Guitar Center . . . . sheesh . . .

Bigpig

Bigpig

Oct 9, 2015
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#1
So anyway, I've been looking for a duplicate 2 X 10 cabinet to complete my setup. Lo and behold, I found the one I'm after on the Guitar Center website used listings, and placed my order online for shipment from the store in California that had it to the GC closest to me.

It was listed as a 1 X 15 on the website, but the photograph was of a 2 X 10, so I called before ordering to confirm that, yes, it wasn't what was listed, but what was pictured. OK, so far, so good. Two weeks (!) after placing the order, the thing finally arrived, and I headed out to the store to plug in and check it out.

I play with my current cabinet turned up on its short side, and so I did the same with this cabinet before plugging in. What to my wondering ears should appear but a "clunk-clunk-clunk" of something heavy rolling around inside the cabinet. Seriously, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? A few more test turns, a few more heavy clunks . . . Onward!

After plugging in the budget short-scale bass they handed me, and in the process producing that elusive detuned elephant-fart tone that so many bass players strive for, I switched out for a new Fender Jazz and played a bit, before the Golden Moment of Duh arrived, as in, "No way in hell am I going to pay near-new prices for a cabinet that has at least one heavy object rolling around inside of it."

The refund process took just a minute and the guy I worked with couldn't have been more accommodating, but did anybody even check this thing before they shipped it out? Did anyone even notice? Geez Louise . . .
 
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#2
No and no. That'd add to the cost of doing business.
They roll those dice as much as you, when you buy something.
At least you had it sent to the store and found the problem right away.
Not nearly as bad as dragging it home and dragging it back.
And nice that the refund all went well.

Just too bad you haven't found your new cab yet.
It wasn't to be and something better awaits.
The universe fixes stuff like that, or it collapses in on itself and reboots.

Sheesh is right.
But folks just gotta quit expecting them be any more that the Walmart of music stores.
They just ain't wired to be any other way.
When you buy at a volume discount big box store you get volume discount big box service.

Fearless prediction: Another, better cab will pop up for you in the next ten days and you'll be glad things turned out how they did.
 
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#3
Sorry to hear about your experience. I have bought a lot from GC's used website and it can be real hit or miss. I bought an Eden WTB300V from them, called and asked to have the tubes removed, " sure thing man! ". They put it in a box four times the size of the amp with a mile of packing material and it still flopped around in there, tubes were also left in their sockets. Luckily nothing was wrong with the amp, I also bought their extended warranty just incase. They are a good source for finding used musical gear, you just have to cross your fingers sometimes......
 
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#7
About a Month ago I bought a Carvin B-1500 amp from GC New Jersey and had it shipped to my local GC. They called me when it came in and I went and picked it up. Got it home plugged it in to power and Cab turned it on and not a sound. Brought it back the same day and they spent 2 hours trying to figure out how to get it to work with no luck . So they gave me a refund including shipping . I looked on the website the next day and there it is for sale. Still there a month later I went in thinking maybe they had gotten it fixed. Hooked it up and still no sound go Figure.
 
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#8
Never thought I’d be in a position of making excuses for GC, but this might not be their fault. Few years back, I ordered a Carvin 410 and it had the same issue you describe. A magnet had fallen clear off the speaker. Turns out they use about three drops of glue to attach the magnet, no bolts at all. Cabinet got hot in transit or took a dive and that was the ballgame. This is one of many reasons that half of the company is dead and gone, I’m sure. Glued together bass drivers. What a world.

Anyhow, GCs weakness is that half their crap is broken, but their strength is that all of it is returnable.
 
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#15
Bigpig said:
"It's completely enclosed and appears to be filled with leathery objects, like . . . eggs or something."
Click to expand...
image.jpeg
 
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#18
Old Garage-Bander said:
No and no. That'd add to the cost of doing business.
They roll those dice as much as you, when you buy something.
At least you had it sent to the store and found the problem right away.
Not nearly as bad as dragging it home and dragging it back.
And nice that the refund all went well.

Just too bad you haven't found your new cab yet.
It wasn't to be and something better awaits.
The universe fixes stuff like that, or it collapses in on itself and reboots.

Sheesh is right.
But folks just gotta quit expecting them be any more that the Walmart of music stores.
They just ain't wired to be any other way.
When you buy at a volume discount big box store you get volume discount big box service.

Fearless prediction: Another, better cab will pop up for you in the next ten days and you'll be glad things turned out how they did.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's more cost effective to ship broken items across the country, process refunds and piss off customers than to do even the most rudimentary check of the things they sell. o_O
 
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