lame GC experience today...

[endofall]

Those kinds of things are better with a manager or assistant.

This. Or, call and ask for a different sales rep. My experience with different sales reps has really varied.

But I still find great underpriced items on their used site. 1974 1960a cab w/creambacks-399. Great condition. 1978 Fawn 1960a cab w/blackbacks-499. Great condition. Found these last spring. There was a matching 78 fawn 2203 and fawn 1960a cab for 1499 a month ago. That's a steal. Both looked mint.

Pretty much this. The last several times I have tried to talk to a sales associate about discounting something in a store I wasn't able to get any type of deal. It does vary from store to store though. I buy mostly from the used site now.

 

[SpiderWars]

Wow, just came across this today. Anybody see anything wrong with this ad in the link below?
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/PRS/Ar ... mbo-Amp.gc















Hint: It's not an Archon, it's a 2 Channel H. Look where the 2 Channel H logo is located:

Really?

 

[messenger]

Sorry you didn't get the deal you wanted, but for all he knew, you were going to offer $500 and a Squier trade in, like probably five other people already offered that week. You obviously wanted it, so it's not like he needs to try to convince you. You needed to convince him, IMHO. Make the offer. Back it up with comps, and mention how long it's been there.

But just asking for a vague discount probably made him think you were a tire kicker.

well, I mentioned the duration it had been there, and that it was due for a price drop. he obviously knew that I meant the price could be adjusted, hence his comment about the price being what it is...

But look from his perspective. He has no idea you had $1600. If you had sometime for sale here and someone sent you a pm just saying hey man, the price is too high, would you take that seriously? I wouldn't. I can appreciate someone making an offer, but it's smells of a tire kicker when someone won't make an offer but is just fishing for something. At least to me.

ok. lets wind it back. I used to work at GC. I know their whole shtick, all of the terms they use, I can even work their computers to see the costs and what they brought the items in for, how much money they have into etc etc.

I told him its DUE FOR A PRICE DROP. thats not opaque. thats GC language clearly meaning, its been here for over 40 days, you can discount it. HE knew it, I knew it. He didn't WANT to make it happen. thats all there is to it.

EVERY single time I ask a more apt salesperson from guitar center "how long has it been in the system?" they always know exactly what WE are getting at.

Maybe u should have told him THAT

I did!! Hahah, only on rig talk do you get harped on for anything and everything.
Dude, your trying to find fault with ME in this transaction is the funniest part of the entire ordeal so far.

I mean ALL of it. Not just "it's due for a price drop"

 

[crankyrayhanky]

When's the last time anyone had a positive experience at GC or SA?
For me it was 2003ish
I don't know how they're still in business

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I dunno, I get 15-20% off coupons in emails from GC and MI all of the time so you'd think they'd bend a bit, especially with inventory thats been around for months without moving. Fuck em...let it sit some more and get 50% off on their going out of business sale hahah.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

When's the last time anyone had a positive experience at GC or SA?
For me it was 2003ish
I don't know how they're still in business

Because people trade lower prices for customer service. Since Guitar Center came here almost all of the local shops have closed down. I routinely hear "why didn't you just go to guitar center they have better prices" when I frequent my locally owned shop. I always include that I'm supporting local business, even if aI lay a little more I get treated like a good customer every time I go there. At GC it's definitely hit or miss.

As for the OP, I agree you should have asked for a manager to see what they could do. If that failed, call corporate like all of the other folks that don't get their way

 

[thisguy]

The way it works for me is they have a used item I want but it's overpriced. They don't deal until it's been there long enough. One day you go by there and it's gone because they finally dropped the price and someone snatched it up.

I don't even care or try anymore.

 

[JackBootedThug]

When's the last time anyone had a positive experience at GC or SA?
For me it was 2003ish
I don't know how they're still in business

Because people trade lower prices for customer service. Since Guitar Center came here almost all of the local shops have closed down. I routinely hear "why didn't you just go to guitar center they have better prices" when I frequent my locally owned shop. I always include that I'm supporting local business, even if aI lay a little more I get treated like a good customer every time I go there. At GC it's definitely hit or miss.

As for the OP, I agree you should have asked for a manager to see what they could do. If that failed, call corporate like all of the other folks that don't get their way

yea. I don't think I articulated very well in the OP, the kid just had ATTITUDE> like a fuck you MAN kind of attitude. I just kinda let it go thinking wow. this guy doesnt WANT to even MAKE AN EFFORT.

typical attitude of this younger generation.(fuck i'm getting old), he was probably tired from demonstrating the night before with all his LGBTIGABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ buddies.....
have a heart reza....

