A trip to some Guitar Centers

[NorM]

They advertised a rack mount DVD player. I needed a new CD player so I thought let's just upgrade so I can handle all formats. I got to GC, used their internet to Google the item, found the lowest price plus shipping. They matched it out the door.

It's a fact that some people always get bad service in resturaunts.

Please don't make this a GC bashing thread.

They have some things there I want.
They have a lot of things I don't want.
They don't have some things I want.
They don't have some things I don't want too.

I like to go in there with no expectations and an open mind every time. If you find one person you don't like the way they deal then they always have some one else. Even though there were no EBMM guitars in stock I still think the trip was a success.

At least they will let you haggle. Sure, do your research. Go in and make the offer. If they don't accept it just say thank you and go. You can go away angry if you want to and that's your choice.

 

[koogie2k]

I never had a problem with my local GC as all the dudes/dudettes are super cool and know what they are doing.

However, I only bought 1 JP-6 there. It was my first EBMM experience and I had to leave home with it right then and there. I got a decent deal, not the best, but at that time, I could care less....I got what I wanted.

I do buy my guitars from someone else. Just great service and pricing.

My bongo does not count, as it was a gift from my wife. She got that at GC and was treated extremely well by the staff. They do know who she is and who she is married to.

I support my local GC....for most other items and therefore have no complaints.

 

[rrhea]

Do you think your wife would buy me a Bongo?

 

[koogie2k]

Well, given that I am now home permanently, I would have to say.........um.....NO.

 

[GWDavis28]

My dealing wasn't bad with GC, I got my AL from them. I got a good deal, so I was happy with the experience. It's really the only big thing that I've bought from them, so far. I try to swing by there at least once a month to see what they have and if there are any really good deals.

I think I'll have to make a trip there tomorrow and see that they have. They're EBMM selection isn't usually very good. Though I am hoping from what BP has said in the recent past that they will start carrying more EBMM's.

I think I like the smaller more personal service from say, Pete, though I have as of yet to really buy anything from Pete or a Mom & Pop place.

I'll give them (GC) a chance and hope they change they're ways.

Glenn |B)

 

[DaveB]

I can't believe you guys are bitching about the price of a case. Get your best US price and convert it to UK pounds (and then add 30%) then you can bitch.



Dave

 

[kbaim]

I've spent well over 10K at GC in the last 3 years.

3 Lukes, a PRS, line6 1/2 stack, recording gear etc.

And I really used to enjoy going in there to play different guitars. Since discovering Music Man...I don't really go in there to play the other brands anymore. If they don't have an EB, I'll get my strings or whatever and be on my way.

 

[GWDavis28]

I can't believe you guys are bitching about the price of a case. Get your best US price and convert it to UK pounds (and then add 30%) then you can bitch.

Dave

Sucks being a non-american huh. Sorry man I couldn't help myself.

The only reason we are bitching is because we know that EBMM's come shipped with the cases and that's the way that EBMM sells them. Places offer the best prices by deducting the case price, let's say $100. But if you factor in that $100 they're prices are pretty close to most others.

Glenn |B)

 

[GWDavis28]

You know NorM I think I see why BP doesn't like you. I mean look at this thread, all from a visit from everyones favorite guitar/bass store.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Glenn |B)

 

[brentrocks]

My GC in kalamazoo, MI is pretty ok. I do have that used car lot feel though. BUT...the people are friendly, knowledgable and helpful.

I get strings there if i'm out and my wife is shopping....i'll have her drop me off at GC, i'll plug in a couple things...turn it up really loud so everyone in the store can hear me (they tell me to turn it down )

i dont think i would buy a guitar there...too many people touching, feeling, bumping, bashing...12 year olds playing $2000 guitars...you know.

 

[GWDavis28]

Brent, yah I get that exact same feeling. Nicely put!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I never shop there...no doughnuts with every sale...meeeh...

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

I approach GC's with the midset that they are filler that I need for immediate purchases. Mind you, my local GC just opened several months ago and they stock stuff that the other two reasonably well inventoried stores don't so I've already dropped a significant amount of money there. Unfortunately, all of the staff are rookies and don't really know anything about what they are selling. Even those that are veterans from the other stores are faced with trying to push inventory they have absolutely no idea or experience with.

Since I am a die hard EBMM addict, I don't get or expect to be able to try out my manufacturer of choice's guitars in a third tier market. My great fortune was the Open House where I got to noodle around with all of them. Models that I was never was even interested in I have purchased or they are on deck for purchase. I buy these where I can. Thanks Pete

My market is the $600 and below it gets to go. The high end stuff just sits and collects dust. The original two local stores keep their truly remarkable instruments in the back and will only allow hands on to those customers that they know can actually pony up and afford the purchase price. Profiling? Clic-ish? Yeah but those of us who want and can afford and instrument don't want the war wounded rack models that the starry eyed, inexperienced or inconsiderate players put through the meat grinder.

