MadAudio
Damned if I do
Thanks! I haven't been to a GC in ages, but after reading some of those I almost want to go just to fuck with the salespeople!
Thanks! I haven't been to a GC in ages, but after reading some of those I almost want to go just to fuck with the salespeople!
Seafroggys
Well-known member
Yeah I haven't had any bad help from GC, and I occasionally buy there, but I try to get help from online or from other local shops, and buy from other local shops.
I remember asking a guy what the difference between an A and A Custom Zildjian cymbal was, hoping for sonic differences. He just told me how they were lathed differently.
Does anybody give a fuck?
I remember asking a guy what the difference between an A and A Custom Zildjian cymbal was, hoping for sonic differences. He just told me how they were lathed differently.
Does anybody give a fuck?
monkie
New member
That's what I was thinking of too. I'm not gonna buy from there anymore; just going there to mess around with those goose.
MadAudio
Damned if I do
Based on that Gearslutz thread, the best bet is to ask for a Shure SM7 and see if they try to sell you an SM57. Or ask for a MIDI-to-1/4" cable!
F
fiddler59
New member
The only reason I EVER go in Guitar Center anymore IS to fuck with the sales people !!!
David B
David B
SonicAlbert
Super-Sonic "Herb" Albert
I'm really not sure what your complaint is. You *accepted* both those items from the Guitar Center salesperson. In both cases you needn't have accepted them.
All you had to say was "is this brand new factory sealed?". Then if they tell you it is, you open up the package and point out that it is in fact *not* factory sealed. Then you ask for an actual factory sealed item at that price. At which point they'll most likely tell you they don't have any more.
The thing is, you wanted a steal and they used that against you. They know you want a steal so they drop the price but give you a return that they need to dump anyway. However, you need to take responsibility for your own actions, which is you walked out of the store with whatever box they gave you, without checking it or standing up to the sales person.
The thing is, you should either get a yet lower price for the return, or get a new item for the same price they quote you. But in either case you need to *say* that and make it a clear part of the deal.
All you had to say was "is this brand new factory sealed?". Then if they tell you it is, you open up the package and point out that it is in fact *not* factory sealed. Then you ask for an actual factory sealed item at that price. At which point they'll most likely tell you they don't have any more.
The thing is, you wanted a steal and they used that against you. They know you want a steal so they drop the price but give you a return that they need to dump anyway. However, you need to take responsibility for your own actions, which is you walked out of the store with whatever box they gave you, without checking it or standing up to the sales person.
The thing is, you should either get a yet lower price for the return, or get a new item for the same price they quote you. But in either case you need to *say* that and make it a clear part of the deal.
Seafroggys
Well-known member
Based on that Gearslutz thread, the best bet is to ask for a Shure SM7 and see if they try to sell you an SM57. Or ask for a MIDI-to-1/4" cable!
You know, it was a GC employee who first introduced me to the SM7
Back when I was thinking "oh yeah, big condensor mic for vocals, yeah" and he was like "You know, for rock vocals the SM7 is one of the best." And I thought he was spewing typical GC hogwash.
After reading these forums, turns out that I was the nimrod
M
MarkAtGC
New member
My name is Mark and I’m a rep for Guitar Center. First of all, we hate reading stories like this online. Of course this isn’t the kind of experience we want you guys to have. To monkie and anyone else that feels they didn't receive the service they deserve at our stores, I apologize. Let me do whatever I can to help you set your situation right.
Here's the deal. Keeping all of the gear fresh and new is an ongoing battle on the floor for GC. We want to be your destination for your musical gear. That's why we let you try and play anything you want. That's why we have a 30 Day Return policy. Everyone who works at GC, from top to bottom, is a musician. We know what it's like to want to find that perfect piece of gear. Often, that means trying lots of different instruments. That also means we open a lot of boxes for you to try. That also means we take gear back if the customer doesn't think it's the perfect fit. That means we have open gear. As a business owner, that inventory can be problematic. But we strive to keep everything up and running and in good condition. We can't catch everything, and it looks like we've dropped the ball for a few of you guys.
