OT: New guitar center opened where I live...OMFG

[Justin Thyme]

I'm a former GC Guitar Department Mgr, and have chimed in from time to time on various forums when discussions of GC pop up.

Do you mind explaining why you're a former manager?

I know a number of people who were once managers at GC.

I'm partially disabled. After a couple years my back condition got worse, and I couldn't stand for 8 hours, much less lift guitar amps. If not for that, I'd probably still work there. I'm currently only able to work part time at a desk job.

It isn't the best place in the world, but it's not the great satan either.

[Sales Dude McBoob]

I'm a former GC Guitar Department Mgr, and have chimed in from time to time on various forums when discussions of GC pop up.

Do you mind explaining why you're a former manager?

I know a number of people who were once managers at GC.

I'm partially disabled. After a couple years my back condition got worse, and I couldn't stand for 8 hours, much less lift guitar amps. If not for that, I'd probably still work there. I'm currently only able to work part time at a desk job.

It isn't the best place in the world, but it's not the great satan either.

Do you think the rigors of the GC method played a role in bringing about your back pain?

[thelike5]

Pricing at GC is weird. For starters, if not for companies such as GC or Mars, most people would still be paying list prices. The mega stores have helped bring prices down for the average buyer.

One can easily use this philosophy for Wal-Mart...

I personally have had terrible dealings at Guitar Center. Everytime I walked in that store it was "What's up DDDUUDE!" "Check this out dude", etc. It was like the they hired both BILL and TED to work at the GC by me!

Then, after I DID BUY something you are practically frisked on the way out of that store! HAving to show receipts and having to let the semi but not really hot girl who worked the front of store counter (who I'm sure, got the job by sleeping with TED) search your bag!!

Yeah, I'm glad they keep the prices down by buying in bulk. So do Sweetwater. I'd gladly deal with there website then having to deal with the embaressment of walking into GC. Plus, Sweetwater sends you candy!!!

Yeah, the last few times I've been in GC I used the store to demo whatever I thought of buying elsewhere. I can't even do THAT anymore due to me being disgusted by having to hear all the Van Hallen or Ozzy licks from the 15 year old guitar wankers!

And forget about having to be nice to these fuckers to get a deal. You can smell the desparation a mile away with them needing to make a sale to not only make a tiny comission but to keep there job entirely before TED fires them for not making goal!

Yeah, I'll gladly wait the week for shipping of whatever I buy versus running over to GC

[thelike5]

Pricing at GC is weird. For starters, if not for companies such as GC or Mars, most people would still be paying list prices. The mega stores have helped bring prices down for the average buyer.

One can easily use this philosophy for Wal-Mart...

I personally have had terrible dealings at Guitar Center. Everytime I walked in that store it was "What's up DDDUUDE!" "Check this out dude", etc. It was like the they hired both BILL and TED to work at the GC by me!

Then, after I DID BUY something you are practically frisked on the way out of that store! HAving to show receipts and having to let the semi but not really hot girl who worked the front of store counter (who I'm sure, got the job by sleeping with TED) search your bag!!

Yeah, I'm glad they keep the prices down by buying in bulk. So do Sweetwater. I'd gladly deal with there website then having to deal with the embaressment of walking into GC. Plus, Sweetwater sends you candy!!!

Yeah, the last few times I've been in GC I used the store to demo whatever I thought of buying elsewhere. I can't even do THAT anymore due to me being disgusted by having to hear all the Van Hallen or Ozzy licks from the 15 year old guitar wankers!

And forget about having to be nice to these fuckers to get a deal. You can smell the desparation a mile away with them needing to make a sale to not only make a tiny comission but to keep there job entirely before TED fires them for not making goal!

Yeah, I'll gladly wait the week for shipping of whatever I buy versus running over to GC

[D K]

my chuckle had nothing to do with service, it had to do with the whole paying list
and saving money issue.
at least, in my last 25 years of buying music equipment in d.c. and the usa...
the cities had alot of mom n pop music shops which would specialize and compete for customers. it wasn't hard to get really great prices and have more product lines from different companies. now they've mostly (not all)
been run out of business by the warehouse companies...what really sucked was mars music folding right after the takeover and leaving only gc so there was nearly no competition...thank god for chuck levins music in wheaton, maryland.
but i do understand that gc has brought alot of gear to locations that otherwise would not have it, therefore there is a good side too...it's surely better than nothing.

