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Your Guitar Center's inventory?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by RichSnyder, Jun 9, 2019.

  1. Jun 9, 2019 #1
    RichSnyder

    RichSnyder Columbia, MD Supporting Member

    Jun 19, 2003
    My local Guitar Centers have generally been well stock and well run, but lately the inventory has been dwindling. They're moving items around to cover empty spaces or just letting them be barren. Effect pedals missing, about half as many amps as in the past, synths are nonexistent, higher end basses not to be seen unless it's a floor model that's very, very used and nobody would want it at their full retail price. We've heard doom and gloom for GC for years, and I usually blow it off as yet another scare, but this time it's looking like a mall before it closes. Notice any difference at your GC?
     
  2. Jun 10, 2019 #2
    RichSnyder

    RichSnyder Columbia, MD Supporting Member

    Jun 19, 2003
    I guess we also just had their Memorial Day sale, so that may account for some of the inventory reduction. But there definitely seems to be fewer items on the shelf.
     
  3. Jun 10, 2019 #3
    DoctorZee

    DoctorZee Supporting Member

    Jan 27, 2018
    New York / New Jersey
    That’s my impression, too. Additionally, my local shop started offering lessons a year or two ago, and converted about 20% of their retail floor space into lesson rooms.
     
    CyberSnyder likes this.
  4. Jun 11, 2019 #4
    Michedelic

    Michedelic MId-Century Modern

    Jun 18, 2013
    Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree
    I’ve reached the point where if I never walk in a GC again in my life, I won’t lose any sleep. I just don’t care anymore; it’s way past the point of diminishing returns to even spend the time and gasoline.
     
  5. Jun 11, 2019 #5
    TolerancEJ

    TolerancEJ

    May 27, 2010
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    I'm in the Vancouver area, so my nearest Guitar Center is located in Bellingham, WA. I've bought a few pieces of used gear, which I requested from other GC locations. I've only purchased a few accessories from their immediate inventory.
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2019
  6. Jun 11, 2019 #6
    jshinal

    jshinal

    May 28, 2013
    Raleigh, NC
    Our local GC has been good, but in the last year the variety in their inventory has really been dumbed down.
     
  7. Jun 11, 2019 #7
    Robf

    Robf Supporting Member

    Feb 14, 2007
    Fremont, CA, USA
    Half of my local GC front area (which was strings, pedals, accessories) got converted to lesson rooms. Seems like it was a better business decision as they are now busy on weeknights as before it was dead.
     
  8. Jun 11, 2019 #8
    buldog5151bass

    buldog5151bass Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.

    Oct 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    Most people buying there are beginners or parents buying gifts. They stock what they sell.
     
  9. Jun 11, 2019 #9
    RichSnyder

    RichSnyder Columbia, MD Supporting Member

    Jun 19, 2003
    The inventory has noticeably changed in the past several months at my local stores. My sample size is too small to declare something terrible is afoot, but it feels "off".
     
  10. Jun 13, 2019 #10
    Bassaga

    Bassaga

    Sep 4, 2015
    Arizona
    My GC is full to the brim on the guitar walls and the acoustic room, but the bass wall was shockingly bare last time I saw it. I think there were three basses scattered across the wall, maybe it was just two. Made me nervous.