Should you pay full price for a piece of open gear? No. Definitely not. That's why we have store managers on hand to help you get the price right. USE THEM. If you're ever having trouble in our stores, don't hesitate to approach the manager. They'll be glad to help. To monkie and anyone else that would like speak with someone here at GC about an issue, feel free to hit me up.
Mark
mark@guitarcenter.com
gcwebcommunity@guitarcenter.com
Here's the deal. Keeping all of the gear fresh and new is an ongoing battle on the floor for GC. We want to be your destination for your musical gear. That's why we let you try and play anything you want. That's why we have a 30 Day Return policy. Everyone who works at GC, from top to bottom, is a musician. We know what it's like to want to find that perfect piece of gear. Often, that means trying lots of different instruments. That also means we open a lot of boxes for you to try. That also means we take gear back if the customer doesn't think it's the perfect fit. That means we have open gear. As a business owner, that inventory can be problematic. But we strive to keep everything up and running and in good condition. We can't catch everything, and it looks like we've dropped the ball for a few of you guys.
Should you pay full price for a piece of open gear? No. Definitely not. That's why we have store managers on hand to help you get the price right. USE THEM. If you're ever having trouble in our stores, don't hesitate to approach the manager. They'll be glad to help. To monkie and anyone else that would like speak with someone here at GC about an issue, feel free to hit me up.
Mark
mark@guitarcenter.com
gcwebcommunity@guitarcenter.com
WhiteStrat
Don't stare at the eye.
R
RandyW
New member
Sure there might be a few jerks at CG or any other store for that matter.
You don't really expect an 18 yr to know every thing there is to know about
all the stuff they carry do you?
I go there quite a bit and have a sales guy there that goes above and beyond anyone at any other place I've done business including Sweet Water and those
guys do a really good job IMO.
For instance I bought a cheapo Squire TB bass from Sam Ash the jerks their
couldn't help me with it only have me send it back and wait for a replacement.
The only problem with the bass was 1 tuner was bent the other was broken.
The rest of the bass was to nice to send back. They couldn't replace the
keys or even determine what brand would work. Cory my sales guy at CG went out of his way checking some sources and got me a set of original tuners for like 15 bucks and these were not easy to find he wasted a lot of
time calling around. Remember I didn't even buy the bass from him. Any time I go there I don't care what department he is in that is where I'm checking out.
So I'm not going to slam them for that reason alone. Long live GC
You don't really expect an 18 yr to know every thing there is to know about
all the stuff they carry do you?
I go there quite a bit and have a sales guy there that goes above and beyond anyone at any other place I've done business including Sweet Water and those
guys do a really good job IMO.
For instance I bought a cheapo Squire TB bass from Sam Ash the jerks their
couldn't help me with it only have me send it back and wait for a replacement.
The only problem with the bass was 1 tuner was bent the other was broken.
The rest of the bass was to nice to send back. They couldn't replace the
keys or even determine what brand would work. Cory my sales guy at CG went out of his way checking some sources and got me a set of original tuners for like 15 bucks and these were not easy to find he wasted a lot of
time calling around. Remember I didn't even buy the bass from him. Any time I go there I don't care what department he is in that is where I'm checking out.
So I'm not going to slam them for that reason alone. Long live GC
S
santiu
Rock-scientist
I've only ever encountered 1 guy at GC that I found useful. He was in the drum department, knew his shit, and gave me good deals. Then he left, now there isn't a soul in the Pasadena GC that I trust to give me any sort of buying advice.
My new found favorite place to buy things hands down is Sweetwater. They know their shit, they have awesome customer service, free shipping, and good prices.
My new found favorite place to buy things hands down is Sweetwater. They know their shit, they have awesome customer service, free shipping, and good prices.
apl
Stand Up Comity
And free candy!
monkie
New member
monkie
New member
SonicAlbert
Super-Sonic "Herb" Albert
Mark, what GC store do you work at? You are the kind of sales rep I like to deal with.