[Justin Thyme]

Do you think the rigors of the GC method played a role in bringing about your back pain?

Well, rearranging displays certainly didn't help!

But in my case, it's from the military. I was a Marine Corps helo pilot, and was in a crash in '87. Although I didn't have immediate problems, I have degenerative back problems. Already had 2 discs removed in my neck, and have two other discs bulging in my thoracic spine.

[Justin Thyme]

Well, DK, I grew up in the Maryland area, and spent a lot of money at Chuck Levins. Back in the day of only mom and pops, they were certainly better than most.

But after 30+ years of shopping for music gear, I personally don't think the average privately owned store is/was much better than the average chain. I've found just as many idiots working at mom and pops as I've seen at the big stores....with lesser selection to boot.

GC leaves lots to be desired, no question about it. They are far from the ideal retail establishment. I'm just saying that they aren't the spawn of satan either.

As for the "forget about being nice", feel free to do as you wish. Yeah, you may get a discount without being nice, but I guarantee you, you aren't getting as good a deal as you could. If you want to be able to get the best possible deal consistantly, day in and day out, without even having to ask for one, then there is a better way. After spending a couple years reviewing deals with sales people, and listening to their conversations after the customers leave, this is the advice I have to give.

I'm just offering a little insight into how things work that the average customer doesn't get to see. After spending a couple years seeing what people get the best deals....consistantly....this is what I've found.

[theshaggyfreak]

I do my research and buy whatever it is I'm looking for at the place that sells it the cheapest. That may be an online store or GC. Being a poor musician, I get what I can afford. Maybe that'll change in the future but that's what I do for now. I generally don't rely on any salesman's pitch. I either do the research or sit with the product and use it at their store. *shrug*

[thelike5]

As for the "forget about being nice", feel free to do as you wish. Yeah, you may get a discount without being nice, but I guarantee you, you aren't getting as good a deal as you could. If you want to be able to get the best possible deal consistantly, day in and day out, without even having to ask for one, then there is a better way. After spending a couple years reviewing deals with sales people, and listening to their conversations after the customers leave, this is the advice I have to give.

I appreacite the insight but I happen to know that if I don't get thebest deal possible, I don't buy it...

[SUPERBANANBOMB]

There are also a lot of items in GC's "pro audio" department that are reg-tagged in the computer, which means that they are hot sellers and cannot be sold for less than the marked price. I tried getting my buddy to hook me up with cheap price on Serato and he couldn't. For most things though, you can get a hefty chunk knocked off if you are just cool with someone. And like someone else said, always come back and talk to the same guy... he'll get to like you a lot better and will hook you up every time.

Also, I know Guitar Center can suck but I'd rather get my gear right then and there. I HATE waiting for shipping... not to mention paying for it. I'd gladly endure the turds in pretty much any GC to get my gear CHEAPER than anywhere else, not to mention get it that day.

[Justin Thyme]

I also prefer getting my mitts on it right then and there. Not to mention, in the off chance you have to return something, it's much easier to do face to face than via the mail.

In any case, I have a solid enough relationship with a few people at different stores that I get 10% over cost just by walking through the door. So saving 15-30% off what online retailers are asking is well worth suffering the kid at the door.

But to each their own. I know that GC isn't always a fun place for the average shopper, due to wankers.

[theshaggyfreak]

But to each their own. I know that GC isn't always a fun place for the average shopper, due to wankers.

I hardly even go to the guitar side of the store these days due to this. Too many people trying to be Metallica or Les Claypool. I'm pretty much sticking to either used guitars these days anyway. I like things with 'character'. I love Atomic Music in Maryland! There is some major history in some of the instruments there.

I sometimes do grab good deals at GC and I'm always polite to the people working there. I used to work at Music and Arts Center (now owned by GC) and I know how it feels to work retail at one of those joints. I also like that I can get some deals with the credit card where you don't have to pay interest for a year. This is pretty helpful for poor guys like me.