- Thread starter TheAntMan
- Start date
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
I have had nothing but good contact with GC personally, sure I know a little more about EBMM stuff than they do, around here anyway. BP you know I will spread the word throughout the Kingdom and I belong to a pretty big lefty community aside from here. EBMM offers us lefties more choices than any other company and I will not let that go unnoticed! 
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I worked for a brief period at a GC- Interesting "life experience", both good and bad...
In my instance, I got "lucky" got a gig on the road and all the big fun and adventure (wine! women! deafening applause...! ~ Also- miles of the road, being away from loved ones, and too many waffle houses...) Left GC never to return- except as a Customer!
There's a lot of turnover because it's not the easiest gig in the World!
Most of us who play can't/don't make a full-on living at it, so the alternative is to be in the MI biz, and since apparently EBMM won't hire us all as taste-testers....
Lot of non-sense from customers, from the other end of the tale at GC- not EVERYONE may be as nice as the Forumites are willing to be- and the work required to make a fair living rom GC- Absolutely- Potential is there- but you would really need to put it out there, on the Sales Floor, hustle! KNOW your product, KNOCK OFF the BS!! (it's a PROfession, sales that is, i.e PROfessional- Gottta drop the 'tude that you're a "playa" and look down your nose at the Consumer, give him or her respect as a Customer; this in spite of some less than admirable behavior on THEIR part at times!! !!
And you GOTTA work week-ends for sure to make the $$, and nights too, and follow-UP!
Having said that, there most def is upward mobility there- IT's for the really committed few who stay the course and do what's necessary to move up within the system- Kinda like making it in the music Business, in a way-
Booking and performing engagements and the accompanying business responsibilities is no picnic in the park-Those who suceed are usually not those who wait around to be "discovered"-Good luck with that! I've worked/toured with performers who've done the business end, and it takes a whole lot!
Without straying too far from topic- I spent MOST of my time selling the entry-level stuff that was for the beginner- You know what I mean- the low-end advertised packages, and that's cool. Generally when a player looked at a high-level axe like a MM or ..."others"- they were either wishful thinking beginners or at the other end of the spectrum, experienced players (like you! and you!) who knew about the new and existing models.
I sold a fair number of MM basses, and only a very few times did I need to tout them, as the buyer either knew-or if he didn't- I'd hand it to them and tell them to feel it; then play it! Usually that was enough! Pretty hard to play a 'Ray etc and NOT buy it if you're in the market and good to go!
GC is what it is- Every buyer should do their homework, the internet has the info, and yes the Salespeople should be more "on it",- The good ones are-
The rest usually take leave after a bit-
I remember- years back- EBMM was seeking (and I don't know if it was implemented) a part-timer to go to GC's and maintain their inventory; make sure it was well-kept, batteries in place, strings adjusted, etc.
Bottom line- it's up to the GC Manager to delegate stuff to do and make sure his sales staff is on the "Ball" (pun intended) to make sales and $$$$$-
THAT talks and a producing store yields BONUS! and advancement and customer happiness and mo' money and sales for MM to give us goodies, etc. etc. It's a GOOD thing!
End of lecture- Take five, then let's go over physical training!
In my instance, I got "lucky" got a gig on the road and all the big fun and adventure (wine! women! deafening applause...! ~ Also- miles of the road, being away from loved ones, and too many waffle houses...) Left GC never to return- except as a Customer!
There's a lot of turnover because it's not the easiest gig in the World!
Most of us who play can't/don't make a full-on living at it, so the alternative is to be in the MI biz, and since apparently EBMM won't hire us all as taste-testers....
Lot of non-sense from customers, from the other end of the tale at GC- not EVERYONE may be as nice as the Forumites are willing to be- and the work required to make a fair living rom GC- Absolutely- Potential is there- but you would really need to put it out there, on the Sales Floor, hustle! KNOW your product, KNOCK OFF the BS!! (it's a PROfession, sales that is, i.e PROfessional- Gottta drop the 'tude that you're a "playa" and look down your nose at the Consumer, give him or her respect as a Customer; this in spite of some less than admirable behavior on THEIR part at times!! !!
And you GOTTA work week-ends for sure to make the $$, and nights too, and follow-UP!
