipment if at all possible.
Yes. This is true. Haven't found a store yet that gave a good deal, actually. Once or twice I've been offered more from GC than from some other store, but also the other way 'round. There's always the classifieds here or elsewhere, but cabs are tough what with the shipping hassle and all. I've ended up keeping all the cabs I wanted to get rid of, and finding alternative uses for them. Like furniture. A 2X10 could be a lamp stand, or end table. Makes for a novel decor. And if you have an old power amp laying around, your home stereo can get pretty loud. Often bad sounding, but still loud. Yay.
GC, like most large stores (Sam Ass comes to mind) will break it off in your ass and/or bend you over the desk and breach load you on a trade in if you give them the opportunity. You're better off selling it on your own, then taking the cash and buying. Alan
Look at it this way: You sell direct and the person buying it pays what its worth. You sell it to Guitar Center and they pay a lot less than its worth so they can sell it for what its worth in the future.
GC gives people 1/2 of the value they plan on selling it for (in most cases). If it's worth $399, expect $200, give or take $50. I have been there, done it, it felt good. But I also told people to go to Ebay once they got pissed at me for the lowball. If I were you, I wouldn't trade gear unless you plan on using it as a bargaining chip. In other words, if you want to buy a bass they have, say "I'll give you this cab and $XXX to get that bass." If they can take a price down on a bass to make it happen, they will. It will seem like they are giving you more, but they are just charging less. Sneaky sneaky. As always, I will be happy to tell anyone the facts of GC, just ask.
I think you GC employees should start your own consulting firm or at the very least, a website. GuitarCenterExposed.com !
There are enough of us to start a freaking company... but unfortunately, it would be a lot like GC, except full of pissed off and lazy former employees. Like Sam Ash.
The GC and Sam Ash near me (or where I used to be) are a block from each other, so I know at least 3 people who did the old switcheroo. I figure SA does the same with trades, it's just all retail in the long run, you know? GC doesn't buy NEW gear at near their price, then sell it for a slight gain, they pay wholesale, then mark it up. That's retail around the board.
