I don't mean to bag on GC, but.......

[T-bone]

And just so you know, I'm a long time customer and have spent thousands of $$ there. However, over the past few years it seems as if I'm invisible. Today, I walked into two of their stores here in the greater Portland OR area, looking for a Big Al (dare I say it) 5 string. I walked out of both stores with zero contact from anyone. Not a greeting at the door, no one approached me while looking at basses, and no one said a word when I exited.

Now, as a 55 year old man with no tats, a regular hair cut (at least I still have hair ) and normal clothes, I'm thinking I must have completely fallen outside their demographic. Yet I have to admit, I'm somewhat surprised I had no contact from two different stores.

Dang, it's tough getting old......

tbone

[Grand Wazoo]

Hey T, next time you walk into one of them pretend like you are drunk and can't walk in a straight line, you'll soon see them coming over to you and when they do, quickly resume normal posture, straighten yourself up and surprise them, asking politely: "Yes, thanks, now that I've got your attention, I am looking to try a Big Al 5, do you happen to have one in stock?"

See them sh|tting themselves!

[Aussie Mark]

I walked out of both stores with zero contact from anyone. Not a greeting at the door, no one approached me while looking at basses, and no one said a word when I exited.

Next time, pull out a camera and start taking photos.

[Glen]

And just so you know, I'm a long time customer and have spent thousands of $$ there. However, over the past few years it seems as if I'm invisible. Today, I walked into two of their stores here in the greater Portland OR area, looking for a Big Al (dare I say it) 5 string. I walked out of both stores with zero contact from anyone. Not a greeting at the door, no one approached me while looking at basses, and no one said a word when I exited.

Now, as a 55 year old man with no tats, a regular hair cut (at least I still have hair ) and normal clothes, I'm thinking I must have completely fallen outside their demographic. Yet I have to admit, I'm somewhat surprised I had no contact from two different stores.

Dang, it's tough getting old......

tbone

Sorry to hear that. They could be running thin because of the holiday?

[Duarte]

Next time, pull out a camera and start taking photos.

LAWWWL!!!!

I hate being bothered in shops. I hate shop assistants. I want to be left alone. I thought everyone felt the same way?

[lorino]

LAWWWL!!!!

I hate being bothered in shops. I hate shop assistants. I want to be left alone. I thought everyone felt the same way?

That's a good trip to any music store for me (most other places too). I do not like being bothered. But, of course, I will complain when I do need someone to help me and they are not there

[sitonmybass]

I want attention only when I want it!

And I don't want attention when I don't want it!

How's that for a "rock star" attitude?

[agplate]

Yo Dude, hey Man, howzitgoin' Sport, what's new Boss, what's up Chief, Hey Tiger...

Who trains these guys? I'm so unlikely to spend $1500 on a new EBMM at a store like this. I've done it, but only by dealing with a Manager on the phone (Detroit rocks). I could only wish to be left alone with a cable. The floor staff rarely knows any detail about any specific gear....DUDE.

[T Alan]

Every time I walk into a GC with one of my EBMM 'Rays, I get all KINDS of attention ...like, "excuse me sir, you have to leave your case here" ...while they proceed to do all but a cavity search.
I do all I can to not shop at a GC. They are nothing like what they used to be years ago when I spent thousand$ there. You'd never think it the way they treat me when I go there.

[JayDawg]

I stopped buying from Guitar Center in 1995 when the store Manager tried to screw me over. Fortunately, I had a fellow customer buying two Gibson Les Paul guitars and he told the manager that if the guy refused to put two basses that I was looking at on layaway for me, even though layaway was store policy, he would be buying his two guitars elsewhere. The store manager agreed to only because that customer and others started pressuring him. I came back 1 month later and paid off both basses and never went back again. I actually just bought my first bass from a Guitar Center yesterday after a 15 year absence. But the one I had all of the troubles with was the one in San Diego. The one I was at yesterday was in Ft. Collins Colorado and they treated me right. They actually went out of their way to earn my business back. I bought another bass that was only exclusive to Guitar Center as a limited edition. It was the make and model of a brand that I have used for years prior to falling in love with Music Man basses. They gave me 15% off of everything and then did not charge me tax on anything so I caved and bought the new bass, a hardshell case, strap and straplocks. I also bought some more Ernie Ball strings and a Music Man t-shirt.

[bassmonkeee]

Meanwhile, I went into Guitar Center today and was immediately greeted by two guys in the guitar/bass department. I played a perfectly set up 25th Anniversary 5 string HH that they took off the wall and handed to me with a cable. When I was done playing, I thanked them, handed the bass back and watched them wipe it down before putting it back on the wall behind the counter.

But, I guess it's time for the weekly GC rant thread. Carry on.

[TNT]

I LOVE GC!!!!

They don't "bug" me unless I ask them a question.

Pretty much the guys who go there already "know" gear and what's up. I'm sure if you approached someone they would have been glad to help you out.

If you go in there looking like you need help, or you have kids, etc. . . they will normally migrate to you to assist. Bring in your grand kids next time!!

[maddog]

Seems like it's gone downhill since I left, eh?

You still checking out new basses? A Big Al, perhaps?

[five7]

Both stores I went in this weekend were great. One in denver and one in arvada. The one in arvada had the 2 classic 5s I tried setup perfectly. The store in denver you could shoot arrows off the 2 classic 4s and the big al I tried. Gonna be hard to sell them like that. The employees were just right in helping but not bugging.

[lorino]

Meanwhile, I went into Guitar Center today and was immediately greeted by two guys in the guitar/bass department. I played a perfectly set up 25th Anniversary 5 string HH that they took off the wall and handed to me with a cable. When I was done playing, I thanked them, handed the bass back and watched them wipe it down before putting it back on the wall behind the counter.

But, I guess it's time for the weekly GC rant thread. Carry on.

That's cool - its good to hear stuff like that. As with anything (retail, mfg, what-not) it has a lot to do with local management.

I'm a fan of GC - 90% of the time, they have what I need and are open. That's the key availability and opportunity. You build some relationships and that makes it better. As a whole, as a big-box mass merchandiser, I think they do a hell of a job. They serve a great purpose too - where are you going to see that much inventory in one place and the opportunity to play it? Again, that has its pitfalls - the wankasaurus in the corner, the banged up gear, etc.

I'm lucky to have a Guitar Center and a pretty large local shop, Cream City Music (www.creamcitymusic.com), within a mile of each other. Opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of business model, but both with large inventory - one locally owned, the other national.

Big box, local, specialty, etc. etc. - they all have their plusses and minuses. In the end, its about the people and the leadership.