Sloan
New member
I've never had a bad experience at any GC because I know what I want to buy or dick around with before I get there. Being a good customer and doing your research before making a purchasing decision makes everyone's life easier.
Also, don't purchase stuff that looks used if you want something new. I was buying some 40oz Miller's one time at this gas station and noticed that one of them had been partially opened and was missing some of it's brew, so I got another one. Easy.
Also, don't purchase stuff that looks used if you want something new. I was buying some 40oz Miller's one time at this gas station and noticed that one of them had been partially opened and was missing some of it's brew, so I got another one. Easy.
J
jackstpaulUHS
New member
beautiful woman at GC? Fake indentity?
A year ago I was in the market for a $1,000-1100. acoustic. I’ve played 20 years, am a decent player, but don’t play out, don’t know gear, etc. Great GC sales guy I dealt with over numerous visits. Pitched a Tak to me in my price range. It has a tube pickup—cool tube? Nice sound but can get it in effects, so why bother?
In the acoustic room trying it with a couple friends/players. Gorgeous mid-30s--I'm early 40s-- woman sticks her head in and says, “Are you the one trying the Tak cool tube?" Yes. She’s not a GC employee.
Says she has a version—maybe body shape difference, not a cutout? Anyway, it was bizarre. We couldn’t figure out what her deal was—not trying to sell, just briefly talked about, didn’t come in…odd.
I was interested in a Gibby Songwriter Deluxe cutout listed at $2200, too. Very much like it.
I go out into the main acoustic room, and she comes up. Now she seems to be pushing the Tak as I’m talking about a diff. guitar to consider incl. The Gibby.
So we’re talking, I’m trying flirt. Says she’s here on vacay, just “stopping in” the store to browse. I ask her if she plays out, what she does. Says she doesn’t play out, hasn’t played very long, just folk songs with some people. Says she barely knows anything about guitars, gear.
As we talk, she knows everything about guitars—more than anyone I’ve talked to. Getting into shape differences, wood, the fretboard ‘dots” (whatever they are called--Gibby was very fancy vs. Tak) body vs. neck wood, string types, fancy stuff on guitar, the sort “lines” around the body edge. Very sophisticated on sound hole, pickups, sound, getting a strap peg drilled in, etc.—in complex ways. Is telling me the Gibby is higher priced higher only because of the aesthetics.
Was an encyclopedia.
Trying to push the $1,100 Tak and dissuade me from the $2200 Gibby, based on her personal knowledge, you know, not a pro not a salesperson, she said.
So who was she? A Takamine salesperson who “happened” to be in the store but not a GC worker? A dealer? A GC employee? If she was a GC worker why was trying convince me to buy a Tak that was a $1,100 cheaper than the Gibby? She wouldn’t tell me what she’d paid for her Tak Offered a minimal comment on how to negotiate with GC.
“Undercover” sales rep for someone?
She definitely wasn’t a “normal person” stopping by--as she contradicted her claim about not knowing much, as "brand new” unsophisticated player, little knowledge.
Friends and I couldn’t figure it out. Didn’t get a chance to ask the GC guy about her.
Does someone send beautiful women around to stores to push product? Got my attention till I smelled a rat. Nothing added up at all.
Heard of this?
Bought the Gibby at GC for $1,800.
A year ago I was in the market for a $1,000-1100. acoustic. I’ve played 20 years, am a decent player, but don’t play out, don’t know gear, etc. Great GC sales guy I dealt with over numerous visits. Pitched a Tak to me in my price range. It has a tube pickup—cool tube? Nice sound but can get it in effects, so why bother?
In the acoustic room trying it with a couple friends/players. Gorgeous mid-30s--I'm early 40s-- woman sticks her head in and says, “Are you the one trying the Tak cool tube?" Yes. She’s not a GC employee.
Says she has a version—maybe body shape difference, not a cutout? Anyway, it was bizarre. We couldn’t figure out what her deal was—not trying to sell, just briefly talked about, didn’t come in…odd.
