Why not GC?

[shamus63]

Isn't Guitar Center in league with Musician's Friend? Owned by the same people? I've heard that, but have no idea if it's true.

If not, then Steve and I are poised to conquer the world.

You guys have your work cut out for you, as they are related.

 

[Colin]

I wasn’t referring to you, nor can I remember who was bashing but this has come up before, and there are some that really dislike the GC. I’ve only set foot in their stores twice, got a good deal

I can only speak for myself (but I'd imagine my fellow Aussie formites will agree) but I'd love to see GC here in Australia (so would the importer). Being able to walk into a store and see MM guitars hanging on the wall would be a wonderful thing. Of course you do see the MM basses here but not so much the guitars. This also make me smile when I strap these guitars on at a gig, because I have something not readily available (like owning a Ferrari)

Colin

 

[tkarter]

What made me frown on GC was the fact that the prices I heard Desert Gold Bongos were going for was so low that it seems to have devalued that coler in my mind.

What I know is I have never set foot into a GC. Why, because there isn't one where I live.

I spent 20 years in a factory. I know that if a run of product is the same no color change or any other change it is easier to produce. Sometimes even better in quality.

That becomes easier for BP and crew to produce as well as it probably makes BP and crew see GC as the biggest consumer of the product. I would run my factory the same way.

GC has to sell the products they order. They do that in a way that lets the business succeed.
They do this with Fenders too. Really makes sense now that I have given it thought.

I will conclude by saying anything I have said derogatory about GC was more my mistake than theirs.

Well, one more thing.
This is my opinion and may well be mine only. I can live with that.

tk

 

[francric]

Isn't Guitar Center in league with Musician's Friend? Owned by the same people? I've heard that, but have no idea if it's true.

If not, then Steve and I are poised to conquer the world.

Yes, I believe they are and to answer your other question I believe that the medium price is like Shamus said around 800.

 

[bovinehost]

You guys may well be right about the 800 dollar mark, but it seems to me it would be much lower. Have you seen how many of those 150-200 dollar Fender Strats are available? And Affinity Ps?

This is one of those things we can ask.

 

[BigBallz]

He's talking about retailers.

I understand that but I also feel that a "Giant" store forces their selections/service/changes, ect on you also.

A large hamburger chain that I would go to, had no problem giving me extra pickles in a cup when I asked. One day...they didn't. I asked why and I was told they don't do that any more, it takes up to much time. Now that could of been her answer, but I went to another store in the same chain. No pickles in a cup. I don't go there anymore. That's what happens when pushing product becomes more important than customer service.

I worked in a huge retail store, in the service dept. Montgomery Wards had just gone out of business. We had a huge meeting, over 100 service personal, and were all told of changes that would be occuring. It was not in the customers favor. It was money driven and when a service tech questioned the speaker, the reply...we are the only game in town now, they have no choice.

 

[tkarter]

I understand that but I also feel that a "Giant" store forces their selections/service/changes, ect on you also.

A large hamburger chain that I would go to, had no problem giving me extra pickles in a cup when I asked. One day...they didn't. I asked why and I was told they don't do that any more, it takes up to much time. Now that could of been her answer, but I went to another store in the same chain. No pickles in a cup. I don't go there anymore. That's what happens when pushing product becomes more important than customer service.

I worked in a huge retail store, in the service dept. Montgomery Wards had just gone out of business. We had a huge meeting, over 100 service personal, and were all told of changes that would be occuring. It was not in the customers favor. It was money driven and when a service tech questioned the speaker, the reply...we are the only game in town now, they have no choice.

Forces? You have been locked in the store and couldn't get out until you said uncle?


tk

 

[Colin]

I wish a few of the stores my wife went to, would force her out.

 

[Big Poppa]

I understand that but I also feel that a "Giant" store forces their selections/service/changes, ect on you also.

A large hamburger chain that I would go to, had no problem giving me extra pickles in a cup when I asked. One day...they didn't. I asked why and I was told they don't do that any more, it takes up to much time. Now that could of been her answer, but I went to another store in the same chain. No pickles in a cup. I don't go there anymore. That's what happens when pushing product becomes more important than customer service.

I worked in a huge retail store, in the service dept. Montgomery Wards had just gone out of business. We had a huge meeting, over 100 service personal, and were all told of changes that would be occuring. It was not in the customers favor. It was money driven and when a service tech questioned the speaker, the reply...we are the only game in town now, they have no choice.

not to pussh gcc but they still give you pickles...online, bricks and mortar, big box costco, best buy, lets celebrate choices!

 

[tkarter]

Does her stores have a forum where she can get so totally hooked she has to keep going?

tk

 

[Rayan]

"Would You Like Freyz With That"?

I understand that but I also feel that a "Giant" store forces their selections/service/changes, ect on you also ...

That's what happens when pushing product becomes more important than customer service.

I worked in a huge retail store ... We had a huge meeting, over 100 service personal, and were all told of changes that would be occuring. It was not in the customers favor. It was money driven and when a service tech questioned the speaker, the reply...we are the only game in town now, they have no choice.

~
This is especially why I'm interested to hear what the BigCheese has to say, particularly since checkin' out the GC IR dept. ...
- all respectful and open minded of course !!!

My own background is well enough varied and I've experienced (and escaped) the 'morphing' of corporations; more than once; and lived to play music ...

I wonder how many GC shareholderz play Music Man instruments ???
Or maybe, I wonder how many of them play music of any kind ???
~
/R

 

[bovinehost]

I understand that but I also feel that a "Giant" store forces their selections/service/changes, ect on you also.

Ah. Well, it's one thing if you have Brand X Refrigerator and it needs service and there's only one place in town...then you pay what they charge.

