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

[JayDawg]

I appreciate that boombox. My only complaint about the Ft. Collins Guitar Center was their lack of selection. Not with just Music Man basses but every other brand too. Now granted, they are a smaller store so I wasn't to upset but I was really hoping to see at least 1 Big Al or Bongo as I have never played those before. If my two guitars sell this week on ebay, then I will have my Bongo shipped out next week but after the Bongo is bought, the next one I buy is going to be a Big Al.

There is an acoustic bass that I am interested that Guitar Center sells but none of them seem to have it in stock. They have all said they can special order it but I have to pay everything up front first. I am hesitant to do that though. While I like the style of this acoustic bass, I would really like to play it first to see if it sounds good enough for me to spend the money on it. I'm also not sure of if it would have the money back guarantee because they would be ordering it.

 

[BassMent]

My complaint with the GC's near to me (Warwick RI and N. Attleborough MA) is that they rarely have any EBMMs in stock (occasional Stingray 4 or SBMM Ray), and on the odd occasion when they get something really cool, like that GC Anniversary model in black cherryburst with the ebony board, it's invariably got scratches, dings, missing knobs, etc.

However, at both of these stores I am invariably greeted at the door with a big smile and "hi" from some adorable young woman with a heavy metal t-shirt and a sassy hairdo, so I'm good in that area!

The San Diego (La Mesa) store has more EBMMs than I've ever seen in one GC. If I'd had the $$$ when I was there last, I wouldn't have known which one to buy.

 

[ZiggyDude]

I am not bi*** about GC when I write this rather just making a sociological observation.

I am also in the same demographic. Overall - I think that the workers know us older farts have cash so they put up with us - but don't really respect the experience in gigging we have.

Overall - you tend to be what your buying history is. They recognize you then. There was a time I bought so much I could walk into Mars or GC in the Baltimore area and just ask "What is my take home price" and the numbers were - well - sometimes astounding. But the local GC they know who I am but the pro pricing only comes with haggle and internet shopping printouts. I really hate doing that - but since I don't play as often as before I really need stretch the gig bucks at the store.

They don't carry the Bongo anymore - so about all I get is strings and used gear. I tend to go to the "Mom & Pops" for that stuff if I can.

I have learned to go out of my way to be friendly with the folks that do know me. Talk a bit and say hi. Make my visit rewarding for them. Random acts of kindness can take you far!

Just my 2 cents..

- Ziggy -

 

[lowliferumble]

So this really wasn't meant as a complete bitch session against GC. As mentioned, I've spent thousands there and could again. I like GC and like the fact they're big enough to solve most any problem. I'm just amazed I could walk into two different stores with zero interaction. Not even a greeting at the door. Which makes me wonder:

a) I really am starting to look my age
b)They're too busy with the 16 yr old with Daddies credit card
c) My breath?

Yes, it's Memorial day, and yes, they were busy. But too busy to even greet or say goodbye? Naw, that's just poor customer service. Have you been in an Apple Store lately? For me, that's the new model in retail.

tbone

Every time I've been to the Clackamas and the Beaverton GCs I do my best "Shoplifter Act" and I always get their attention then!!

 

[Big Poppa]

OK I love these I really do. It is so easy to bash Guitar Center for a policy....lets just take the bringing a case into the store.....

It is easy to think they are doing this to punish you....Dont blame GC blame thieving rip off artists who used this trick to steal instruments. Usually when there is a rule you dont understand start by thinking somebody must have caused them to make this rule. Its sort of like blaming them for damaged guitars...its the customers that damage them.

I dont like being called "Dude" and "Bro" I dont like dirty instruments but I think Guitar Center is way better than it used to be and also we are all spoiled...Im old enough to remember a life without Guitar Center

 

[RocketRalf]

OK I love these I really do. It is so easy to bash Guitar Center for a policy....lets just take the bringing a case into the store.....

It is easy to think they are doing this to punish you....Dont blame GC blame thieving rip off artists who used this trick to steal instruments. Usually when there is a rule you dont understand start by thinking somebody must have caused them to make this rule. Its sort of like blaming them for damaged guitars...its the customers that damage them.

I dont like being called "Dude" and "Bro" I dont like dirty instruments but I think Guitar Center is way better than it used to be and also we are all spoiled...Im old enough to remember a life without Guitar Center

+1. I wish we had GCs here. Every time I walk into my local store I feel guilty just by looking at the instruments, never mind asking to play one. They carry EBMMs by the way but the only guitar is on the storefront, unreachable, and the only bass is way up in the wall.

 

[maddog]

S Have you been in an Apple Store lately? For me, that's the new model in retail.

Yup, I tried to spend 2k at an Apple Store a couple weeks ago. Walked in and was completely ignored. Two sales people were doing nothing but tidying up. I sat there for 20 minutes, signaling to each of the two separately at least once in that 20 minute span. They refused to make eye contact. Seems like I had the same experience you had at GC, maybe worse. Although, I admit I am quite intimidating.

