MF VS Sweetwater VS American Musical VS GC.

[Detroit1973]

Who has the best return Policy in the business? I may be purchasing something next month & would like to buy from a place that values it's customers.

 

[maddnotez]

I've only done returns with SW and it is a hassle free policy.

 

[Detroit1973]

I've only done returns with SW and it is a hassle free policy.

They always seem to really "Care" about their customers

 

[misterspockyall]

MF is GC, not pretty. Wouldn't exchange a broken amp, if I wanted a new one sooner than 4-6 weeks, I had to buy a second and wait til I die to get my refund on the first lol. Ymmv

 

[romanianreaper]

I'm sure everyone has their own stories about the different companies and good and bad things that have happened. I used to be a Musicians Friend devotee and bought gear throughout the year like crazy. Started in the late 80s and went all the way to probably 2010 or so. I noticed a difference in the customer service for a certain period where I was getting completely clueless staff with no personality and couldn't help me at all. I basically just had to give them my credit card number and pray. I also had gotten two broken amps, chipped guitars, etc. With that said, I'm sure they rebounded from that period.

Sweetwater is the place I order from now. They give you one sales rep that handles your purchases, and the one I had before (retired now) was awesome. We actually had a few conversations about bands, gear, etc. and was always willing to help me reserve something, answered questions, etc. I got one of the first Friedman ASM-12s before they were even in stores because he set one aside for me weeks before it arrived.

Some people think it is lame that they include a bag of candy in orders and call you, etc. I get that but the one thing I'll say is that they don't have to do anything like that but just want to build a relationship with their customers. I've been to their annual GearFest, and planning on going this year and it is such a good time. It is like a big picnic for gear heads and is free to go, free bottles of water all day long, famous musicians you can meet, etc.

The last thing I'll say is that I'd buy from any of those companies you listed but I tend to stick with one and be loyal. That way, if you do need to send something back, there is a better relationship there and I feel they would be more willing to get it fixed.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

regarding customer service and returns, Sweetwater by a mile. That being said, I never get the sweet discounts others here report- even with a price match from a competitor. Weird. So I get all of my stuff from MFriend and zzounds. I had a few returns over the years with no hassle. I don't need a consultant to walk me through any gear, so I want best price/financing terms and they do that for me by a large margin. Depends on your needs for the purchase.

 

[Spaceboy]

SW is tough to get discounts from spending on your salesman, but they are so easy to deal with returns and other customer service issues. I almost always buy from SW if I can’t get something locally, if they carry it. I get called once after a purchase, but they don’t blow up my phone. I deal with my dude mostly via email.

 

[cardinal]

I like GC because I can just go to the physical store and return something.

 

[napalmdeath]

Zzounds and AMS have 45 days, I believe. I've spent alot with both. Their 3, 5, 6, 8 and 12 interest free payments are icing on the cake. And, they don't call and harass you after the sale. Sweetwater does shady shit with marketing, and their 55-point inspection is a joke.

I get my orders in 2 days from Zzounds and AMS since they have a warehouse in Mississippi.

Zzounds and AMS get my vote. Never a problem with returns, in my experience. They do have some dipshits there, but who doesn't. But, they're nice people, and really helpful.

 

[japetus]

I always go with AMS, because when I was young and broke, AMS helped me get gear on their flex payment plan that I really needed. So I still go with them and they have never let me down otherwise.

 

[maddnotez]

SW is tough to get discounts from spending on your salesman, but they are so easy to deal with returns and other customer service issues. I almost always buy from SW if I can’t get something locally, if they carry it. I get called once after a purchase, but they don’t blow up my phone. I deal with my dude mostly via email.

Agreed on both fronts. I can get very small discounts on top of what the website says, especially on open box items but nothing major.

I prefer to buy from them and they usually have the biggest selection. The recently have started carrying Caparsion guitars which is cool.

They can order anything you want without a problem while with Musician's Friend I had to talk to two different people to get that done, it took them 3 days to respond and then quoted 6-8 weeks for a guitar in a color that is production but not offered by MF.

Zzounds and AMS have 45 days, I believe. I've spent alot with both. Their 3, 5, 6, 8 and 12 interest free payments are icing on the cake. And, they don't call and harass you after the sale. Sweetwater does shady shit with marketing, and their 55-point inspection is a joke.

I get my orders in 2 days from Zzounds and AMS since they have a warehouse in Mississippi.

Zzounds and AMS get my vote. Never a problem with returns, in my experience. They do have some dipshits there, but who doesn't. But, they're nice people, and really helpful.

