I`m gonna burn down guitar center...

  • Thread starter Thread starter AL P
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AL P

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I`m sure the following is probley not gonna be anything you`all have`nt heard before...but I just gotta vent for a minute here..(okay, this is a bit long, sorry..)

I`ve been unfortuneantly going to guitar center for years..every since they moved into town, and caused all our local family owned music stores to basically go out of biss..

first strike... but I can`t do anything about that, so I may as well start going there for my occasional needs..

anyway, a few years back I upgraded my DJ system a bit, got some new lights, AMP, speakers etc....(prior to that, me and my elderly father picked up a decent lil`acustic for my nefew)..and who knows what all else over the years prior to that even..
anyway..
of course I had to get a mini lecture by the counter guy on how I really "need monster cables to go with my amp & speakers, cause the sound will be so much better, this and that etc"..which I guess I can`t blame a guy for try`in..but I`ve been entertaining drunken brides maids, longer then he`s been alive probley..so I really don`t need a pimple face kid lecturing me on what I "need"..
but that`s okay, it`s not my first party, so I just rolled with the punches, and get what "I" want..

Next up..
I swing by the place to get a CHEAP guitar cord..NOT something that will be used for live shows or in a recording etc..but rather something I can let a kid beat up...I spot a live wire cord that`s the right lengh I want, which also comes with a life time warrenty, So I pluck it off the wall, and take it to the counter...the guy ask me what I`m using it for...(before I even answered I knew what was comming)..yet I still replied that I`m using this here guitar cord..for a ......"drum roll"...guitar cord!!!

and then it happen..he starts in about how, no you don`t want this, these are what you want, and he points out a frick`in $40 damn cord, and of course starts in on how much better it will sound etc..
Now, while I may not be the best guitarest around..to put it lightly, again, simular to the DJ thing, I`ve been making god awfull noises on an electric guitar, probley since his parents were kids..so..no, I don`t need a lecture on what cord I "need"...
so again, I just roll with the punches, and practically have to argue the fact that I just want the Puking cord, I put on the counter..

round three..(in this story/example anyway, FAR from over all)..anyway, next up is guitar strings...surely I can just walk in and get my favorite cheap strings without too much hasle right??..
WRONG...
I get to the counter...ask for a set of strings..just cheapo strings..guy says they don`t carry them, I reply that this is where I got the last set, at about the same time i picked up some DJ equiptment etc....he ask for my name, does a computor search, and says It does`nt show that I`ve purchased ANYTHING there.. other then a set of cords or something a couple years back..

REALLY????..no record of the DJ equiptment ehh??..bout $1500 worth of stuff, and no record? well I`ll be darn..
But whatever, I just ask the guy to give me a cheap set of light gauge electric strings....I`m fairly agravated, and will settle for just about anything that does`nt have rust on um..LOL..
any guess`es what hapened next?..yup, you got it..the infamous lecture started about how a much better a much more expensive set of strings will sound..
But I stuck with my guns, got my cheap set ohh`strings, and out the door I went..

now anything after this (actually well before this)..is my own ignorance for continuing to go back there....(without atleast popping a xanax first.LOL)

Round whatever...
I go in to get an EQ..they don`t have it in stock..yet it`s listed on their web site as bieng in stock, and ready to ship..i pay for the damn thing, then the guy says it`s on back order..well, that did`nt really bother me too much, as I`m in no hurry..

out the door I go..
about a week later, I realize I need a couple lil`adaptors, and a set of cords (RCA to 1/4 jack)...I`m real short on time, so I swing in, head right to the cords area, see what I`m looking for, but not the right lengh...
there`s TWO guys working right there..one right behind the counter messing around with something, not sure what, and the other about 5ft from the counter working on setting up a display of some kind..I grab the type of cords I`m needing (but wrong lengh) and step over to the counter to ask one of these guys if they have other lenghs in the back or wherever....I stand there..they both can not posibley miss me..yet nothing..no help..okay, now I`m eye balling the time, and realizing I`m VERY short on time..
YET....I just can`t resist standing there and seeing just how PUCKING long is it gonna take before one of these guys actually trys to help a customer..
well, that did`nt work out, as I stood there long enough to start having thoughts about wrapping the cord around one of um`s neck and choking the life out of um..LOL..
Finally I had to interupt their "play time" and ask about the damn cord...
well, after a few more minutes of fooling around, i finally got some help..if that`s what you want to call it..the guy just stood there looking at the cords, and confirmed what I already knew...they don`t have any 10ft`ers on the wall...well, I did`nt have any more time to spare so i just grabbed the next closest lengh, and called it good..luckily, these guys were too busy playing around with equiptment to horras me about not getting the most expensive cables they carry, so i made it out quckly after this..

