A trip to some Guitar Centers

[NorM]

While I was on travel last week I had the opportunity to visit a couple of GC’s outside my area. I went into the first store and asked, “Where are the EBMM Guitars?” The response came back, “We don’t have any but we can order them. Which one do you want?” I told them that I was just really interested in seeing what they had and admiring the works of art that I consider to be “My Guitars”. The salesman didn’t know if they had any on order but that’s understandable what with 1000 guitars in the store and all. They did have a couple of basses though including a sap black moonstone Bongo. I really like that color combination.

Off to the next GC. “Where are the EBMM Guitars?” The response came back, “We don’t have any but we do have a Peavey Wolfgang.” Fair enough, they are salesman. Since I had to kill about an hour I asked to play a PRS. They are nice guitars and if I didn’t play EBMM I think I would play PRS. But they are still two different guitars like night and day. In determining which one to play they handed me a 24 fret double cutaway 20th anniversary model. Mahogany back and neck, rosewood board and a quilt top. It was nice but it wasn’t an oil and wax finished all maple neck with an alder body which is really what I prefer. Just my choice.

I really loved telling the sales guy that Sterling promised me a 20th anniversary Silhouette. And how much I was looking forward to it. It just made me feel good. He asked, ”You know Sterling Ball”? I was proud to say “YES!” I know him, I even think he knows who I am. I don’t think he likes me but that’s understandable. He’s not required to like me to build my favorite guitar. Besides, sometimes I am not a likeable person. For the record. I think Sterling is way super fantastic cool!

Then I saw the GC Flyer yesterday I ripped right to the EBMM spot in the catalog first thing. Listed were StingRay basses and (drum roll please) Rosewood Axis Super Sports. Both were priced (what I would consider to be) reasonably in the catalog. Then something caught my eye about the ad. For both items listed were two words (increase the intensity of the drum roll) “Case Included!” I guess the squeaky wheel got the grease there. I just feel like BP and the corporation were listening to the family. Just made me feel good.

Thanks for letting me share.

 

[SteveB]

Saints preserve us!

Ohmigosh!

GC is actually including the case in their pricing? I wonder if this is a chain-wide directive? Have we really been heard?

If so, I will definitely give GC another look next time I'm buying a guitar. It's always good to vote with your dollar, after all.

 

[EightmanVT]

I just wish they would take their dang sales guys off of commission...just give them an hourly wage. It's like walking onto a car lot sometimes.....

 

[Sapphireskiss]

I picked up a used Ibanez Artcore AK85dvs at my local GC and they still charged me extra for the case that the first owner had bought for the guitar when he purchased it. When I asked about it, the guy dropped $10 bucks off the price but since I was getting a decent price for the guitar, I did the deal but it definately left a bad taste in my mouth about their extra charge for the case crap.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Look -

as unbelievable as it might seem, there are plenty of people who DON'T want to buy a case when they buy a guitar. Plus you can advertise a lower price if the case is not included in the advertised price. These are the reasons the case is separated out at GC. You still pay less for guitar and case then you do for both anywhere else. Period.

 

[dan desy]

Uh, excuse me... I'm not a GC basher. I love having them close by when Ineed something. But...

In yterms of pricing, and service, thy're pretty much at the bottom of the list. Prices at GC are quite high, compared to well established non-chain stores around the country. Sure mom and pop's music will probably be pricesd higher. But it's not hard to find a place with excellent service, knowledgeable sales people and way lower prices.

Case in point, specifically for EBMMs: DuBaldo music. I doubt I'll ever buy a new EBMM from anyone else.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Really? Because I emailed Pete about pricing and he was right in line with what I would pay at my GC, except he was just a hair more expensive.

Interesting.

It's SO easy to rip on GC, isn't it? The truth is, GC is a great placec to BUY, not shop. What do I mean? Don't do your research there, that is what the internet is for. Know EXACTLY what you want and EXACTLY how much you want to pay for it. Find a good salesperson (the one who looks very busy. Be patient until they are available.) Tell them exactly what you want and what you want to pay for it. They will look it up and tell you yes or no. And then they may try and haggle. Want to avoid haggling? Here's how:

1. If in Pro Audio, usually pay the GC price. Why? This stuff is so competitive that prices are already at just above cost. Not much room for haggling. When they say you won't find a better price, it's because generally, one doesn't exist.

