How to effectively deal with Guitar Center

[Element Zero]

This. Like many areas of life, it's best to develop a good relationship with actual people. I have "my guy" at my local GC who has gone out of his way to make me happy. Just get to the right person, although I'm sure some stores are different, maybe starting at the top (store manager).

I honestly have no reason to go in there. I only do just to say what's up to the few people I still know. But yeah I understand. I was quite a few peoples "guy" when it came to bass gear and acoustic guitars.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I assumed you meant online. Compared to eBay? My god, I'd take GC all day long.

But, you're welcome.....

I've had to resort to eBay because of where I live (Sitka, Alaska). MF and other stores who used to offer free shipping to Alaska are now charging almost 33% of the cost of the product (i.e. amps). Sweetwater will send free shipping if you have "a personal rep (rolls eyes)" but I like that they try hard and send free candy.

I've found some pretty excellent deals on eBay but I always check the feedback, only buy from 100% positive except from eBay stores like Music123 or Musicians Friend-- they both rank less than 100% but I have accounts with both entities so it's easy to do returns-- they even throw in free return shipping.

What's hard to beat is the PayPal buyer protection. They don't fool around--at all! You say stop the payment, it's dead in its tracks until the issue is resolved to your liking. So, for me @guy n. cognito I find eBay more convenient than GC because I see actual pictures of what I'm getting, buyer protection, and seller feedback.

 

[Kitsapbass]

Here's my take -

We have an abundance of options for quality gear here in Seattle - Seattle Bass Shop, Emerald City Guitars, Mike Lull's shop.

I love doing business in these stores because there's an emotional connection between the customers and the owners/employees.

You pay a bit more, but you're going to get quality service by pros who "get it" i.e. have the same love for music and gear as you do.

It's a great feeling when you're doing business with people who have similar passions, knowing they want to see you happy and satisfied with what you are purchasing.


GC is where I usually buy strings because most of my string purchases are spur of the moment.

When I walk into a GC I get the same feeling I do walking into a Costco, which is "Ok, let's get this over with".

I have no connection to the employees, and vice versa. It's a "paper or plastic" kind of vibe.

But when you need something right before a gig, you can't beat 'em.

GC has saved my bacon more than a few times, in that regard.

Not just you man.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Here's my take -

We have an abundance of options for quality gear here in Seattle - Seattle Bass Shop, Emerald City Guitars, Mike Lull's shop.

I love doing business in these stores because there's an emotional connection between the customers and the owners/employees.

You pay a bit more, but you're going to get quality service by pros who "get it" i.e. have the same love for music and gear as you do.

It's a great feeling when you're doing business with people who have similar passions, knowing they want to see you happy and satisfied with what you are purchasing.


GC is where I usually buy strings because most of my string purchases are spur of the moment.

When I walk into a GC I get the same feeling I do walking into a Costco, which is "Ok, let's get this over with".

I have no connection to the employees, and vice versa. It's a "paper or plastic" kind of vibe.

But when you need something right before a gig, you can't beat 'em.

GC has saved my bacon more than a few times, in that regard.

It's interesting to me how different people can be. I think that's great and I get it, yet I'm the polar opposite.

The last thing in the world I want from my instrument sales people is that . I want to deal with the instrument only, don't want anybody else's input, info, or advice, and I want the absolute lowest price I can get. That personal connection with stores (had it for many years before the internet) goes south pretty quickly when I get nit picky or decide I want to return something after I realize it doesn't cut it the way I hoped in a gig sitauation.

Only exception I have to that is with the guy who worked in Rudy's bass dept in NYC back in the 90s that some people here know of. That guy was the best bass sales dude on the planet, and I really needed his help at that point in my playing. I don't need anybody"s help with purchases now. I'm quite certain I know more about what I'm looking to buy than they do.

That's why Musiciansfriend is pretty much the only place I deal with these days.

 

[RustyAxe]

I've found what works for me ... I just avoid GC altogether.

 

[InnerBass]

It's interesting to me how different people can be. I think that's great and I get it, yet I'm the polar opposite.

The last thing in the world I want from my instrument sales people is that . I want to deal with the instrument only, don't want anybody else's input, info, or advice, and I want the absolute lowest price I can get. That personal connection with stores (had it for many years before the internet) goes south pretty quickly when I get nit picky or decide I want to return something after I realize it doesn't cut it the way I hoped in a gig sitauation.

Only exception I have to that is with the guy who worked in Rudy's bass dept in NYC back in the 90s that some people here know of. That guy was the best bass sales dude on the planet, and I really needed his help at that point in my playing. I don't need anybody"s help with purchases now. I'm quite certain I know more about what I'm looking to buy than they do.

That's why Musiciansfriend is pretty much the only place I deal with these days.

You sound like a man of "absolutes" or "must haves" when it comes to your bass shopping Joe - good on you. Store owners can be really annoying sometimes, especially when you already know what you want.

But I keep in mind that sometimes they just like to talk gear because they love what they do. I have lost entire afternoons in shops just chatting and playing all sorts of different basses.

I've played a few brands I'd never heard of before I picked them up and then been knocked out by them. I've also returned basses that didn't work for me and I've always walked out with something that does.

Many years back I found a mid 90's Custom Japanese Tune Bass 5'er that way - and I still have it. I played every 5'er in the store before I picked her up - and then it was love at first thump.

That's why I love consignment shops - so many diverse / different basses to try.

I also like buying basses from fellow TB'ers - depending on what day of the week it is.





BTW - Chad Beeler at The Bass Shop in Seattle is the man - just sayin.

He's now opening up a Portland store, from what I can gather.

 

[Kitsapbass]

You sound like a man of "absolutes" or "must haves" when it comes to your bass shopping Joe - good on you. Store owners can be really annoying sometimes, especially when you already know what you want.

But I keep in mind that sometimes they just like to talk gear because they love what they do. I have lost entire afternoons in shops just chatting and playing all sorts of different basses.

I've played a few brands I'd never heard of before I picked them up and then been knocked out by them. I've also returned basses that didn't work for me and I've always walked out with something that does.

Many years back I found a mid 90's Custom Japanese Tune Bass 5'er that way - and I still have it. I played every 5'er in the store before I picked her up - and then it was love at first thump.

That's why I love consignment shops - so many diverse / different basses to try.

I also like buying basses from fellow TB'ers - depending on what day of the week it is.





BTW - Chad Beeler at The Bass Shop in Seattle is the man - just sayin.

He's now opening up a Portland store, from what I can gather.

I believe that's this weekend too because Bass Shop announced it via Facebook.

 

[pappabass]

[QUOTE="). I also like to cruise pawn shops.[/QUOTE]
Yeah me too. All my guitars except 1 has came from pawn shops. Plus most were good deals.

 

[mbasile]

I haven't ever bought much beyond strings from GC. I go in there to noodle around when I am getting lunch from nextdoor, but the guys at my local one aren't too bad. Their selection is still pretty bad, though it isn't quite as bad as the one to the north. I just wish they'd actually stock a wider range of amps, or at least set up a system for having a demo unit sent to the store.

 

[Bubble]

Put on a shoulder length wig, diamonds (faux of course) on black leather head band, red velour knee length coat, shiny black leather pants, diamond (faux of course) studded snake skin boots, walk in with right arm up at a 30 to 40 degree angle, thumb and little finger sticking out, and speak with a ritzy cozy voice to tell them what you want.