 

[messenger]

I'm guessing they don't get commission on their sales?

 

[155]

haha that kid outwitted you! who the hell would ask some little emo turd for a price break...go straight to the manager hes the only one with that kind of power...live and learn

 

[JimmyBlind]

Don't buy from shops.

You're welcome.

 

[Chris O]

Guess that'll teach you for coming in and playing "Enter Sandman".












Poorly.

 

[reilly]

GC doesn't do deals anymore. I worked there for a few years and only 2-3 of those employees are left. Commission for the most part went out the door two-three years ago. they pay hourly now with a very small % for commissions. Majority of the veterans that knew their stuff are gone due to the newer pay plan and the new guys are kids that don't know anything about gear and are not sales people.

Used gear does not get discounted until 90 days unless it's broken otherwise it has become a no haggle policy. New gear under $500 is also not discounted unless it's on sale or you have a coupon.

Aside from the occasional used gear online I have no reason to shop there.

 

[Jdub]

Thanks for the inspiration. Their workforce is shit for the most part. Here is my yelp review of my Local Clackamas, Oregon Store. ( which used to be pretty awesome by the way)


"Very recently, I drove 80 miles to the Clackamas GC. I was in great spirits and with 5k to spend on myself in celebration of a very successful year in a business of my own. I was eyeballing a used Suhr tele, a new PRS and a good combo amp. I called enroute and was cut off 3 times, sat on hold forever then spoke with "Teresa" in guitars. She was totally rude and dismissive on the phone and could not be bothered my simple inquiry with regards to in store availability of non SE PRS's. Not only was she rude but also clueless about products. I called back and spoke with a manager. Mike Morris I believe was his name. He was not much better and was not very interested in hearing the shortcomings of his staff. Instead he was defensive. Pathetic service and integrity all the way up the chain of command. That speaks clearly to me it is time to shop elsewhere. No apology, no empathy, no offer to make it right, no nothing. Nether Teresa in guitars nor the pathetic excuse for a "manager" have any business in service. Sorry Toby and Tiger, you two guys are solid, but you're coworkers and manager have chased my support out the door. I can't support a store that allows staff to treat customers that way.

Needless to say I spent my money elsewhere. ( 5 Star guitar in Tanasbourne and Sweetwater.) Both have GREAT service.. They care about their customer and ultimately their own success too. GC failed.. again!"

 

[Starman22]

Yeah but does a Sweetwater sales associate show you his shred chops and riff prowess on the guitar you want to view? Does any online customer agent tell you all about his band playing that weekend and then try to steer you towards the Blackstar amp area because they are cool? Didn't think so. You all are just haterz... yes with a z.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

When's the last time anyone had a positive experience at GC or SA?
For me it was 2003ish
I don't know how they're still in business

Literally never in 20 years. Not even trying to be funny. Never.

 

[SpiderWars]

I bought a GC online used '76 JMP Superlead and had it shipped to the closest store. I walked in, they went and got the box, I unpacked right there and left a huge mess, bubble-wrap and popcorn everywhere...got up grabbed my amp and left very happy. So there was that one time.

 

[garey77]

I bought a GC online used '76 JMP Superlead and had it shipped to the closest store. I walked in, they went and got the box, I unpacked right there and left a huge mess, bubble-wrap and popcorn everywhere...got up grabbed my amp and left very happy. So there was that one time.

 

[garey77]

I have a great dislike for packing peanuts.

 

[Deleted member 10619]

I'm with Reza on this one... Shitty customer service provided. No effort, no further explanation, no attempt at doing something else.

This is clearly a scenario of "customer expectation does not meet company policy", so in the end the customer HAS to follow company procedure. BUT... that is why a company has a customer rep in the first place; to handle these kind of situations. Remember good customer service is NOT just complying with what a customer wants/requests (discounts, special treatment, etc) but offer good and sensible information back to the customer when something does not meet a certain expectation (because company/management...).

Example:

"Oh, I'm sorry I can't get you any sort of deal with this product you clearly want. We can't lower prices on products unless they sit there for at least [90] days. How much money do you have with you at this point? Hmm ok... let me see *if* a manager might help you out with this, let me speak with him and see if we can arrange something for you, OK? I can't guarantee this will work out, but hopefully the manager might approve!"

Reza wouldn't be posting this situation if the customer rep wasn't THAT shitty and did something to the extent of the example I provided.

So... Reza is simply wrong in just being a customer doing customer things, which is NORMAL behavior.