last strike...
I go to log into my account to see where the hell my EQ is, and whats the latest on the back order...(I was told after a phone call made by the sales person, that it will be available on the 11th), or atleast that`s when their warehouse is expecting another shipment..well after the 11th went by the other day, I get an email saying sorry, your item is still on backorder..
so I go to log into my accout, and it says my password is incorrect..which I`m absolutly DEAD positive, it is not...but screw it..i go ahead and select the "reset pass word" option..I go through the motions, then a page saying "We're sorry, we are unable to display the change password page"..shows up..I`ve tried it countless times..same thing every time..
so i guess, I`m not gonna be able to check on a damn thing, and my account is shot to hell..which may be a good thing..LOL

sorry for the very lengthy vent..I`m just not having the best day, and frick`in guitar center is just adding gas to the fire I swear...

anyone got a match???
 
not that I have`nt said enough already...but i just have to add, that every damn time I`ve been there, getting help at the counter etc, is like pulling teeth..these guys just fiddle fattle with shit, and basically ignore ya I swear..
 
dude ..... I have no problem at all. Of course, I don't take it into my head to see how long it takes for them to get to me and then get mad if it takes a while.
I simply say, "hey ..... I wanna check out"

and when someone tries to upsale me (that IS their job) I simply say "No ..... I don't want them"

Really man ..... it's just a store like any other store. It's up to you to get what you want and say no to upsale pitches.
 
good points..and yeah your right..

I at first was just thinking it was kinda funny watching these guys fiddle around cluelssly trying to hook stuff up, and i figured I`d just entertain myself for a minute to see how long it took before they actually helped a customer...

anyway, i do understand their job is to sell as much, and as expensive stuff as they can..but it does sometimes agravate me, when they really push so hard..
I`ve never had these kinds of issue`s at my other favorite music stores..before they closed..

all that said, I don`t think their all the same..I`ve found that a simply request, and or just telling them what you want, in my store, is`nt always so easy..it can turn into a debate quick with a few of the guys at my local store..
now on the other hand, there is atleast one guy over there that seams pretty cool, non pushy, and is reasonable..
 
Yeah, I understand your pain man. Though GC is good for trying stuff out, I try to plan ahead and make almost all my purchases from Craigslist or an online store. Sweetwater tends to be my favorite, as they have almost always dropped their price just by emailing a sales rep. They don't have to pay some kid to show up everyday. When you do have to make that immediate purchase @ GC, throw on some crappy looking jeans, nasty shoes, and a ripped shirt, go before shower (with bed head/don't shave), and talk with a slur. They will assume you have no money and avoid their routine. Works great at the vet for my dogs too. :D
 
It's easy enough to say "excuse me" if you need some help.
 
GC sends me Xmas and birthday cards and the girl at the front counter offers me a blowjob every time I walk in the door.
 
c7sus said:
GC sends me Xmas and birthday cards and the girl at the front counter offers me a blowjob every time I walk in the door.
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Hey man! That's my girfriend!!!! Yeah, she is kind of a slut........

Carry on. :D
 
jimmys69 said:
Sweetwater tends to be my favorite, as they have almost always dropped their price just by emailing a sales rep.
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Man.
What are the magic words? I'll have to use them on my sales rep next time
 
jimmys69 said:
throw on some crappy looking jeans, nasty shoes, and a ripped shirt, go before shower (with bed head/don't shave), and talk with a slur. They will assume you have no money and avoid their routine. Works great at the vet for my dogs too. :D
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But what if that`s how I really do look, sound, and smell like normally??..LOL

Really though, I`m FAR from a guy who knit picks lil`things...and i comepletly understand when someone is a bit busy, and takes a minute to help ya with a question or check you out..
but when i repeatedly find myself standing at the damn counter with parts and pieces in hand..and..atleast two workers look directly at me, then carry on without saying a word...for lengthy periods of time..then i do get a bit grumpy..