2. Do not shop for tubes at GC unless you know exactly what you want. The accessories department usually has all the salespeople who are waiting for someone to leave the guitar floor so they can go sell guitars. As a result, not many people in those departments have an interest in what they are doing. This is the department where YOU need to know FOR CERTAIN what you want more than any other.

3. Pricing. How do you get the best price? Like this: Find the list price - the MSRP - not the GC selling price. Take that price, divide by two and then multiply by 1.1. Take that figure and multiply by 1.1 again. Take that number and mulitply by 1.0XX (where XX is your local amount of sales tax). That should be the best price you can get, in general.

Bottom line. Do your research first. Know what you ought to pay. Find someone who knows what they are doing, even if it takes time to get to that person and don't be afraid to ask for the sales manager either if you are worried your offered price is too low. Most Sales Managers will be more than happy to help sell you stuff if you are prepared and come in with reasonable expectations on pricing.

Like I have found, there is no better place to buy if price is your concern. If you want to go hang out and talk gear, go to the mom and pops, unless of course you are a kid or look like you don't have money. But let's not go there just now.

And which of those mom and pops is it that you can take gear home and to a gig for 30 days to make sure it works? Just curious.

 

[dan desy]

Like I said, I'm NOT a GC basher. Ever. I am just sharing my personal experience with pricing.

I'm with you on a few points though. When I go to GC to buy, I know more than the salesdood, and I never expect him to be helpful beyond cutting me a deal and checking me out. When I get a good guy (or girl) it's a bonus. So yeah, I do my research before I buy there.

I still like GC just for browsing and checking out new stuff.

You may get as good a price at GC as elsewhere - as long as you haggle. When I buy, I don't want to haggle. Just give me the best price right out of the gate. That's what the places I'm talking about do. They're not giving me a special deal. Everyone gets that same deal, no hassle.

 

[SteveB]

These are the reasons the case is separated out at GC. You still pay less for guitar and case then you do for both anywhere else. Period.

If you believe that, I've got some Florida 'coastal' land to sell you...

My local mom-and-pop shop beats GC by HUNDREDS of dollars on a new EBMM, and that's with my shop including the case while GC wants more $. You can call/email them and get a quote, if you like. (www.pnsmusic.com)

I believe it when you tell me that some people want to buy a guitar without a case, but I've never met one.

Edit:

And I never pay GC's prices on pro audio gear because they're always $20 more than everyone else in town.

 

[Norrin Radd]

If you believe that, I've got some Florida 'coastal' land to sell you...

My local mom-and-pop shop beats GC by HUNDREDS of dollars on a new EBMM, and that's with my shop including the case while GC wants more $. You can call them and get a quote, if you like.

I believe it when you tell me that some people want to buy a guitar without a case, but I've never met one.

Edit:

And I never pay GC's prices on pro audio gear because they're always $20 more than everyone else in town.

And the name of the place is.......???? And I contact them how?

 

[edensdad]

Man you've put a lot of thought into that. I purchased a Martin at GC and got a really good price, lower than any internet site, including tax. They have good quality Acoustics, like Taylor and Martin. They also have a few good electrics, but none I'm interested in.

In Florida we also have Sam Ash - every MacDonald's needs a Burger King. I bought my cube at Sam Ash - when I took out my JP6 to test the amp, every guitar guy in the store came over and drooled looking at it asking me about it. (It's Envy Green, which I guess is pretty unusual)

>^..^<

 

[SteveB]

And the name of the place is.......???? And I contact them how?

See edited post above. Ask for Jason the guitar dept manager. Get his price in writing and get a better one from GC in writing. And I'm not talking about during one of GC's holiday 'sale' days... I'm talking any day of the week price.

 

[dan desy]

Man you've put a lot of thought into that. I purchased a Martin at GC and got a really good price, lower than any internet site, including tax. They have good quality Acoustics, like Taylor and Martin. They also have a few good electrics, but none I'm interested in.

In Florida we also have Sam Ash - every MacDonald's needs a Burger King. I bought my cube at Sam Ash - when I took out my JP6 to test the amp, every guitar guy in the store came over and drooled looking at it asking me about it. (It's Envy Green, which I guess is pretty unusual)

>^..^<

Define "any internet site". Musicians Friend belongs to GC.
I bet you could find a better price at a non-chain affiliated store.

