roburado
Well-known member
Certainly not in the Detroit area.Pundix said:They didn't happen to pick a store near Cleveland, Ohio did they?
- Thread starter smallequestrian
- Start date
slukather
Well-known member
robelinda2 said:
Hey Rob, which shop was that??? although Hydes has a couple of SUBs, and l think a Benji Madden as well (but that was a while ago), the thing is alot of shops carry the OLP, and people seem to think they are Ernie Ball guitars, and although they are nice beginner guitars, they are no where near the Quaility of an original Ernie Ball, and l think it is hurting the Ernie Ball market here in Melbourne.
Scott.
robelinda2
Well-known member
slukather said:
blackburn hydes. not a fan of that shop, only went there cos i was driving by and thought there might be chance of them having a ball, and they did!
they also had 3 or 4 olp's, that was it.
koogie2k said:Not me Glen....I am honest.....
I really meant what I said and I stick by it. Politics is what got me stuck out in the desert...hehehehee....
Koogie I'm just busting you man. I know we talked in SLO and I fully understand where your coming from.
But Dude, your like a PR guy. How come your not a Mod? Just curious.
Glenn |B)
Norrin Radd
Well-known member
koogie2k said:OK...everyone....just so you know (in case you did not), I met the CEO of Guitar Center here in Va. Beach compliments of Big Poppa, Dargie and Brian. Needless to say, he is a super cool dude and was genuinely concerned about his customers. I had an in depth conversation with him and told him of some of the concerns of the forum. Now, keep in mind, we are barely 2%, if that, of his customer base. Yet, he listened intently (I could tell his sincerety) because he asked me (of all peeps) what the concerns were and asked for ideas on how to fix it. I gave them to him and let him know that the Va. Beach store is AWESOME....I can't vouche for the others...but the one here is great. I am known there and there is plenty of EBMM products available, set up perfect...and located right at the entrance of the store. Which is the best location in my opinion. It is not the EB products that are set up and ready to go....it is ALL of them. They are constantly checking the guitars/basses/amps/drums/keyboards/etc to make sure they are ready to be test driven. Polished, string changes, all done. This might be the exception to the rule, but it is the only store I know that has a Guitar Center sign out there. The CEO told me it is hard, with all the stores, to keep all the top knowledge guys employed. Keep in mind, they own more than one or two stores....there are hundreds. Yet, the CEO listened to me...the normal Joe. He is trying to fix things that he has seen personally and has read here. He truly is a man of the music and a musician's friend. How do I know....he has employees who play in bands on the Warped Tour and was like a proud father watching them. He sponsors a stage for them to play on and supports them 100%. He said and I quote this word for word "These guys have a dream of playing music and making a name for themselves in music, and I am here to support that for them...it is a risk on their part, but if I can help, I will." How cool is that. I know of the complaints, but keep in mind, he is working on them and Big Poppa is helping. So, let's cut him a break and let him do what he needs to do. Not everyone will be satisfied, but I think the majority will be. This is not an overnight fix peeps....it will take time. I got nothing but good vibes about him and I think he is more than sincere. He does not post here (as far as I know) and with that said, he can't defend himself. Let's try to keep our minds open and let him do his work to help us. Again, I applaud him for his passion of music and wanting people to be happy. Rant over.
Well, as a former employee of GC I am quite skeptical, especially considering all of the shenanigans that have ocurred at my former store over the years. How do you take a guitar salesman (department manager) with over 20 years experience (and several of those as a top 10 guy in the country) and drop him to minimum wage with a whole new regime change? If that's part of the "kinder gentler" GC, than you can have it Koogs.
I've seen too many of my friends be helped out the door becasue they weren't exactly "corporate conformists". Dress codes and appearance mandates, punitve restructuring of bouns pay, longer hours and less support for management staff. Sorry, these are NOT the actions of a truly concerned company. The CEO (and I've met him), may be a good listener and may say good things, but I'll take it from a wise man who once said "It's not who I am on the inside that matters, it's what I do that defines me". You know what they say about good intentions.
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koogie2k
Well-known member
GWDavis28 said:Koogie I'm just busting you man. I know we talked in SLO and I fully understand where your coming from.
But Dude, your like a PR guy. How come your not a Mod? Just curious.
Glenn |B)
I know your busting my chops....LOL....Why am I not a Mod? Who knows, I never asked nor expect to be one.....the Mods we have here are doing a fine job.
Norrin.....I like your post. I respect your post as there will always be more than one side to things. I can only base what I know on the one store I have been to. Maybe the exception again, but the Va. Beach store has had the same employees going on 4+ years now. There have been a few who came and went....but the core team there has been there for quite some time. I don't care what they get paid as that is their personal business. I have seen over the years, salesman move into management and the rest of the employees there seem happy. They keep up the instruments and all related equipment. They help out and if they don't know the answer, they get someone who does. Again, it is the only store I know. Now, on that note, I don't buy my guitars there. I go through our forum brothers for that. I do buy my other gear there however and never had a problem.
There can be several sides to the story and I listen with an open mind and respect those opinions and observations. You don't like them....cool with me. I happen to like the store here and they are the best one here as there are several other music stores here that have people who have no idea what they are talking about and act like it is a problem for them to pull a guitar off the wall for you.