I understand the saying "excuse me" if i need help..but it would seam like a guy who was hired to work the counter, would have enough common sence to eventually make his way to the counter to check someone out..or atleast say something like "hey, be with ya in a minute"..that`s all, no biggy..I`ll browse for a few..LOL

"excuse me..can I give you some cash for this item please, if you don`t mind peeling your self away from the DMX light board, that is confusing you tremendously"..LOL...

and to touch on the fact that they are suppose to try and sell items, which I defiantly understand that...the thing is..is just how far should they push..I mean, if you guys would have heard the convo on the guitar cord, you`d see what I`m saying..my post was already long as heck, and i had the feeling i was gonna drag it out even more, so I did`nt lay out every word for word of it..
but just to throw a little more info on that perticular convo, here it is..
after telling the guy I just wanted the inexpensive live wire cord, and him saying I should buy the gold plated fancey one..and then of course me repying that it`s just for a kid to beat up..he then started in about how the gold plated one`s also have better strain relief ends...which I then replied saying, "that`s cool, but I`m all set, I`ll just stick with the live wire for now"...
but did that end it??..nope..
he still had`nt began ringing me out, but rather started in on how if the kid steps on the live wire cord alot, it probley won`t last as long as the $40 cord...which I once again replied, "that`s fine, I`m not worried about it"..
did it end then? NOPE!!
he rambled on about how the "gold cords" also have a life time warenty, and no one hardly ever has had to return one, vs a few live wires bieng returned here and there..so am i sure I`m not interested in the gold cable?..I said for like the 4th time.."NO, I`m all set, thanks man"..
NOPE!! still not the end..the last thing he started to tell me about, was some fancy cords that they`ll be getting in soon, that are pretty expensive but their very very nice cords blah blah blah.. (I think he said something like $69??)..anyway, I kinda cut him off and said, no man, I`m set, but thanks anyway"..
I`m typically a very friendly & patient person..but sometimes, it`s a bit much..
after that he finally started ringing me out..

maybe it`s just me, but while I don`t mind hearing a suggestion or two and having to deal with a lil`sales pitch.., I really don`t like getting interrogated, and having to have a lil`mini debate before bieng able to make my purchase..

all that said..I`ll probley find myself over there again, cause there will be something or another, that I`ll just have to have right now..LOL..I won`t vent anymore about it though..or atleast I`ll try not to..LOL..

if the building is still standing at the end of the week that is..
LOL
 
AL P said:
But what if that`s how I really do look, sound, and smell like normally??..LOL
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Well then, I can understand why you got no service. lol.

Seriously man, when someone tries to sell you on something, just say "no, I know what I want, give it to me now beotch!". Then hit up my girlfriend at the front desk for a Jimmy discount. :D
 
Lt. Bob said:
Really man ..... it's just a store like any other store. It's up to you to get what you want and say no to upsale pitches.
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Exactly.

The key is to go in knowing what you want...and don't ask for help. :)

I never get bothered by the sales people. If one asks if I need help or whatever, I just say I'm good to go and if I need something I'll let them know.
 
Dude! you're on the internet for those kind of day to day things just on-line them they get sent to your door no hassle... I support my local store and have always put work their way even sometimes when it's cost me extra, IME these things pay you back in time, but I wouldn't bother going into a national - unless I'm stuck somewhere and need to kill a couple of hours.
 
jimmys69 said:
They will assume you have no money and avoid their routine.
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:D

The flip side of that is to go in looking like you really got your shit together and that you can afford anything they have.
Then you can just tell them what you want and they take care of you without any hassle. Most times as you try out the guitars and stuff, they walk by and just give you a "How's it going".

You just have to always avoid looking more lost/confused than the sales help. ;)
 
miroslav said:
:D

The flip side of that is to go in looking like you really got your shit together and that you can afford anything they have.
Then you can just tell them what you want and they take care of you without any hassle. Most times as you try out the guitars and stuff, they walk by and just give you a "How's it going".

You just have to always avoid looking more lost/confused than the sales help. ;)
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In the end, it comes down to 'who is selling what', I suppose. In any life situation, there is a point where you decide what you want, and get it. I believe it might be my age, but there is no salesman that can lure me into a sale that I didn't already plan on. Roles reverse, and I am negotiating his commission without him knowing it. I already know what I want and what I plan to pay, when entering a store. Any other employee at GC, other than the hottie at the door, should have no impact on a person who already knows what they want. Come to this forum or others for advice. Research the gear you want, and find out what it is actually worth. Buy from reputable dealers, or test used gear before you buy. Go to GC to look/listen/demo/or hit on hot chick at front door. Either way, go in there expecting what it has to offer, then go out for sushi. :D
 
miroslav said:
Exactly.

The key is to go in knowing what you want...and don't ask for help. :)

I never get bothered by the sales people. If one asks if I need help or whatever, I just say I'm good to go and if I need something I'll let them know.
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nail on the head
 
jimmys69 said:
I believe it might be my age....
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Yeah, age has something to do with it, but I think attitude also matters and looking like you're on a mission rather than lost in space. :D
When you're 17 and you walk into a music store....you just can't help looking like you are lost in space. ;)
 
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