Have never used AMS, mostly because my credit is with SW and MF but you are right about the SW 55 point inspection. It is a complete joke AND their custom setups are not good. The inspection thing is the only problem that I have had with SW. Got a few guitars sent and returned that should have never left the factory.

But to get back to the topic. When you do get a lemon, a guitar that isn't 100%, buyers remorse or something you just don't like. You can return it without a hassle. They might ask why one time and that is all.

 

[napalmdeath]

SW is tough to get discounts from spending on your salesman, but they are so easy to deal with returns and other customer service issues. I almost always buy from SW if I can’t get something locally, if they carry it. I get called once after a purchase, but they don’t blow up my phone. I deal with my dude mostly via email.

Agreed on both fronts. I can get very small discounts on top of what the website says, especially on open box items but nothing major.

I prefer to buy from them and they usually have the biggest selection. The recently have started carrying Caparsion guitars which is cool.

They can order anything you want without a problem while with Musician's Friend I had to talk to two different people to get that done, it took them 3 days to respond and then quoted 6-8 weeks for a guitar in a color that is production but not offered by MF.

Zzounds and AMS have 45 days, I believe. I've spent alot with both. Their 3, 5, 6, 8 and 12 interest free payments are icing on the cake. And, they don't call and harass you after the sale. Sweetwater does shady shit with marketing, and their 55-point inspection is a joke.

I get my orders in 2 days from Zzounds and AMS since they have a warehouse in Mississippi.

Zzounds and AMS get my vote. Never a problem with returns, in my experience. They do have some dipshits there, but who doesn't. But, they're nice people, and really helpful.

Have never used AMS, mostly because my credit is with SW and MF but you are right about the SW 55 point inspection. It is a complete joke AND their custom setups are not good. The inspection thing is the only problem that I have had with SW. Got a few guitars sent and returned that should have never left the factory.

But to get back to the topic. When you do get a lemon, a guitar that isn't 100%, buyers remorse or something you just don't like. You can return it without a hassle. They might ask why one time and that is all.

Anybody takes back guitars of you don't like them, you're just on the hook for shipping.

 

[Meeotch]

Sweetwater returns - I just want to make sure I'm reading the fine print right. When you order something free shipping, and then want to return it, you pay return shipping, and then they ALSO deduct what it would have cost to ship it to you in the first place?

 

[maddnotez]

Sweetwater returns - I just want to make sure I'm reading the fine print right. When you order something free shipping, and then want to return it, you pay return shipping, and then they ALSO deduct what it would have cost to ship it to you in the first place?

It could be dependent on your situation.

I have returned 2 guitars and they always provideded a prepaid postage.

BUT mine were considered "defective" (binding paint was dogshit on both guitars) so maybe if it is just a "oh well, I didn't like it" and nothing was wrong with the guitar you would have to pay shipping, not sure about that one.

 

[Meeotch]

Gotcha, they have some amps I've always wanted to try. I could swallow paying return shipping, but if I'd also be charged for initial shipping costs, it becomes less realistic for me.

I'm not dogging on SW if this is the case, because I would understand that they can't afford to ship amps for people to try out.

 

[ClintN667]

Zzounds has been really good with me. I've returned stuff on multiple item orders on their payment plan and they would just credit me the difference on the first couple of payments. Like if I returned a 200 dollar pedal they would knock the $200 before charging me anything else. The downside to ZZounds is there selection is limited. I would love to get a Friedman Butterslax but they dont carry any Friedman signature.

 

[skullfxr]

I always go MF for 'disposable' stuff because their deals are hard to beat. SW for bigger purchases, usually my guy is reasonable with deals.

 

[Chris6870]

I tend to buy fro GC. I hate trying gear out in the store. also they have great deals on their used website. So I order it, if I like it great, if not I ride out to their store and return it. No hassles and no shipping fees. Also been buying pedals and stuff from Amazon. One day free shipping on most stuff and easy returns.

 

[Racerxrated]

I tend to buy fro GC. I hate trying gear out in the store. also they have great deals on their used website. So I order it, if I like it great, if not I ride out to their store and return it. No hassles and no shipping fees. Also been buying pedals and stuff from Amazon. One day free shipping on most stuff and easy returns.

This, except Amazon. I usually look for vintage stuff, and they are the only place I know of that has a great return policy on used gear..I have used Zzounds before on the few new items I've bought, like 5153 50s and I've returned them with no problem.

 

[JTyson]

Ive dealt with SW for years, haven't returned a lot of stuff, but a few things with zero issues. They have always treated me right, but I usually know exactly what I want before I buy it. If I do buy something to try out, I think its reasonable to pay for return shipping, but they have never charged it. My rep does all he can to keep me coming back.