Buy at GC? Or online?

[desiwrx02]

Most of the things i need to purchase are available at my local Guitar Center in addition to online. I was wondering if there were any benefits of purchasing it at GC other than having to pay 6% sales tax? (The sites seem to have free shipping).
Thanks
Ajay

 

[suproboy]

I'll buy guitar strings, cables, picks, and maybe a nose flute at Guitar Center if I have no other recourse, but I would not make any major purchase there. Guitar Center makes Wal-Mart look like Mort Drucker's General Store (see: Green Acres; Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor), and I would just as soon make a hefty contribution to the Keep Dick Cheney In The White House fund than enrich, encourage, or otherwise embolden the nitwits who couldn't quite cut the mustard as used car salesmen at GC. Just my opinion. And, there's the 6% vig to consider. Shop around if you can. There are any number of reputable, knowledgable vendors who actually give a rats ass about the needs of the consumer.

 

[Greenshoe]

Guitar Center is good for:

1) last-minute accessories and small things like picks, strings, cables, guitar straps, etc.

2) Testing out instruments and amps to get a general sense of the differences between certain models or brands. But only on weekday or weekend mornings when it's not crowded and noisy.

3) SOMETIMES, there is the occasional sales rep who is knowledgeable and not trying to pawn off whatever they have in the store so they can get their commission.


If you want to buy online, here's a couple of decent recommended ones:

RECORDING GEAR

www.mercenary.com - in MA. carries mostly high-end mics, pres, converters, and some used stuff; some budget stuff.

www.atlasproaudio.com - in FL. similar to Mercenary Audio, has some used gear

www.humbuckermusic.com - small dealer that provides good value-for-money gear

www.bayviewproaudio.com - in WA. Deals in everything from high-end to budget stuff

www.altomusic.com - in FL(?). another small dealer that provides mostly high-end stuff

www.8thstreet.com - in NJ. An online superstore that provides a wide range of recording gear from budget to high-end (and instruments, see below).

www.zzounds.com/a--2676837 - in NJ. Another online superstore similar to 8thstreet.com

www.bhphoto.com - in NY. Another dealer in higher end recording gear

www.sweetwater.com - in NJ (?). Huge selection, prices not always the best though; you are assigned a 'salesperson' who you buy from; like Guitar Center, people either have great experiences with them or horrible experiences

www.musiciansfriend.com - owned by Guitar Center. Better selection than the stores, better prices (but not the lowest prices online). Some buyers have had gripes about bad product being shipped, and returns policy that can be difficult.


MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AMPS, AND ACCESSORIES

www.8thstreet.com
www.zzounds.com/a--2676837
www.sweetwater.com
www.musiciansfriend.com (same company as Guitar Center; lots of mixed experiences from users)

USED INSTRUMENTS AND RECORDING GEAR

www.mercenary.com
www.atlasproaudio.com
www.craigslist.org - if you're close to a major metro area (NY, SF, LA, etc.) this could be a good place to look for locals selling their used gear

And last but not least, you probably know there's always Ebay.

Hope this helps

 

[Rimshot]

It depends.

If you have a good working relationship with te sales people or sales managers at GC it can be real good for you. Granted there are some stores that are better than others in the GC chain and I've had both good and bad experiences, mostly they've been fine.
The advantage of going to a GC against on-line shopping is that :
1.) you can see and check out the actual item there.
2.) you can go home with it that day.
3.) you can haggle for a better price ( and usually get it.)
4.) The return poicy is pretty good.
5.) if you're impatient like me, (see #2)

6.) They usually have a fair stock of used items that can be had at a better price than on ebay.

Disadvantages:
1.) If GC doesn't have it in stock, DON"T ORDER IT FROM THEM!
They will take forever and half the time they'll lose the order.

2.) although the stock is good, they certainly don't have everything. If it isn't a big mover, they don't stock it.

3.) SOME, some, of the sales help ARE morons, but most are pretty good guys. The one or two morons you run into will spoil your day.

4.) They do stock some high level things, but the majority of their stock is entry level stuff. (That's good and bad)

5.) I can't walk into a Guitar Center without spending money on things that I don't really need cause it looks good at the time
(well that's kinda my own personal problem, isn't it?)

On-line places like zZounds and 8th Street have been pretty decent to deal with, but I'm impatient. When I wan't something, I want it now.

It's your call.

 

[desiwrx02]

Thanks so much for all the advice.. I think Ill be buying online because Im in no rush to get the equipment. What I need is a Tascam US 122, SP B1, MXL V67, and some headphones.
Thanks again,
Ajay

 

[tdukex]

I always take advantage of Guitar Center. I couldn't give a fuck less about the store atmosphere or the quality of salespeople. I want good gear cheap, and I always know what I want and how much I'm willing to pay before I enter the store. If you want advice, get it on this BBS. If Walmart sold the gear I wanted at the cheapest price, then I'd shop there!

I can always get the best deal at GC. They will meet the out-the-door price of anyone else, and I have haggled them out of hundreds and hundreds of dollars that I wouldn't be able to do with an online dealer. Also, if there is a problem with the gear I can return it easily. I've heard way too many nightmare stories about online purchases, so I only purchase online when I have to.

To each his own.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I have to say, I'm with Tdukex. Yeah, you have to deal with humans, but at least I have the guy's name. I have made deals I'm very proud of at Guitar Center, everything from KK Audio racks to Auralex products to Road Ready cases to an Avalon, and a B.L.U.E. Kiwi. They've taken back some stuff they never should have from me, eaten stuff on used gear deals.
I will say- all used gear is suspect, because they usually don't properly audition gear they take in. On the bright side, some used gear they sold me DOA, and they wound up giving me better stuff that worked for the same price. I've had them call me because I was looking for a good used 1X12 cab, and they had just got the perfect used Marshall cab. We made a deal. I asked about a piece of gear they didn't have in stock at the time, and a month later, they called me to tell me they had gotten it in. I could've sent my Avalon back to the factory for repair, but what the hell, GC ate the shipping. Works for me.
Yeah, there's usually only 2 or 3 people in the store who have a clue, and you have to know who they are. They are commissioned salesmen, and the good ones will respond well when they get a little respect. I know it's hard. I walked into GC with a monotor that actually had damage, and I know it was accidental damage in my studio. I say to the manager of pro audio, "I know this isn't covered under warranty, just replace them, I'll pay for them." The manager says, "No, why don't we just put them in for store demos, we'll repair the damaged one. I'll get you a new set." I can tell you, when I bought my Avalon months later, when he wasn't there, I made sure I got it for his quoted price. and made sure they put his name on the ticket. He thanked me for that later, and I told him, "You ate a pair of monitors you didn't have to. That's substantial, and I don't forget things like that." What goes around, comes around. If I had bought all my gear online, I'd be out an extra grand or 2 by now. I have bought many things on line, including some ebay purchases, but I'd always prefer to have it in my hand before I pay, and know that it's simple to return it.-Richie