Having said that, there most def is upward mobility there- IT's for the really committed few who stay the course and do what's necessary to move up within the system- Kinda like making it in the music Business, in a way-
Booking and performing engagements and the accompanying business responsibilities is no picnic in the park-Those who suceed are usually not those who wait around to be "discovered"-Good luck with that! I've worked/toured with performers who've done the business end, and it takes a whole lot!
Without straying too far from topic- I spent MOST of my time selling the entry-level stuff that was for the beginner- You know what I mean- the low-end advertised packages, and that's cool. Generally when a player looked at a high-level axe like a MM or ..."others"- they were either wishful thinking beginners or at the other end of the spectrum, experienced players (like you! and you!) who knew about the new and existing models.
I sold a fair number of MM basses, and only a very few times did I need to tout them, as the buyer either knew-or if he didn't- I'd hand it to them and tell them to feel it; then play it! Usually that was enough! Pretty hard to play a 'Ray etc and NOT buy it if you're in the market and good to go!
GC is what it is- Every buyer should do their homework, the internet has the info, and yes the Salespeople should be more "on it",- The good ones are-
The rest usually take leave after a bit-
I remember- years back- EBMM was seeking (and I don't know if it was implemented) a part-timer to go to GC's and maintain their inventory; make sure it was well-kept, batteries in place, strings adjusted, etc.
Bottom line- it's up to the GC Manager to delegate stuff to do and make sure his sales staff is on the "Ball" (pun intended) to make sales and $$$$$-
THAT talks and a producing store yields BONUS! and advancement and customer happiness and mo' money and sales for MM to give us goodies, etc. etc. It's a GOOD thing!
End of lecture- Take five, then let's go over physical training!
Colin
Well-known member
I loved visiting Guitar Center in fact I was blown away so much I had to take photos of the visit (ask Pug) when a business is that big you're bound to have a few hiccups. We are MM fanatics I wonder If we had as much knowledge of all the other brands we didn't like? What if this guy was only new?
TheAntMan
Well-known member
BP,
100% ready to help anyway I can.
Lay out the plan and I am ready to go.
-- Ant
100% ready to help anyway I can.
Lay out the plan and I am ready to go.
-- Ant
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Casey
You bring up a fantastic point......Nobody has pointed out what it is like from the salespersons perspective and the BS they have to take. WE do point out that GC gets blamed for the dinged stuff but in actual fact it is the consumers that are mistreatng the stuff.....If they mistreat the product I cannot imagine that they treat the staff any better. I am not making any excuses for anyone but this is a great perspective you have brought up!
You bring up a fantastic point......Nobody has pointed out what it is like from the salespersons perspective and the BS they have to take. WE do point out that GC gets blamed for the dinged stuff but in actual fact it is the consumers that are mistreatng the stuff.....If they mistreat the product I cannot imagine that they treat the staff any better. I am not making any excuses for anyone but this is a great perspective you have brought up!
Freddels
Well-known member
My wife works at Nordstrom and she sells fragrance. She knows all about every product in her dept. She can tell you all the notes in each fragrance. You tell her what you like and she can suggest other fragrances that she thinks would be appealing to you based on your likes (and the notes of the fragrances that you prefer). Not sure what you like but you like what you have on and don't know the name of it, she can smell it and about 99% of the time, tell you what it is. Describe a perfume bottle and she'll probably be able to tell you what it is and even that it's been discontinued for about 5 yrs.
She's one of the better sales people. Knowledge of your product gets you sales.
So, I think the GC employees could easily learn about the products in their departments.
It really IS a two-way street, Sterling.
I remember spending time "merchandising"- straightening up gear, getting it looking good, making sure the amps are hooked up right so players can try their MM's thru them!- and so on- Only to find by lunchtime- Disaster!
And the process begins anew- I've seen people whacking away on a $3000bass with no intent to buy and no regard for it's finish, etc...So----
The Customer is always right, and so on-
But when you go to GC, sometimes you get back what you put out-
Sometimes!
and it IS a good place to buy MM's!
Caca de Kick
Well-known member
As a side note: Long Lee is the wrong last name...it's Long Ly. When I lived down there, I dealt with Long at all the stores he worked at, great guy, awesome bassist!
Back on topic....