Do you think Guitar Center, just as an example because we're talking about them, is attempting to force themselves on you in some way? I don't know, it seems different to me, somehow, because you have to have a refrigerator but a bass is - let's admit it - not necessary to life. I mean, it's a luxury item.

I don't know anything at all about business, but as Sterling says, "Competition is good." And Bass Central? Bass Northwest? I don't think they're in any danger in spite of how big Guitar Center is. They've certainly had to get smarter, but that can't be bad.

I hear a lot of Walmart bashing, most of which I agree with, by the way, but fact is that people are going to shop at Walmart. Not me, maybe not you, but enough do that Walmart is having to warehouse the extra billions.

I like thinking about how quaint things were in downtown Ocean Springs when I was a kid. Town of 8000 or so at the time; I could walk into the only drugstore in town and pick up my granny's prescriptions, no questions asked. They knew me, they knew her, we knew them. She'd be in eventually and settle up the bill, and no one even thought I might make off with her pills and get high or kill myself on her blood pressure stuff.

So the pharmacy at Walmart isn't going to do that for me, and my granny is long past the point where she needs medication for anything at all.

Things change. Unless the Muslim extremists take over, we're not going backwards. (I hated the 12th century, frankly.)

I'm a cranky old coot, too, when I want to be, but the world isn't waiting on me.

You know what I mean?

the besides I hate pickles,

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

if only my granny had ambien

 

[tkarter]

The only thing I have ever been forced to do in my whole life my dad had to beat me all the way to get that accomplished. Then I think it didn't stick. Forced is a hard word.

Companies enforce policy. Yeah, they change them. That is maybe for employee benefit and the customer does pay for that.

There is probably a Wendy's right next door when you can't get your pickles at Mikey D's.

tk

 

[Rayan]

There's Always Hope

... and the customer does pay for that ...

~
It was a very inspiring read, ending

"...
Sincerely,

Larry E. Thomas
Chairman and founder,
The Guitar Center Music Foundation"
~

... and there's the corporate

"MISSION STATEMENT

Guitar Center believes that music participation is an essential element in the fabric of an enduring society. ..."
~

So I'm hoping that upper management will guide the ship through constantly troubled waters and get our consumer $$$ to the other side in good enough shape to help more people of all ages, races, ethnicity etc. have better lives ...
~
/R

 

[SteveB]

some reflections on GC

I've got a different scenario.

90% of the time, I can get a better deal at a local Mom'n'Pop versus GC. Isn't that weird? And depending on the item, the difference can be pretty significant.

I don't have time to make repeat visits to the 'local' GC's (both of which are about a 30-40 minute drive for me, one way) to attempt to befriend a staffer so I can get the best deal.

For me, it's kinda like walking into a car dealership. I feel like I have to have my game on and be willing to play barter. I have to be mentally prepared to walk into those situations, and I don't look forward to it. I'm willing to do it for vehicle purchases (because they're few and far between), but not for guitars and gear.

I'm not someone who goes to music stores just to play with toys. If I go, I'm ready to buy. I've never returned anything that I bought in a music store, either. I tend to take good care of my stuff and have it forever.

I love the fact that GC stocks (a few) EBMM guitars, and I wish they'd stock a lot more. The 'newest' GC in my area opened last Feb.. over the course of nearly a whole year, they've stocked 1 SUB HH and 1 Axis (and several EBMM basses). So, not much to look at in the local GC's here, guitar-wise.

Oh well, this is just a stream of consciousness about GC... I think the main points I'd like to make are:

1) some GC's (the ones in my city) don't carry much in the way of EBMM guitars

2) I can get a better deal in a local shop, which makes no sense at all when you consider GC's purchasing power.

3) I'm so glad they stopped selling cases separately for EBMM guitars because I think that whole line about selling the guitar cheaper without the case was just malarkey.. and nobody will ever convince me otherwise.

4) I'm glad GC exists, and I would LOVE to buy more from them, if they would just make it a little easier to get their 'best' prices. Sure, I can bring in an ad and they'll match it.. who won't? But I'll always give my business to the guy who's offering me the low price *without* having to come down to match.

 

[tkarter]

Steve, brother, I would love a chance to lay a bassline down under your guitar.

tk

 

[bovinehost]

Steve, brother, I would love a chance to lay a bassline down under your guitar.

Yo, hey, watch out now, this is the bass forum! Please rephrase it like, "Steve, I wouldn't mind if you recorded some quiet, tasteful guitar phrases over my killer bass line."

Thank you.

 

[Rayan]

Children For Sale

... I'll always give my business to the guy who's offering me the low price *without* having to come down to match ...

~
Hey SteveB,
You make a real interesting point (as usual), and I certainly don't mean to pick on you personally
- but it seems, in general terms that most of the time, be it on cars or guitars, we focus on the $ as the main deciding factor on what is a 'good deal'
- and eventually we start missing the bigger picture of how to 'make music' ?
- and then we've put our own price tag on the "fabric of an enduring society" !
~
/R

 

[BigBallz]

Wow. Lots of different "opinions" here. I like it. Forced is a funny word....when you are limited by choice...as a poster pointed out, and you want that paticular brand bad enough, you are forced to buy from a limited stock. A car dealership is a good example....they only have that model in Blue for that price. So, alot of people buy that car because they can not afford a different style or can't wait for the vehicle to be built, so they settle for that car. Hows that word? Settle?

What I am gettin at is that large retailers importance is not the consumer any longer...it's the bottom line, and the stock holders.

It's disheartining the "advances" that big retail has made in alot of aspects. But I enjoy discussing it very much. Thanks to all for your input.

How corporate sounding.....