I was interested in a Gibby Songwriter Deluxe cutout listed at $2200, too. Very much like it.
I go out into the main acoustic room, and she comes up. Now she seems to be pushing the Tak as I’m talking about a diff. guitar to consider incl. The Gibby.
So we’re talking, I’m trying flirt. Says she’s here on vacay, just “stopping in” the store to browse. I ask her if she plays out, what she does. Says she doesn’t play out, hasn’t played very long, just folk songs with some people. Says she barely knows anything about guitars, gear.
As we talk, she knows everything about guitars—more than anyone I’ve talked to. Getting into shape differences, wood, the fretboard ‘dots” (whatever they are called--Gibby was very fancy vs. Tak) body vs. neck wood, string types, fancy stuff on guitar, the sort “lines” around the body edge. Very sophisticated on sound hole, pickups, sound, getting a strap peg drilled in, etc.—in complex ways. Is telling me the Gibby is higher priced higher only because of the aesthetics.
Was an encyclopedia.
Trying to push the $1,100 Tak and dissuade me from the $2200 Gibby, based on her personal knowledge, you know, not a pro not a salesperson, she said.
So who was she? A Takamine salesperson who “happened” to be in the store but not a GC worker? A dealer? A GC employee? If she was a GC worker why was trying convince me to buy a Tak that was a $1,100 cheaper than the Gibby? She wouldn’t tell me what she’d paid for her Tak Offered a minimal comment on how to negotiate with GC.
“Undercover” sales rep for someone?
She definitely wasn’t a “normal person” stopping by--as she contradicted her claim about not knowing much, as "brand new” unsophisticated player, little knowledge.
Friends and I couldn’t figure it out. Didn’t get a chance to ask the GC guy about her.
Does someone send beautiful women around to stores to push product? Got my attention till I smelled a rat. Nothing added up at all.
Heard of this?
Bought the Gibby at GC for $1,800.
J
jackstpaulUHS
New member
Recent shopping for Cubase vs. PT GC story
Had great experience buying an acoustic at GC a year ago.
New story, though.
Just been looking for a new recording program. Getting a new PC—move up from WinME so I’ve been in the Stone Age. Hobbyist, just done audio tracks so far (I’m a guitarist but add drum machine, simulated bass, etc.). Been using CEP. Want to get fancier and into MIDI.
Looking into PT and Cubase. GC guy knew his stuff and wasn’t pushing either of them. Not at all. Very willing to explain pros and cons. Nice guy, expert—I researched somewhat whatever he said. Not ready to buy.
The problem:
The Cubase that he said as their lowest end was (Studio 4? I think it used to be LE. About $400.) Too many issues with PT for me.
So then I find out here that there’s Cubase 4 Essentials—in response to a post of mine her looking for advice. What had been SE, I understand. I f’d up and didn’t do my homework Likely does what I need and better than AA. So he didn’t tell me about Essentials—had said SE had been —replaced, not longer stocked, not around anymore—I think the latter was what he said.
I think his comment was untruthful about no more SE, i.e. not telling me about Essentials. I don’t know if GC has Essentials or not. Wonder about that. Anyway, feel deceived. If they carry it then I have been deceived. But ticked.
I haven’t bought yet, and wasn’t going to buy there unless I got the best price.
Will still buy if they’re cheapest for Essentials, if they have it, but………tikced. Luckily I didn't buy. Learned a lesson, abotu myself and at least one guy at GC
Had great experience buying an acoustic at GC a year ago.
New story, though.
Just been looking for a new recording program. Getting a new PC—move up from WinME so I’ve been in the Stone Age. Hobbyist, just done audio tracks so far (I’m a guitarist but add drum machine, simulated bass, etc.). Been using CEP. Want to get fancier and into MIDI.
Looking into PT and Cubase. GC guy knew his stuff and wasn’t pushing either of them. Not at all. Very willing to explain pros and cons. Nice guy, expert—I researched somewhat whatever he said. Not ready to buy.