 

[Bassmedic14]

LAWWWL!!!!

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

Absolutely, I hate pesty shop assistance, I feel if I need help i will find them, and thats it!

 

[Big Poppa]

I have very mixed experiences at Apple stores

 

[Aussie Mark]

Yup, I tried to spend 2k at an Apple Store a couple weeks ago. Walked in and was completely ignored. Two sales people were doing nothing but tidying up. I sat there for 20 minutes, signaling to each of the two separately at least once in that 20 minute span. They refused to make eye contact. Seems like I had the same experience you had at GC, maybe worse. Although, I admit I am quite intimidating.

Didn't you make an appointment?

 

[savannah_sean]

I have very mixed experiences at Apple stores

Similarly, I've had mixed experiences at GC. My last visit to the San Francisco store was similar to T-bone's. They had a nice selection of JP's, Al's, Lukes, etc. but assistance was not to be had. The 14 year old kid with mom in tow, however, had no problems at all.

 

[maddog]

Didn't you make an appointment?

I tried but I think I fat-fingered the keypad and got my proctologist instead.

 

[TNT]

....lets just take the bringing a case into the store.....It is easy to think they are doing this to punish you....Dont blame GC blame thieving rip off artists who used this trick to steal instruments. Usually when there is a rule you dont understand start by thinking somebody must have caused them to make this rule. Its sort of like blaming them for damaged guitars...its the customers that damage them...... and also we are all spoiled...Im old enough to remember a life without Guitar Center

Perfect!!!! Yea BP, you NAILED it on both points!!!!!

We are all "definitely" spoiled. Just look at the guitars we play!! Yes, isn't that nice - now do you have "more" than one as well??!!

 

[strummer]

The platinum room manager at the Las Vegas GC is great, as is the rest of the staff

 

[sitonmybass]

All my "bass tech" work is done by Steve at the Guitar Center in Clearwater, Florida. He's a bass player as well as an incredible tech/repair guy. He really knows his stuff!

 

[ZiggyDude]

Matters on the GC - the one in Harrisburg is pretty small. The Baltimore stores (there were two - don't know now) were large. I would say the most friendly was actually Knoxville TN. The staff was all ages - quite a few gray pigtails. People were from various places and had moved in for a while. I had a really nice chat there. They have a separate bass room while the Harrisburg store has a corner. All due to size - the Balt store had an upscale and regular bass area. Upscale was in a sealed glass room with stuff in glass cases. Kinda cool - like shopping at a jewelry store

Yeah - having a big store is nice - we get spoiled in some ways. Though it is hard on the mom & pop stores. But with the Internet and mail order - maybe this is the only way to get a real store near you? Just a thought.

 

[RobertB]

I guess the GC kinda "spoiled" is convenience and availability - the ability to walk in and have a relatively high chance of finding and playing what you're wanting to check out. But the even better kind, IMHO, is the kind the small shops provide - that of the product knowledge and customer service variety. Not that I know what I'm talking about, but it stands to reason that they know these are ways they can, and have to compensate for the ubiquity of the GC's of the world. And they get it right, in the vast majority of cases, don't they? Anyone who's dealt with TPB or BC or Drum City Guitar Land can tell you, THAT is customer service. And I'm sure it's the same with Pete and others, I just haven't had the pleasure of dealing with them, personally. Pricing is usually better, too, and shipped to your door.

And there are stand-outs at GC, too, in terms of customer service. It's just that in my experience, they seem to be the exception rather than the norm. Guys like, Robbie (Dallas), Zombie (LA), and now Brandt (ATL). My guess is that the experience in bass land at GC ATL is about to get a whole lot better. I'm considering a move to that area, and would love to walk in there & meet Brandt & see what's going on there.

 

[syciprider]

For me it is more like:

However, at both of these stores I am invariably greeted at the door with a big smile and "hi" from some scary looking young woman who looks like a Twilight casting call reject.

But I love GCs. They're like a petting zoo for gear so I accept the bad with the good.

 

[Glen]

For me it is more like:



But I love GCs. They're like a petting zoo for gear so I accept the bad with the good.

Hey Guys,

GC is working very diligently to deliver a great Music Man assortment in great shape. The chain is big and it's never going to be perfect. But, they are trying. The Electric guitar and bass buyer is a Music Man apostle and working with us within the boundaries he has to build the GC assortment and keep it exciting.
If you ever have any issues with GC please contact me personally by email and I will do my best to help!

Thx,

glen

 

[Sean]

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

T-Bone,
First, I would like to apologize for the unfortunate experience you had in both Portland stores. I am the District Sales Manager of both of those stores, and I can assure you it is not how we wish to treat our valued customers such as yourself. Although you are absolutely correct in saying that Memorial Day was very busy in GC, that's still no excuse. We will certainly make every effort to ensure this never happens again through coaching, re-training, and discussing this incident with our sales teams in both Portland stores. In the meantime, I would love to make this right for you if you would grant me the opportunity. I sent you an email to your contact email with my phone number included. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.
Sean