You get one wish from Guitar Center.........

[RitchieDarling]

The bass room at the Peoria Ave location in Phoenix is fairly well isolated. I had no problem hearing everything very nicely.

The front of it is open to the rest of the store, but there is good soundproofing.

There was one other guy in there. And we didn't disturb each other.

In fact, there was very little noise throughout the store.

I think the more open floorplan has a lot to do with it.

Ritchie

 

[scottbass71]

Some Guitar Centres in Australia
After visting the states a few times and dropping into a few guitar centres I was so jealous we don't have them.

2

. Staff.....I think it is unrealistic to think that all our sales staff will be as knowledgable about EBMM as many of you.

I tend to agree with Marty, there have been many a time a few of the stores I deal with have called me asking certain things about MM stuff, I guess because we are so passionate about MM stuff and we get the answers and new release details etc straight from the horses mouth ( Poppas Mouths) that we tend to be experts on MM stuff. I can only wonder how much new stuff is released every year that it would be a not possible to know how it all works, colour combinations, limited editions etc.

my 2 cents

 

[Big Poppa]

Marty

Thanks a million. I want this to run for awhile but it seems that there are a few constants that are coming to light.
The case issue is sometimes the price on the tag is including the case and the salesman sells them the case again.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

My biggest pet peeve with GC is that when you go there to try out guitars the action on most are really high to the point of non playability. I've noticed it on Fender Strats and some Basses.

Hire a good setup man or train someone to do it would benefit the store and increase sales. IMO.......

I frequent the AllenPark Mi and Canton Mi stores. Other than that I like GC and their people are helpful and will get whatever you ask for.

Ole Man (Bongo) Blues

 

[midopa]

3. Air conditioning has been a source of much debate around here for years. It is even more hazardous in our acoustic and vintage rooms as these instruments are much more fragile. We have evaluated many solutions and to date have something that works just OK in our acoustic rooms but for the large guitar floors it is next to impossible especially with so many doors always opening. Humidity disappears very quickly when a door in left open. We are looking at a few new technologies that might help but this is a very difficult problem without a resonable solution...YET !!

Ah, I see. I haven't thought about the difficulties you've mentioned with big rooms. Very informative! I hope some new ideas or technology will come out to help solve this issue. Thanks again for spending time to address our concerns and ideas (you too BP!)!

 

[bubbao]

GC and the case issue....

In past years GC was often slammed over the option we offered the customer of buying a guitar with or without the case. Many pro-players, because they already owned lots of cases and bags, liked this option and paid less. On the other hand it led people to think we didn't give them a case even though they were'nt charged for one. News groups were full of people saying we screwed them. Confusing yes, but in the 80's and 90's it was all about being able to advertise a lower price than the competition.

Enter the new millinium and today Guitar Center prices all guitars and basses WITH cases.

I hope this clears up the GC case issue.

BTW You still can refuse to buy the case if you choose to. But who in their right mind would buy that Stingray, Sterling or Bongo without a case?

Ed O

 

[Sweat]

This is a nice thread , what I would like is the same as others a few more choices, turn the music down, and have a few more iso rooms, I am not a great player and prefer to try equipment out in an isolated enviroment and locally not enough rooms for that, it is so hard to get a feel for an instrument when you have 40 other people jamming at high volumes playing every different style, also the case thing is easy, if it comes with a case from the guitar maker and is a floor display put the original case in the shipping box mark the case and store with a stocking tag, this way no damage, and if the customer wants a different case then thats a seperate transaction. P.S. How bout a few more Mesa products in stock
Thanks for listening, I have been a GC customer for the few years I have been playing and will always go there for strings, cables etc.

 

[oddjob]

I love my local GC and usually have a good experience (notice "usually") - I realize the whole bit with staffing (huge turn over) and inventory (why order for stock what might not sell)... consistent pricing is my wish. I realize that a profit has to be made (and I am all for that) but I was pricing out a MarkBass 10" cube and spoke with 3 different salesmen and got... 3 different prices. The whole discount by "who ya know" is tiresome. Consistency would be nice, regardless of who I am or who I deal with in store.

