Villa Park Illinois GC Visit

[silverburst]

So, I stopped in at the Villa Park GC the other day to check the state of the EBMM union, and thought I would pass it along to interested forumites.

If you want to play an EBMM bass, you had better bring a ladder. There were none within 10 feet of the floor, and despite their inaccesibility some still showed some amazing damage and play wear. Maybe that was why they were all moved up so high.

There was a Sterling HS with a 3-inch by 2-inch chunk out of the back, a guitar stand-sized divit out of the upper bout, and cracks radiating from around the control knobs. The sales guy offered to knock a couple hundred off the price.

Another Sterling was missing all of the knobs. Maybe they could steal the ones off the busted one, huh?

The inventory seemed pretty cockywobble too. 3 Natural Sterling HS's and 2 Candy Red Bongo 5HH's.

To top it off, I couldn't find a cable to use, and it was hard to find a bass amp that was plugged in.

The stuff at the Naperville store was in nice shape, but pretty short on EBMM inventory.

Any locals know of a better GC around here?

 

[mynan]

The one in Arlington Heights is the best in Chicagoland, IMO.

Locations - Guitar Center

 

[TNT]

Yeah SB,

I'm fortunate, I live within a 45 - 1 hr drive from 10 Guitar Centers.

You can't blame GC for utilizing wall space, they have to get there money's worth on the lease!!

However, I just grab the ladder and do the the Everest climb myself - it's not the going up that's hard, it's the comin' down!!

Remember, though, they have young'ins coming in there to rock too, as young as 10yrs old!! And, GC's policy is to "play n pay". Many customers are very "hard" on guitars they don't own.

When I go in, I actually tune a few guitars, re-position a few, clean a few - and you may think that's a little going overboard, but I did use their gear for the last couple hrs; and I also want them to keep the doors open.

 

[slow roasted]

Sorry you had a bad experience at the Villa Park store SB, but it's better than it used to be by a long shot. They don't have any good MM product there because I bought all of it!

Naperville never has anything, and the manager is a piece of work. Most of the Chicago stores are in managment transition right now, and most are small to medium format stores that don't have much MM product that is clean I'm afraid.

The Arlington heights store is the best IMHO, talk to Gary or Patrick.

 

[RobertB]

When I go in, I actually tune a few guitars, re-position a few, clean a few - and you may think that's a little going overboard, but I did use their gear for the last couple hrs; and I also want them to keep the doors open.

I've been known to make truss rod adjustments on a few ... sure I'm not the only one.

 

[Zippydog]

..all of the above explains why although I live in the Naperville area, I bought both of my Stingrays online. Agreed that local GCs blow. I've seen posts online about other GC stores that have had way more than I've ever seen locally. Bummer - I would like to buy here, but have spent real money elsewhere.

 

[Dr Stankface]

You said cockywobble.


I'm going to use that one.

 

[Big Poppa]

FUnny I heard that from the fire goddess first

 

[Dr Stankface]

FUnny I heard that from the fire goddess first

I haven't heard from her in months.


Life is good.

 

[GC Chicagoman]

Music Man/Ernie Ball In GC Chicago Area

Hello Everyone,

My name is David Settimi and I am the Regional VP for the stores out here in Chicago. I really appreciate the feedback on our stores especially as it pertains to how were doing with Music Man.
I am looking into the inventory in our Villa Park and Naperville store and hopefully we can get some new stock soon and make sure our current stock is clean and set up well. Thank you for your candor as I always look for ways for us to get better.
Please feel free to let me know any of your concerns at any time. You can email me at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or praise and I will get back to you promtly.

Thanks Again,

Dave

 

[mynan]

Thanks Dave. It's always good to hear that the guys at the "Big Chain Store" put some value in feedback from customers. Nothing but respect for the guys at the Arlington Heights store. Their inventory seems to always be in good shape and the atmosphere in the store has always been professional when I've been there. There are some GCs that I wouldn't even think about visiting on a Saturday or Sunday because of the madness, but not so at the Arlington Heights store.

I don't know if you have anything to do with the store in Grand Rapids, MI or not (that's my local store), but props to the management there too. They've always been very helpful to me. Last time I was there, there weren't a lot of MM basses there and some of them were a couple of years old, but they were in good shape...it's no doubt a different market than Chicago.

 

[silverburst]

Thanks for the feedback, David. I did get a chance to stop by the Arligton Heights store, and it is the way a Guitar Center should be. A really well-organized inventory that was pretty diverse, the salespeople were good and the management was accessible.


I also like that there is a repair department within the store, so you can get small stuff taken care of before you leave.

 

[Big Poppa]

David Stick around these guys are actually nice....thanks for posting

 

[Zippydog]

Thanks for posting, Dave!

Welcome - glad you're here!

Sent you an email.

-Paul

 

[slow roasted]

I've been known to make truss rod adjustments on a few ... sure I'm not the only one.

Yep, I know that routine well. Hell, I've been known to fix electronic bugs, dress fret ends etc. And then if you dare return it for some reason, they're pissed!

But then two days later it sells because it's dialed, and a dialed EBMM bass sells itself.......

 

[slow roasted]

Hello Everyone,

My name is David Settimi and I am the Regional VP for the stores out here in Chicago. I really appreciate the feedback on our stores especially as it pertains to how were doing with Music Man.
I am looking into the inventory in our Villa Park and Naperville store and hopefully we can get some new stock soon and make sure our current stock is clean and set up well. Thank you for your candor as I always look for ways for us to get better.
Please feel free to let me know any of your concerns at any time. You can email me at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or praise and I will get back to you promtly.

Thanks Again,

Dave

And that's how to do business in the new millenium IMHO, welcome Dave! But are you sure you want us knuckleheads e-mailing our concerns?