I still stick to my post as I am sure you will stick to yours....we don't have to agree and that is what makes life interesting to me. Again, thanks Norrin for you post as it shows a different side.
Norrin Radd
Well-known member
Koogs -
Don't get me wrong - I still shop at GC for almost everything (except guitars and pedals), but for strings, picks, lubes, straps, parts, cables, whatever - there is still no cheaper place to buy. I hope that things do turn around for GC (and their reputation). I'm just still a little sore at the way I feel some long time employees were treated. The store I worked at was one of the first ones, and there are (were) guys there, top quality, that kind of got the "shove" in a different direction.
The store now is much cleaner, better organized and easier for the average consumer to shop in. However, the sales staff is generally very poorly informed about the product they are selling. I know there are great GCs out there (my old one used to get banners for leading the country/region/nation on a regular basis). I just don't believe that the corporate owners really understand my local market very well adn WISH they would listen to management and take them seriously. I mean, I never want to hear the words "but what about the stockholders?" ever again for as long as I live. But I'll still shop there for the cheap stuff (I can't afford to pay twice the amount for all that stuff at the mom & pops). Cheers.
Don't get me wrong - I still shop at GC for almost everything (except guitars and pedals), but for strings, picks, lubes, straps, parts, cables, whatever - there is still no cheaper place to buy. I hope that things do turn around for GC (and their reputation). I'm just still a little sore at the way I feel some long time employees were treated. The store I worked at was one of the first ones, and there are (were) guys there, top quality, that kind of got the "shove" in a different direction.
The store now is much cleaner, better organized and easier for the average consumer to shop in. However, the sales staff is generally very poorly informed about the product they are selling. I know there are great GCs out there (my old one used to get banners for leading the country/region/nation on a regular basis). I just don't believe that the corporate owners really understand my local market very well adn WISH they would listen to management and take them seriously. I mean, I never want to hear the words "but what about the stockholders?" ever again for as long as I live. But I'll still shop there for the cheap stuff (I can't afford to pay twice the amount for all that stuff at the mom & pops). Cheers.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Ok GC threads require the utmost patience and restraint from many of us. I must always keep in mind that whereas most of you have an opinion based on perception/experience, I have one from a different perspective and it is from the inside of this crazy business.
A few perspective enhancers....
In eight years Guitar has grown from a privately held semi regional music chain doing about 120 million dollars per year to a nationwide PUBLIC company with sales of 2 billion dollars.
As of today Guitar Center's is bigger than the folling companies COMBINED:
Fender
Gibson
PRS
Ernie Ball
Roland Marshall
Mesa Boogie
Korg
Peavey
Roland
Ampeg/Crate
That's right COMBINED!!!!!!!!!!
Love em or hate them they are impossible to ignore.The GUitar Center of ten years ago was much tougher to deal with than the one today. The goals and value they add to the musicians life has increased ten fold. The advertising dollars they spend annually helps all dealers.
The pressure to grow to satisfy the shareholders means that Guitar Center must grow in 2007 by almost $400,000,000.00..... That is bigger than their next biggest competitior Sam Ash.
Can they grow by sheer sourcing/discounting? I dont think so. They need to be able to involve themselves in the careers and dreams of both their customers and their employees. They need to be the best in all categories because price is no longer all that unique.
What is funny to me is that they are damned if they do and damned if they dont....They get slayed here for having old inventory in bad shape and slayed by the same people when they have a fresh and clean and diverse inventory.
Norrin, I respect your opinion but must strongly disagree with your comments regarding Marty. You may have met him, but you dont know him. To dismiss Koogies meeting with him is wrong. To deny his passion for supporting musicians is shallow. Why was he in Virginia Beach? He could have just as well stayed in LA, New York, or golfing......
Like em or not Guitar Center has made it more affordale to be a musician.
A few perspective enhancers....
In eight years Guitar has grown from a privately held semi regional music chain doing about 120 million dollars per year to a nationwide PUBLIC company with sales of 2 billion dollars.
As of today Guitar Center's is bigger than the folling companies COMBINED:
Fender
Gibson
PRS
Ernie Ball
Roland Marshall
Mesa Boogie
Korg
Peavey
Roland
Ampeg/Crate
That's right COMBINED!!!!!!!!!!
Love em or hate them they are impossible to ignore.The GUitar Center of ten years ago was much tougher to deal with than the one today. The goals and value they add to the musicians life has increased ten fold. The advertising dollars they spend annually helps all dealers.
The pressure to grow to satisfy the shareholders means that Guitar Center must grow in 2007 by almost $400,000,000.00..... That is bigger than their next biggest competitior Sam Ash.
Can they grow by sheer sourcing/discounting? I dont think so. They need to be able to involve themselves in the careers and dreams of both their customers and their employees. They need to be the best in all categories because price is no longer all that unique.
What is funny to me is that they are damned if they do and damned if they dont....They get slayed here for having old inventory in bad shape and slayed by the same people when they have a fresh and clean and diverse inventory.