As a side wish, I wish the Cincy store could get cleaned up a bit. I love the layout of the Dallas store we all went to. The seperate high end bass and vintage rooms really made a difference in my "bass buying mood." Cincy has just a little cubby with all the gear crammed in.

The kiosk idea is kind of cool - rather than manufacturer sites - it could even/also contain access to national GC inventory so we know what we could get our hands on fast.

 

[Eggman]

We want you to stay amd enjoy.....do you know the manager well enough to ask him to turn down the music a bit when you are there ?

Not really..............but I will ask next time I am in (ordering Markbass gear!)

 

[ktmrider]

I would ask for a five-string Sterling. Cherryburst, maple fret board, matching headstock, dual humbuckers and a white pearloid pick guard.

Hopefully the Genie looks likes Barbara Eden... I would need a genie to get that...

I have had mostly good experiences with the the two GC's I use. Rancho Cucamonga, and San Bernardino. I have purchased alot of stuff over the last couple of years and one thing that helps is loyalty to a particular sales person. If that person knows you will come back to them they will jump through hoops to get you what you want.

As far as the noise in the stores. I really do think GC should adopt some sort of policy regarding the noise issues in the stores. I know that they want to create an "atmosphere" but the loud music combined with hacks wailing on guitars makes it dufficult to have a conversation. I would also like to see them (managers)walk over and tell someone to turn down when they are wailing away on a half-stack. Most of the time it's some goof who can't afford to buy a set of strings and they are wailing away making it so you can't think straight.

The lack of noise is one of the reasons I use the Rancho Cucamonga store. The staff there is cool too. Shayler is the man.

One other issue is that a lot of the bass gear is not hooked up. The Ampeg & G&K displays are usually completely screwed up and yo can rarely try more than two of the heads and cabinets in them. I have found that around 50% of the rigs I plug in to aren't hooked up. None of the Peavey rigs that were in the SB store were hooked up.

Not to sound like a big complainer. I use GC for a lot of different stuff. Mainly Pro Audio for my church and myself and a lot of Bass gear. I have always been treated well. I will continue to go their for my music gear.

 

[Psycho Ward]

BP and Marty, thank you so much for doing this, I've never seen anything like this. I takes a lot of guts to try something like this.

I've bought many things from the GC and I'm so happy to have one here in Greensboro. I stop by quite often and I have a couple of friends that work there, it gives it that mom and pop vibe... except with a huge selection. They really were great in getting me the only MarkBass amp in GSO!

Again, thanks!

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

Genie Wish 1.0 - Customer oriented web based query of available inventory across the entire GC/MF organization. From the internet or via kiosk's in the stores. Include items that are in the production pipleline.

I would expect that GC/MF currently has a significant investment in their supply chain / inventory control software . You don't reach this size without having a strong handle on what's in stock, how fast it turns and where it is. I assume that the backend of this is standard database. The basics are already in place with MF and this would benefit every manufacturer on GC's line card.

Genie Wish 1.1 - The ability for the customer to draw the desired inventory located during the query to our local store.

This is where it gets dicey. Wanton shipping without closing the deal will bleed you to death. There would have to be some controls in place to ensure the shipping costs do not lead to increased overhead / lost margin. A deposit; "well qualified buyer" status; frequent buyer program perk; something.

It's obviously something the Bean Counters would have to be involved in to determine the cost vs. revenue aspect of it. (If nothing else, it'll give'em something to occupy their time.) It might turn out that only 15% of customers would use the service whereby increasing their purchase frequency by threefold. Or it might turn out that by increasing the "best" price offered across all inventory by 1/4% to 1/2% more than offsets any costs incurred by the service.

