Guitar Center UGH !

[splatter]

I bought a used Diezel 4x12 this morning online from a local GC. They opened at noon. I called about picking it up and they said they would email me when they were ready for me to pick it up. The Girl was actually pretty rude about it.
Whats to be ready? You put it in the system as sold and I roll it out the door.

Not a big deal , I'm just tired of all the no customer service that seems to be the norm since covid hit.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Customer service these days is for the most part dead. A few businesses still exist that give a shit, or at least act like they do, but for the most part it's...give me your money & don't call us if you need anything. Musician's Friend was horrid the last few times I dealt with them, GC...hit or miss. Most these big box store employees are clueless and just plain rude.

I luckily have an awesome mom n pop shop near me in MT: Guitars & Amps. They are super knowledgeable, cool as hell, and just decent people to work with.

 

[motorboy1]

Any online orders have to be processed and pulled from stock. Takes longer than just walking in and buying it. With everything else going on in the fucking world right now its just a minor inconvenience, wouldn’t you agree?

 

[romanianreaper]

There is a decent Guitar Center near me but the one 40 minutes away is awesome. Those guys remember me when I go in, ask how my older gear is that I bought, etc.

That is my pet peeve man, customer service. You are at work and have to be there. Deal with the customer and be nice and funny and strike up conversation. Enjoy your f'ing day. I went to Office Depot a few months ago and this one guy used to irritate me because he would ask what I needed, would walk thru different items, etc. Now the guy is my hero. The last time I was in there he was happy and smiling and helped me find a laptop bag. I changed my view of him because everyone is so lazy now. That guy is on my Christmas list.

 

[Racerxrated]

Bought an 88 Soloist, great condition and got it in 2 business days. I guess it depends on the store.

 

[toddmogle]

Because the store has to "process" the order. Happened to me a few months, bought a pedal from local GC online, showed up to the store to pick up and the store manager is like "it's not ready yet" Even though the pedal was in the case right in front of me. Blame GC corporate for these things.

 

[Chris O]

I'm just praying that Yellowstone caldera goes up soon and puts an end to...all this...

 

[splatter]

Any online orders have to be processed and pulled from stock. Takes longer than just walking in and buying it. With everything else going on in the fucking world right now its just a minor inconvenience, wouldn’t you agree?

Yea it is a minor inconvience. However I never got a call or an email. I finally just went down there and picked it up. They acted like they were amazed that I didn't get an EMail .
I also asked for a reciept. Stood there for 10 minutes while they bumbled about then left without a reciept.

 

[petee]

Customer service is getting really bad everywhere, look at your local Mcdonalds/Burger King/Wendys/Whatever for prove.

 

[splatter]

Customer service is getting really bad everywhere, look at your local Mcdonalds/Burger King/Wendys/Whatever for prove.

Yea its like everyone is using Covid as an excuse to half ass everything

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I'm just praying that Yellowstone caldera goes up soon and puts an end to...all this...

If it does, I have a front row seat

 

[romanianreaper]

Customer service is getting really bad everywhere, look at your local Mcdonalds/Burger King/Wendys/Whatever for prove.

Yeah, god forbid these people have to go 2 minutes without access to their phone at work.

At my job, nobody can have cell phones inside the building. For some of us that are a bit older, it is a blessing. We go check our phone during a break or something a few times a day.

I think most of us were brought up with a good work ethic and integrity. When I'm driving around sometimes, I see grass coming thru the cracks of the road and trash, etc. Drives me crazy. Why isn't this important anymore? Have some damn pride in making things look nice in this world.

 

[skullfxr]

My GC has such turnover of employees/management, it's day to day.

In contrast, my Sam Ash is fucking awesome. Same salesman who I buy from for a few years, and due to my loyalty, I get REALLY good prices, but I exclusively only buy used from them, and scoop up what has been sitting around if it interests me. My guy will even tell me when the next time the price is going to be lowered. He is direct enough to show me the screen and see what they took it in for and says how much commission he wants. I find it totally fair and reasonable. But usually I only get things that are hanging around for a few months. I have gotten IMO some insane deals. A MIJ Jackson DK2m with a ATA case for $250+tax. That kind of stuff.

