GC Nightmare: Now I know

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Mr. C

Mr. C

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Now I know what everyone is talking about when they say GC has horrible customer service. Back in September I order a Squier Telly online with PayPal. Shortly after ordering I received an email saying it was backordered (first strike). After waiting a week I called and they said the order would be in on Oct. 12. After not hearing from them I called again. "Oh, there weren't enough to fill your order, you'll have to wait a couple of more weeks" (second strike). So after two days I got pissed off and cancelled the order. "Your refund will take 4-5 days since it was PayPal" (in this day and age of computers, really?!!). Anyways it's now October 29 and still no refund in my account. I call tonight. "Yes the refund was made, PayPal takes a while to post, call them." PayPal, "No, no refund was made call GC back and get transaction # and date." GC, "Umm, can you hold for a minute....Well we are going to have to investigate this PayPal takes time to do refunds." Me, "Was the refund made." GC, "Well no, we need to look into why, but you know PayPal blah, blah, blah..." (third strike). What lousy service! And on top of that blaming PayPal for their own ineptitude. I complained about their service, you would think they would say, "Hey we're going to send you a coupon for %25 off your next purchase" or something like that. But no, just "We're sorry"...they should have added "We're sorry we're so inept at what we do!" Sorry for the rant. By the way, bought an Xaviere Tele from Guitarfetish for $151 (blemish, so inconsequential) and love it. Glad I didn't spend the extra $$ for the Squier.
 
I've had nothing but great experiences with GC. They just recently went above and beyond what they had to for me to make a big ticket sale happen. I was in the wrong, but they still made it right. They could have told me "tough luck" but they didn't. I've been buying shit from them since the early 90's. No complaints.
 
I bought a Martin from GC that needed to be set up. They wouldn't do it. Well, to be honest, one salesman wouldn't. He said it was already done. Eh, with that attitude, I wouldn't trust them to do it anyways, so I took it somewhere else.

I got the Xavierre Tele also, about a year ago. I sent that out to be set up also. Once I got it back, it played great. I even asked the tech to take off the stupid logo decal.
 
I hear ya, I bought my strat from them and it went well in the store. Maybe it's just online. Still they shouldn't take your money and then tell you the item is backordered. When you go to buy the item online it should automatically tell you it is out of stock and then let you make the decision whether or not to order. Also they should man up when they screw up and not blame it on someone else. Besides this, yes I've bought a lot from them and they have helped me out.
 
I don't care about the decal. I just care if it plays well and it does. There is some fret buzzing so I might need to adjust the neck some, but otherwise I can't see where this is inferior in any way to a squier or a mim.
 
If you ever have an issue with GC, ask for a manager at the store. I have never had an issue, once the guy in charge of the store is involved. The 'little' guys, are basing their income on commission. They are not the ones to deal with.

As far as online stuff goes, well, there you go. No handshake there....
 
If you ever have an issue with GC, ask for a manager at the store. I have never had an issue, once the guy in charge of the store is involved. The 'little' guys, are basing their income on commission. They are not the ones to deal with.

As far as online stuff goes, well, there you go. No handshake there....

Yup. Once you get the manager, you're gonna make out like a bandit. That goes for any retail chain.
 
If you're gonna buy a guitar from any store or from a private source you should damn well know in advance and be familiar with what it is you are buying and be familar how to set the guitar up to meet your particular set up requirements. It's not rocket science.
 
If you're gonna buy a guitar from any store or from a private source you should damn well know in advance and be familiar with what it is you are buying and be familar how to set the guitar up to meet your particular set up requirements. It's not rocket science.

Truth to that!!!
 
If you're gonna buy a guitar from any store or from a private source you should damn well know in advance and be familiar with what it is you are buying and be familar how to set the guitar up to meet your particular set up requirements. It's not rocket science.

I disagree. I shouldn't have to know how to set up a guitar for me to buy one.

It would be a good skill to have, but I won't take the time to master it. I do know how to set up a guitar, at least the basics, but I'd rather let an experienced hand do it.
 
What turned me off GC was taking in my old Fender Twin in to see about selling or trading towards another amp.

The guy that demoed my amp sat there bending the input plug in the input to break the signal while another clod was wanking on a guitar. Like I wouldn't notice. If they didn't want it all they had to do was say so. When I got home I pulled the chassis and had to bend the input jack back into proper shape. I won't buy any big ticket item from them now.
 
if you're gonna mail order from GC just use their mail order division Musician's Friend instead. They're set up for all mail ordering and I've bought many dozens of things from them with never a problem.
 
I disagree. I shouldn't have to know how to set up a guitar for me to buy one.

It would be a good skill to have, but I won't take the time to master it. I do know how to set up a guitar, at least the basics, but I'd rather let an experienced hand do it.

According 60'sguy, you better know how to rebuild an engine and transmission before you buy a car!
 
I hate to break it to ya, but pretty much every business on the planet does that.
I disagree with you on that Greg. I've never ordered online before and had someone take my money and then tell me they don't have the item. Most businesses tell you up front they are out of stock. I just think it's common courtesy not to take someone's money and then tell them you don't have the item...and on top of that lie about refunding the money. In the end I think Lt. Bob is right, I should have used MF as I have in the past. In store, I have never had a problem with GC so maybe it's just their online division.
 
I disagree with you on that Greg. I've never ordered online before and had someone take my money and then tell me they don't have the item. .

I have. Several times. Had it happen in brick-and-mortar retail places too. Here's what you do - use it to your advantage. Get something better for the same price. There's always a way. There's always a chain of command. Eventually you'll get to a guy that's wondering why the peeons beneath him didn't take care of your problem. Not only will they take care of you, they'll make everyone that told you "no" pay for it in one way or another.
 
Did you cancel the transaction.. I know the G.C here will give you 30 days to cancel any transaction.

imho I'd save up more money and if your going to order a telecaster on line , check out the Bill Lawrence Swampkaster T . It sells for $699.00 plays, and sounds better then my custom G & L, I paid a lot more $$ for.
T
 
GC stores can be hit or miss, especially for guitars. Find one that knows what they're doing and have a knowledgeable guitar tech on staff. Mail orer is a whole 'nother ballgame.
Bringing in a good amp for trading at a GC is being lazy - you can do a lot better selling on Ebay (local sale only) or Craigs List - remember, GC's got to mark it up to make a profit, so they're not going to give you fair market value.
 
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