My issue is not with the catalog knowlege of GC sales people...it's the generally sad state of instruments not being setup at all. It makes it very hard to try out guitars and basses when the necks are curved like a banana, and/or the strings are an inch above the fretboard. I've watched employees unpack basses, just hang them on the wall and walk away, didn't even tune them up or anything. I've been turned off by basses I usually like.
I frequent the two south-end GC's almost weekly, and while I'm sitting there noodling on a bass, it never fails that everytime some other customer comes over to ask for my help or 'expertise' on "why is this bass is hard to play", or "it doesn't sound right", or "is it supposed to be like this?"
Back on topic....
My issue is not with the catalog knowlege of GC sales people...it's the generally sad state of instruments not being setup at all. It makes it very hard to try out guitars and basses when the necks are curved like a banana, and/or the strings are an inch above the fretboard. I've watched employees unpack basses, just hang them on the wall and walk away, didn't even tune them up or anything. I've been turned off by basses I usually like.
I frequent the two south-end GC's almost weekly, and while I'm sitting there noodling on a bass, it never fails that everytime some other customer comes over to ask for my help or 'expertise' on "why is this bass is hard to play", or "it doesn't sound right", or "is it supposed to be like this?"
Big Poppa
Well-known member
bring a wrench Mike! Help the old popster out! thx
Caca de Kick
Well-known member
kirkm24
Well-known member
+1
While I know it is difficult to be an expert on every product you offer, the more you know about the product the more you'll be able to sell. It is to the advantage of the GC sales staff to take initiative and learn the products inside and out. Whether it be Fender, EBMM, Ibanez, etc. you should learn about the product and be able to assist customers with any questions they might have. The bottom line is it would be in the best interest of the sale staff to learn as much as they can about the products they are going to be selling. I guarantee they would increase their sales numbers if they did this.
Enough of my business lecture. I am involved in sales as my day job so I appreciate threads like this.
if i may add my little grain of salt....
i never been in a GC before, but i've been reading about it here for a long while. So i don't think i'm qualified to comment on their CS.
I've been dealing with an non music related company CS recently and that was a terrific experience. Not to name it...Apple computers. I had a problem with my laptop and took an appointment with an Apple Genius at my local apple store. These guys aren't the front row sales people but are there as the most knowledgeable folk. Let me tell you that it is very VERY nice to be helped by someone that really knows their stuff. I don't think i've seen anything like this elsewhere and i honestly think some stores could take some notes on how this model works out great. They seem to have the knowledge and power to help the customer out. It's sometimes difficult to get an appointement since they are in demand. But it's really worth it.
I'm not saying that GC sales people should all become an equivalent of apple geniuses, i was just providing a positive example for what i think is really good customer service.
i never been in a GC before, but i've been reading about it here for a long while. So i don't think i'm qualified to comment on their CS.
I've been dealing with an non music related company CS recently and that was a terrific experience. Not to name it...Apple computers. I had a problem with my laptop and took an appointment with an Apple Genius at my local apple store. These guys aren't the front row sales people but are there as the most knowledgeable folk. Let me tell you that it is very VERY nice to be helped by someone that really knows their stuff. I don't think i've seen anything like this elsewhere and i honestly think some stores could take some notes on how this model works out great. They seem to have the knowledge and power to help the customer out. It's sometimes difficult to get an appointement since they are in demand. But it's really worth it.
I'm not saying that GC sales people should all become an equivalent of apple geniuses, i was just providing a positive example for what i think is really good customer service.
GHWelles
Well-known member
It would be great to have GC boost attention to EBMMs. The EBMM instruments come out with perfect setups so they actually should have an advantage in a GC environment.
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Big Poppa
Well-known member
they are now thank goodness
kirkm24
Well-known member
I stopped by the GC in Columbus, OH yesterday and checked out their EBMM selection. They had a Sterling, a couple of Stingray 4's and a couple of Stingray 5's. I tried out or looked all of them over and they were all in excellent condition. The action was set well, there was no fret sprout on any of the models they had and they all sounded great amplified which would indicate that the batteries were all still fresh. The salesguy was nice and helpful although I didn't buy anything while I was there.
They had a separate bass sting section in their bass department and they had plenty of Slinky's front and center on display in the new sealed packaging.