 

[JimAnsell]

I waited like 20 minutes in line (line was 4 people), to buy some picks and strings yesterday. They were letting the phone ring off the hook too, which was really annoying. "fuckin answer that, dammit!"

 

[apophis]

in other news, in my town they are asking if I would like to "round my total off" when buying something in the store. I understand with the"coin shortage" they might do that, but this is even on debit and credit purchases. Always in their benefit of course. If its $17.20 they round to $18, not $17, they just round "up". Anybody else noticing this on physical stores?

 

[romanianreaper]

in other news, in my town they are asking if I would like to "round my total off" when buying something in the store. I understand with the"coin shortage" they might do that, but this is even on debit and credit purchases. Always in their benefit of course. If its $17.20 they round to $18, not $17, they just round "up". Anybody else noticing this on physical stores?

I haven't seen it but would be great to say "yeah f****er, I want to round down". LOL

 

[romanianreaper]

Not sure if any of you have been to the Sweetwater store, but it absolutely kicks ass. It is like going to Disneyworld for guitarists. They have a coffee shop, cafeteria, training rooms, etc. It is nice. Everyone is really cool too.

Guitar Center almost doesn't feel like a guitar store to me anymore. It feels like I'm going to a store that just happens to maybe have something I might want. But, they are different depending on the location. It is really a shame that Mom and Pop stores struggle sometimes because those are the best experiences. Great kicking back and talking to those guys about gear, bands, etc.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Customer service is getting really bad everywhere, look at your local Mcdonalds/Burger King/Wendys/Whatever for prove.

Yea its like everyone is using Covid as an excuse to half ass everything

From talking to a buddy, things aren't so hot for the GC employees right now.

Imagine you used to be the dude working in the guitar section and was hustling before, working for that commission. Now, you're one of 3 people in the whole place, fielding a huge number of calls and internet orders for drums, mics, keys, whatever, not to mention dealing with the line of folks impatiently waiting their turn to be one of the limited number of customers allowed in the store just to screw with you while the phones keep ringing, and you've got 8 hours to go. Don't forget, you have to wipe everything down after every time it's handled. But they're one of the "lucky" ones getting to work.


Not saying that it is an excuse, but that not-so-great job for most of them became absolutely crappy.
I feel bad for them and everyone else that has been negatively impacted in a work/financial way by this whole ordeal.

 

[NewWorldMan]

There’s so many different GCs, each with a different staff, etc. It’s hard to paint them all broadly with the same brush. Some have been great for me, some have been terrible.

 

[Racerxrated]

Customer service is getting really bad everywhere, look at your local Mcdonalds/Burger King/Wendys/Whatever for prove.

Yea its like everyone is using Covid as an excuse to half ass everything

From talking to a buddy, things aren't so hot for the GC employees right now.

Imagine you used to be the dude working in the guitar section and was hustling before, working for that commission. Now, you're one of 3 people in the whole place, fielding a huge number of calls and internet orders for drums, mics, keys, whatever, not to mention dealing with the line of folks impatiently waiting their turn to be one of the limited number of customers allowed in the store just to screw with you while the phones keep ringing, and you've got 8 hours to go. Don't forget, you have to wipe everything down after every time it's handled. But they're one of the "lucky" ones getting to work.


Not saying that it is an excuse, but that not-so-great job for most of them became absolutely crappy.
I feel bad for them and everyone else that has been negatively impacted in a work/financial way by this whole ordeal.

Not fun, for anyone really these days. I know many have had a beef with them, and other stores in general. But, for me it just really changes store to store. I've gotten some amazing finds over the years there, and I really value their used selection. Usually they are pretty solid and reliable, and the used return policy is great. Sure, not everyone's experience will be good but for the most part I've had good ones.