Genie Wish 2.0 - Traveling EBMM Product Showcase

I tossed this thought out here on the forum after the Open House. There are a great many of us out here that just don't get to pickup and play all of the instruments available from BP and Company. Personal testimonial - I was dead set on a Y2D as my next purchase. Sterling setup the backlot NAMM show with all models out at the Open House and the next thing I know, I've got a Petrucci on order. I would have never considered the JP as my next purchase until I was able to pick it up and play it.

Putting the variety of EBMM instruments available in the hands of the buyers usually will do the trick. Perhaps team up with MarkBass and ENGL or (insert under exposed guitar amp manufacturer here) to offset costs and increase exposure and sales of the complementary products. Maybe tie it to the Battle of the Bands / Warped Tour with the mobile stages. Consider a trailer full of the most popular selling variations of the models to accompany the Traveling Showcase to allow for immediate purchase gratification. If feasable, set aside part of the SLO production bucket to reduce the lead time for those folks that place orders during the event.

GC is a marketing juggernaut and definitely can create a stir. An event such as this would obviously draw people and therefore generate collateral revenue for EBMM products and GC inventory just by having the warm bodies in proximity to merchandise. This is again something else to send the Bean Counters in to a flurry of activity.




Pleasure to meet you in Dallas Marty.

 

[oddjob]

BP and Marty, thank you so much for doing this, I've never seen anything like this. I takes a lot of guts to try something like this.

I've bought many things from the GC and I'm so happy to have one here in Greensboro. I stop by quite often and I have a couple of friends that work there, it gives it that mom and pop vibe... except with a huge selection. They really were great in getting me the only MarkBass amp in GSO!

Again, thanks!

+1 on this - I live about a mile from GC Cincy and it is nice to have a friendly ear about the one of the places I spend a lot of time and money in

 

[J-Nick]

I don't live in the US but I've been to GC a couple of times.

I will add one more vote to stocking more leftys (especially guitars). I don't know of any other company that produces high end leftys without ordering through their custom shop. The crappy imports do not stand a chance compared to EBMMs. Even though we're only a very small percentage of the market, I'm convinced that the southpaw inventory would move very fast. I often check online EBMM dealers and the leftys usually do not stay up very long...

An up to date online inventory would also be very useful. With a minimum inventory on the floor you get to find the instrument you like. You can then check the online inventory to find the instrument with the exact specs you desire and get it transfered to your local store for purchase. That's a lot faster than ordering a new one and waiting 6 months before getting it.

Cheers!

 

[Beth]

Genie Wish 1.0 - Customer oriented web based query of available inventory across the entire GC/MF organization. From the internet or via kiosk's in the stores. Include items that are in the production pipleline.

I would expect that GC/MF currently has a significant investment in their supply chain / inventory control software . You don't reach this size without having a strong handle on what's in stock, how fast it turns and where it is. I assume that the backend of this is standard database. The basics are already in place with MF and This would benefit every manufacturer on GC's line card.

Maybe this already exists, or maybe it doesn't, but to take the aforementioned software and use it to identify which territories have the most queries/requests for certain models. The end customer would be prompted with an "enter zip code". The models they look up would be recorded into a database, allowing GC to see which territories request more of which types of models, and be able to stock according to customer inquiries electronically. I'm sure something like this happens with grocery stores and "regional" foods.

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

Maybe this already exists, or maybe it doesn't, but to take the aforementioned software and use it to identify which territories have the most queries/requests for certain models. The end customer would be prompted with an "enter zip code". The models they look up would be recorded into a database, allowing GC to see which territories request more of which types of models, and be able to stock according to customer inquiries electronically. I'm sure something like this happens with grocery stores and "regional" foods.

The "regionality" leads to Genie Wish 2.0. I live in a third tier market but I have the ability and pleasure to travel to first tier markets (and I'm a member of the best forum on the planet) so I'm exposed to everything you guys do. At my gigs, I get alot of the (insert Steve Martin / Bill Murray voices) "what the hell is that?" Knowledge = sales.

I just aged myself with that SNL reference...didn't I?