And without sounding biased and being as objective as possible, I can say that the EBMM's really were the sharpest and most polished looking basses on the shelf. Without looking at the headstock my eyes were immediately drawn to the EBMMs because of their standout polished finishes. I left the store with a good impression and think that this particular location is handling the EBMM product line pretty well. I was also impressed to see that they had a variety of pickup configurations and colors available.
I've had bad experiences in this store in the past but they seem to have got their act together lately.
On a side note, yesterday was the first time I had ever really played a Stingray 5 and run it through the paces. In all these years, I had only ever really played the 4 string version. Those are mighty fine basses and very comfortable to play.
They had a separate bass sting section in their bass department and they had plenty of Slinky's front and center on display in the new sealed packaging.
And without sounding biased and being as objective as possible, I can say that the EBMM's really were the sharpest and most polished looking basses on the shelf. Without looking at the headstock my eyes were immediately drawn to the EBMMs because of their standout polished finishes. I left the store with a good impression and think that this particular location is handling the EBMM product line pretty well. I was also impressed to see that they had a variety of pickup configurations and colors available.
I've had bad experiences in this store in the past but they seem to have got their act together lately.
On a side note, yesterday was the first time I had ever really played a Stingray 5 and run it through the paces. In all these years, I had only ever really played the 4 string version. Those are mighty fine basses and very comfortable to play.
bkrumme
Well-known member
They're not MM dealers (I so wish they were), but GC should take a look at Sweetwater...They provide ongoing training for their employees so they know the products that they are selling. Basically, they have a team of "experts" who keep track of all the new products, new technologies, etc. and hold training sessions for the salespeople on a regular basis. This keeps everyone up to date on the products they sell so they can provide the solution their customer needs.
Maybe GC could do something like this with their computer training system? Or maybe even have a person in each store who does this research? They wouldn't have to hire anyone new, they could designate a senior member of the staff to do it...and even rotate the responsibility on a monthly basis or something of the sort.
Maybe GC could do something like this with their computer training system? Or maybe even have a person in each store who does this research? They wouldn't have to hire anyone new, they could designate a senior member of the staff to do it...and even rotate the responsibility on a monthly basis or something of the sort.
kirkm24
Well-known member
Sweetwater is an awesome company. I have dealt with them on other occasions and their people really know what they are talking about. I guess they assign a guy to each state or something because I always deal with the same guy everytime and he always knows the gear I have (they talk to you and must document the conversation in their system).
MingusBASS
Well-known member
I actually work for Sweetwater. I dream of the day that we become a Music Man dealer. To me, it seems like a perfect fit. I hope that day comes.
I won't say anything bad about GC, they just do things differently and they are a much larger company than Sweetwater.
We work on a relationship basis. Each customer has a Sales Engineer that they work with. I do business with clients from all over the country and the world daily. Sweetwater has very high standards for the people they hire and because of that I work with some amazing people. They take very good care of us here. At least twice a week we have training on the latest gear from the manufacturers. It keeps us up to date and gives us hands on experience with the items we sell. We are not perfect(No Music Man!?!?!) but I am extremely proud to work for Sweetwater.
I think it would be very difficult and expensive for GC to copy what Sweetwater has done. Like I said, we are a much smaller company. We are not a chain. We have one location in Fort Wayne, Indiana that is 353 employees strong. There are approximately 140 sales people.
Anywho...I also shop at GC when I can't get something here at work.
I won't say anything bad about GC, they just do things differently and they are a much larger company than Sweetwater.
We work on a relationship basis. Each customer has a Sales Engineer that they work with. I do business with clients from all over the country and the world daily. Sweetwater has very high standards for the people they hire and because of that I work with some amazing people. They take very good care of us here. At least twice a week we have training on the latest gear from the manufacturers. It keeps us up to date and gives us hands on experience with the items we sell. We are not perfect(No Music Man!?!?!) but I am extremely proud to work for Sweetwater.
I think it would be very difficult and expensive for GC to copy what Sweetwater has done. Like I said, we are a much smaller company. We are not a chain. We have one location in Fort Wayne, Indiana that is 353 employees strong. There are approximately 140 sales people.
Anywho...I also shop at GC when I can't get something here at work.