The problem:
The Cubase that he said as their lowest end was (Studio 4? I think it used to be LE. About $400.) Too many issues with PT for me.
So then I find out here that there’s Cubase 4 Essentials—in response to a post of mine her looking for advice. What had been SE, I understand. I f’d up and didn’t do my homework Likely does what I need and better than AA. So he didn’t tell me about Essentials—had said SE had been —replaced, not longer stocked, not around anymore—I think the latter was what he said.
I think his comment was untruthful about no more SE, i.e. not telling me about Essentials. I don’t know if GC has Essentials or not. Wonder about that. Anyway, feel deceived. If they carry it then I have been deceived. But ticked.
I haven’t bought yet, and wasn’t going to buy there unless I got the best price.
Will still buy if they’re cheapest for Essentials, if they have it, but………tikced. Luckily I didn't buy. Learned a lesson, abotu myself and at least one guy at GC
apl
Stand Up Comity
I
isfahani
Disciple of Wong Jing
What I really don't like (GC rep, if you're still reading this) is that after being a pro-level customer for years (= $) I am now not getting the same level of service - read: discount - as I have been for the past 10 years, as of the no-deals corporate policy change.
Sometimes I am asked to outfit a new or remodeled bar/restaurant with a PA, lights, and backline. This can total up well over a hundred grand, and GC used to be my go-to for this transaction. Well, not anymore... After spending that much money per year over a decade or so at any business, I got used to what they called 10up which is basically that my cost is 10% over store cost. And that doesn't happen anymore, so I find deals elsewhere.
Sweetwater, I don't like as they screwed up my first two orders with them and then the rep acted like he didn't have time to deal with it. I was greeted with an advance replacement for my broken item that had an attached invoice that stated that there was a charge pending on my card that would be removed when they got the broken equipment back - and the charge was the full retail price of the item, not what anyone would pay for it. I was like... how insulting! You send me some broken shit, send me a replacement, and then threaten to charge me 3x the price I paid for it if somehow I don't return the broken POS to you?
After this, I called a supe there and thought I had made it perfectly clear that I wanted another rep (excuse me, sales engineer) assigned to my account, and was assured that this would happen - but it didn't. I got the same used car salesman.
Fuck the free candy, I ain't a sugarholic - three strikes, yer out. The fourth strike for Sweet would be when I was talking to the rep about getting the price down to anywhere near what GC would do for me, and he kept on insisting that part of the price was the 'great support' that I would get in case I needed it... I was like, ok, look - I can service my own stuff, thanks -I been in the business for over 20 years! If I can't do the work, there's a great electronics repair here near me.
Sometimes I am asked to outfit a new or remodeled bar/restaurant with a PA, lights, and backline. This can total up well over a hundred grand, and GC used to be my go-to for this transaction. Well, not anymore... After spending that much money per year over a decade or so at any business, I got used to what they called 10up which is basically that my cost is 10% over store cost. And that doesn't happen anymore, so I find deals elsewhere.
Sweetwater, I don't like as they screwed up my first two orders with them and then the rep acted like he didn't have time to deal with it. I was greeted with an advance replacement for my broken item that had an attached invoice that stated that there was a charge pending on my card that would be removed when they got the broken equipment back - and the charge was the full retail price of the item, not what anyone would pay for it. I was like... how insulting! You send me some broken shit, send me a replacement, and then threaten to charge me 3x the price I paid for it if somehow I don't return the broken POS to you?
After this, I called a supe there and thought I had made it perfectly clear that I wanted another rep (excuse me, sales engineer) assigned to my account, and was assured that this would happen - but it didn't. I got the same used car salesman.
Fuck the free candy, I ain't a sugarholic - three strikes, yer out. The fourth strike for Sweet would be when I was talking to the rep about getting the price down to anywhere near what GC would do for me, and he kept on insisting that part of the price was the 'great support' that I would get in case I needed it... I was like, ok, look - I can service my own stuff, thanks -I been in the business for over 20 years! If I can't do the work, there's a great electronics repair here near me.