 

[mrpackerguy]

One of my first thoughts, when walking in to one of your stores, is I've fallen outside your demographic. I'm too old (52 but hey, 52 is the new 40). I'm dressed too well. I look like a complete dork with no tatoos, no piercings and my shirt is tucked in. Consequently, I get paid very little attention. I did purchase a buttercream L.E. last year from your Beaverton Oregon Store, and have nothing but praise for the store manager who helped. He, however, has found a new calling and, much like many people in retail, has moved on.

It's important to note, Sir, I'm now in my 50's and am certainly at the peak of my earning potential. My wife, still being in her 40's (okay late 40's) has yet to reach her peak in terms of earning. My children are raised and through college. My mortgage is leveraged and leveraged again in order to purchase more real estate and commercial properties. I have money in the bank and I still have money left over each month. So when I wander in to one of your stores, I'm amazed that I (and I'm sure I'm not alone here) can come out of there without making a purchase of some sort.

Another item of note, although it's been addressed, is the noise level. Not so much the recorded music, but mostly the guitar wankers. Some of those kids (not all, but many) believe the louder it is, the better it sounds. And there may have been a time when I felt the same way (1969, 70, 71, 72,73 Led Zepplin concerts). But not so much anymore. If anything, it will drive me out of the store into some of the smaller, independent retailers - which is where I've just purchased a new 30th.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, thanks to Sterling for hosting this, and I hope you find all of our comments of value.

tbone

Don't think I could have said that any better!

 

[roburado]

I would like to see Markbass products available in more than just a few select stores.
The closest to me is a 9 hour drive, and I have 2 GC's within 2 1/2 hours of me.
I would even drive to the Motor City to try and buy one...just can't bring myself to drive to Chicago though.

Well, here in the Motor City area, I have gone to Southfield, Canton, and Roseville. None of the three have Mark Bass unless Canton has started carrying it in the past couple of months. I don't know about any of the other stores in the area.

 

[roburado]

In past years GC was often slammed over the option we offered the customer of buying a guitar with or without the case. Many pro-players, because they already owned lots of cases and bags, liked this option and paid less. On the other hand it led people to think we didn't give them a case even though they were'nt charged for one. News groups were full of people saying we screwed them. Confusing yes, but in the 80's and 90's it was all about being able to advertise a lower price than the competition.

Enter the new millinium and today Guitar Center prices all guitars and basses WITH cases.

I hope this clears up the GC case issue.

BTW You still can refuse to buy the case if you choose to. But who in their right mind would buy that Stingray, Sterling or Bongo without a case?

Ed O

Actually, I was just in the Roseville, MI, store. A number of EBMM basses and one guitar had price tags with the "exploded" price, i.e., no case. Just FYI.

 

[roburado]

Genie Wish 2.0 - Traveling EBMM Product Showcase

I tossed this thought out here on the forum after the Open House. There are a great many of us out here that just don't get to pickup and play all of the instruments available from BP and Company. Personal testimonial - I was dead set on a Y2D as my next purchase. Sterling setup the backlot NAMM show with all models out at the Open House and the next thing I know, I've got a Petrucci on order. I would have never considered the JP as my next purchase until I was able to pick it up and play it.

Putting the variety of EBMM instruments available in the hands of the buyers usually will do the trick. Perhaps team up with MarkBass and ENGL or (insert under exposed guitar amp manufacturer here) to offset costs and increase exposure and sales of the complementary products. Maybe tie it to the Battle of the Bands / Warped Tour with the mobile stages. Consider a trailer full of the most popular selling variations of the models to accompany the Traveling Showcase to allow for immediate purchase gratification. If feasable, set aside part of the SLO production bucket to reduce the lead time for those folks that place orders during the event.

GC is a marketing juggernaut and definitely can create a stir. An event such as this would obviously draw people and therefore generate collateral revenue for EBMM products and GC inventory just by having the warm bodies in proximity to merchandise. This is again something else to send the Bean Counters in to a flurry of activity.

Wow...that's a really cool idea. Kind of like demo days at a golf shop.