Call me conventional but I respect a stores' inventory. When I am going into a store to noodle around on a guitar, I take off my belt, my jacket and anything else that might mar the finish of the guitars I'm playing. I've seen kids with so much steel on them that It would take them two hours take it all off/out to get through an airport check point wailing away on a $3000 guitar that I understand these owners points.

Sorry for the rant and tangents - the response got away from me.

 

[Larry]

Call me conventional but I respect a stores' inventory. When I am going into a store to noodle around on a guitar, I take off my belt, my jacket and anything else that might mar the finish of the guitars I'm playing. I've seen kids with so much steel on them that It would take them two hours take it all off/out to get through an airport check point wailing away on a $3000 guitar that I understand these owners points.

Wow im not the only one who does this/thinks this also id rather travel the extra 30-40mins to a local mom & pop store and support them rather than a million dollar franchise

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

NorM, interesting thread I've been to the local GC a couple of times in the past month or two, just to check if they have any EBMM inventory. They have a lot of basses there, usually just under a dozen, but I have not found more than 2 guitars there... one new, one used, both Mystic Dream JP models.

Regarding my pricing:
All I can say is that I don't have a specifically set rate, because after I discount, sometimes I round up and sometimes I round down. This is only because I forget what I did the last time. Of course, sometimes I have a sale....

No further comments on my pricing because I can't/wont give details via the board.

It's not my job to be the lowest priced dealer out there, I'm not a clearing house. It is my job to be the best dealer I can be, and that's all there is to it.

 

[Roubster]

Look the store is good for what it is. There is a lot of stuff and a lot of room for many people to roam around freely and be amazed at what they have. This is basically like a toy store for people who dont know exactly what they want. I used to be that way as well, going in there and looking at all the Ibnez and Jackson pointy headstock guitars, and all that stuff. Now that I know what I want, I PERSONALLY dont enjoy GC as much. I dont hate it, but there is not much there for me. They dont deal Peavey amps, and they have 3 SUBs on the floor in different colors. I've seen a JP there maybe 3 years ago and since then NEVER. And last time I wen there I asked about EBMM guitars, and they guy tells me that they have a EVH EB signed for like 4k or something like that. I've had some funny experiences there which were very ridiculous, but that happens ANYWHERE in a huge place like GC. I personally like to go to a smaller store with 3 sales guys who are NICE and know their stuff and you can talk to them freely. Plus I would rather pay more money for a good instrument (i.e. EBMM ), rather than deal with BS.

P.S. Hey MrHyde, by the way you should check out Royal Music in LI instead of GC. I'm not exactly sure where it is, but you can look it up online. I talked to the guy who owns the place, and he is very nice. PLus he has MANY EBMM guitars in stock.
Oh yea, and dont forget those damn ear plugs!

 

[GWDavis28]

P.S. Hey MrHyde, by the way you should check out Royal Music in LI instead of GC. I'm not exactly sure where it is, but you can look it up online. I talked to the guy who owns the place, and he is very nice. PLus he has MANY EBMM guitars in stock.

I've bought from Royal and thought that they were high and didn't want to deal.

Glenn |B)

 

[MrHyde]

P.S. Hey MrHyde, by the way you should check out Royal Music in LI instead of GC. I'm not exactly sure where it is, but you can look it up online. I talked to the guy who owns the place, and he is very nice. PLus he has MANY EBMM guitars in stock.
Oh yea, and dont forget those damn ear plugs!

Thx man im gonna check that out right now, maybe pay a visit this weekend, if they have the JP6 like the one I order...can I cancel that?? so i can buy it there?? is there any charge or fee?

PS: Im gonna buy those damn earplugs this weekend .......I better or im gonna forget and my ears are going to regret it....

 

[MrHyde]

Originally Posted by Roubster

P.S. Hey MrHyde, by the way you should check out Royal Music in LI instead of GC. I'm not

MAAAN is far ...........and i dont have a car... , but for a MM...I'll take my chances

 

[SteveB]

As someone who jumped into this thread early, let me just clarify:

I'm not a GC hater by any means. I hate some of their policies (like the case sold separately) but they seem to be addressing that so I'm taking a wait-and-see on that subject.

I just said that my local mom-and-pop beats their prices for a new EBMM, by a margin that I feel is significant. Period.

(Okay, I also said that they're $20 more than everyone else on Pro Audio gear. That is my experience.)

They do have good prices for a lot of things, and some of their sale prices can't be beat. I don't go there often enough to get to know the staff, seems like I never see the same people there anyway, so the turnover might be a little on the high side.

I still consider them when I'm making purchases, though. I like to know all my options. It's just that more often than not, I can get a better deal elsewhere, without having to hang around the store all day trying to befriend someone.

I have never returned any large-ticket musical item, so the 30-day means nothing to me.