Norrin, I respect your opinion but must strongly disagree with your comments regarding Marty. You may have met him, but you dont know him. To dismiss Koogies meeting with him is wrong. To deny his passion for supporting musicians is shallow. Why was he in Virginia Beach? He could have just as well stayed in LA, New York, or golfing......
Like em or not Guitar Center has made it more affordale to be a musician.
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jaxadam
Well-known member
I've been to the Va Beach guitar center, and it is pretty nice.
I've always had pretty good experiences with GC. The one that just opened up here in Jax is not too bad, either. They seem to have a pretty good inventory rolling in and out.
I've always had pretty good experiences with GC. The one that just opened up here in Jax is not too bad, either. They seem to have a pretty good inventory rolling in and out.
Norrin Radd
Well-known member
Big Poppa said:
Hey BP -
You are right - I only ever met Marty, I did not and never have known him. He may be the greatest guy in the world, I just don't know and all my comments are only my opinions based on my experiences with the company. I believe that Marty is a good guy, particularly based on what my old manager used to say about him. My concern isn't really Marty, but what can he do to help GC now, and by that I mean since the company has gone public. I think we can all agree that GC has gone through a lot of growing pains.
As for Koogs comments - I don't believe I did, nor did I intend to, dismiss his comments. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I don't think I went after Koogs. If it seemed that way, it certainly wasn't my intention. Heck, GC is where I buy my EBMMs and always have. As a customer, I have always been treated fairly (and I have never bashed their inventory or used gear pricing - in fact, I have defended GC on this board on these issues previously). I am just scared that GC will evolve to a point where profit is way way way more important than the customer (AND the employee). Sorry if I hit some nerves, just wanted to share my concerns, fears and skepticism. Don't worry, I'll keep buying my EBMMs from GC!
threeminutesboy
Well-known member
BP, I am not american and can't tell or judge about GC, but working for a manufacturer and being in charge of a distribution network (Distributors and dealers) I understand your position very well ...
augustyn
Well-known member
interesting discussion with many different points of view. i dont know GC cause i am from europe and make my purchases here in different forii.
overall i'd be happy to have only one competent store here nearby. the local EBMM dealer (recommended by importes HP) wanted to show a PRS to me when i asked for a MM guitar (he has some basses there but not even a SUB guitar).
no RPS strings (wait for them since 2 years always hear...we'll order them)
well when i am in USA i'll visit one of those GC stores....
overall i'd be happy to have only one competent store here nearby. the local EBMM dealer (recommended by importes HP) wanted to show a PRS to me when i asked for a MM guitar (he has some basses there but not even a SUB guitar).
no RPS strings (wait for them since 2 years always hear...we'll order them)
well when i am in USA i'll visit one of those GC stores....
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Norrin
You dont have to buy your MM's from them. It is all about choices.....
I dont know why you would worry about a public GC its been that way for nearly a decade.
as for Koogs comments you did dismiss Marty and his intenions and that is your right. I just felt that if I attempted to quantify GC that it may give some fresh perspective...
I dont know how you cant tip your hat to a guy that has grown his business, provided additional value for musicians and pleased his shareholders...after all it is the music business and it is a business.
You dont have to buy your MM's from them. It is all about choices.....
I dont know why you would worry about a public GC its been that way for nearly a decade.
as for Koogs comments you did dismiss Marty and his intenions and that is your right. I just felt that if I attempted to quantify GC that it may give some fresh perspective...
I dont know how you cant tip your hat to a guy that has grown his business, provided additional value for musicians and pleased his shareholders...after all it is the music business and it is a business.
Norrin Radd
Well-known member
Big Poppa said:
I wouldn't if they didn't give me the best price!
Afterall, I'm as much a consumer as the next guy.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
cool..now you get fresh stock at good prices
My local GC in Knoxville is really awsome, I know the managers the regional mangers and they all work with me to get the price, I have been buying used EBMM (for a great price) due that they don't have inventory in the store but I'm not so worry, if I need something they can get it from another store, I know EBMM will be at great quality and will not disappoint me.
So far I'm glad that BP is working with GC to get more guitars out, thanks for the good job.
So far I'm glad that BP is working with GC to get more guitars out, thanks for the good job.
kbaim
Well-known member
koogie2k said:
Keep in mind people that this was probably done at gunpoint.
kbaim
Well-known member
Well, some quick math...2 bil in sales hoping to increase by 400 mil (or 20%). Oops, had put 5%, duh!
Ahh the challenges of being so big (ala walmart, homedepot, starbucks, mcdonalds) and staying consistent.
I remember reading about a year ago that GC has 20-25% of ALL music and recording related sales in the US. That's pretty significant in any industry and rarely attainable. You can probably count the companies on Pete's hand..and have a finger left over.
I could kick myself in the nuts for never owning GC stock.
Ahh the challenges of being so big (ala walmart, homedepot, starbucks, mcdonalds) and staying consistent.
I remember reading about a year ago that GC has 20-25% of ALL music and recording related sales in the US. That's pretty significant in any industry and rarely attainable. You can probably count the companies on Pete's hand..and have a finger left over.
I could kick myself in the nuts for never owning GC stock.
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