 

[dan desy]

See edited post above. Ask for Jason the guitar dept manager. Get his price in writing and get a better one from GC in writing. And I'm not talking about during one of GC's holiday 'sale' days... I'm talking any day of the week price.

Watch it, Steve. He might be a spy for GC...


I'm just KIDDING!

By the way, anybody who likes to spend their money at GC, that's perfectly fine with me. I spend my share there as well. I'm just arguing that I prefer the prices and service elsewhere.

 

[Adwex]

Personally, I use GC/Sam Ash for research, not buying....guitars, that is. Actually I don't have alot of experience with this as I only really have 1 "good" guitar. I tried a bunch at GC/SA, decided what I wanted, then waited for one to come up on ebay.

GC/SA price = $2400-$2600
my ebay price = $1700

 

[Larry]

Personally, I use GC/Sam Ash for research, not buying....guitars, that is. Actually I don't have alot of experience with this as I only really have 1 "good" guitar. I tried a bunch at GC/SA, decided what I wanted, then waited for one to come up on ebay.

GC/SA price = $2400-$2600
my ebay price = $1700

i really never took the ebay adventure because i like to see it i guess i just dont trust people but i like to look at whatever i buy if its used their mint and my mint are different i guess

 

[phatduckk]

i dont hate GC at all. they are what they are. IF they have what you want in stock you can usually get a good deal if you talk to the right guy.

 

[rrhea]

Here in Memphis, the GC is the only place we have to get a good price and service. The only few M&Ps left are really bad... I mean service-wise. Usually I hate the "Wal-Marts" of the world coming in and killing the local biz, but here we really did need a GC. I mean strings locally were up to $8 a pack at one point! As soon as GC came along, bam, $3.50 a pack, overnight. GC has really brought gouging down to almost nothing on accessories and even instruments in our market.

The one place that has all good dealer arrangements is a small hole-in-the-wall and everyone there is a dick, including the owner. They are the only PRS, Boogie and Anderson dealership in the area. And none of those companies will give the local GC a dealer status because of this guy. He is doing well, and I commend him on kicking butt in a GC market... so many familiy businesses have been swallowed whole by GCs. But I just refuse to go back in there, even though I've bought a couple of guitars from this guy... I won't do it anymore. They still have that "why should I do business with you?" type attitude that I remember so many M&P stores used to have (like back in the 80's).

If you're not in a known band about to get a deal, or if you're not in the special "click" of customers that likes the same music and gear you are bascially crapped on... that is what this sad little place is like (I'm just too old for that ****). But, they have their customer base and continue to thrive. I just wish we had something like Pete's store here. I would never need to to go GC ever again.

The main thing that irritates me about our GC is that they stock so much crap. I have been begging for an Axis or a Luke or something high-end. Whenever they get something like that me or a handful of other guys always buy it. I just don't understand why they have eight $4k Les Pauls (that haven't sold since I've been going there) and 800 Fender strats of varying levels and zero high-end EBMMs or Ibanezes or something else out of the ordinary. And it doesn't get more ordinary than Gibson and Fender

RR

 

[MrHyde]

I had my share of "GC" too guys, and let me tell you...it wasn't pleasant, I totally regret ordering my JP6 over there...if only I knew better.....I would have done it in Rudy's for example in mahattan, client service sucks big time, they don't seem like the know what they are doing, or I don't know how "experienced" they are... For example : there was this lady with her little kid and all she needed was a freaking screw for one of the saddles cuz the kid was toying with it and miss it, the guy wanted to charge like $50 bucks plus parts and what not to this lady, when all she needed was a screw!, he wanted to change the whole thing.... that's not right, if I wanted even I can make that kind of stuff, the only thing that was missing was the friggin' screw...... Plus, I had to wait of like 2 hours to complete the order cuz the guy was walking up and down making other stuff too......and the manager was a profetional *sshole. i was really pissed off, after my JP6 arrives im never going to that place even if it means that I have to take a 1 hour train to manhattan just to buy a set of new strings...

 

[Larry]

they wanted a down payment for them to transfer a axis over there so i could try it and see it other than taking their word that it was good on the floor model scale. If any of you have ever seen the guitars on the floor they look like they have been through WWII.