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View Full Version : Once again, Guitar Center employs morons


Kainen
12-28-2006, 05:12 PM
So my mom went to guitar center to get me something for christmas. She asks what I wanted.

me: "Yeah I need a gretsch/gibralter tom mount and a brick of sticks"

mom: "what? could you write that down?"

I write it down clearly


A week later my mom calls me while at guitar center and has me personally talk to the sales person.

me: "Yeah I need a tom mount for a Gretsch Renown Maple Kit. I know you don't sell Grestch mounts, but you have Gibralter tom mounts"

Sales man: "We don't have any new ones but we have a used one."

me: "yeah thats fine"

Sales man: "Okay and you needed wood tipped vic firth ROCK sticks?"

me: "yessir!"

*Christmas morning*

Wow sweet a brick of drum sticks... Nylon tipped drums sticks *bitch*

Wow a Tom mount! too bad its not a gibralter NOR does it fit grestch drums.

MORONS.

Chippy569
12-28-2006, 05:21 PM
go back and beat him with every single stick, until they're all broken.

HeLLmO
12-28-2006, 05:23 PM
do they gibraltar mounts work on the renoun maples? because i've been looking for a mount for my renoun maple toms

static
12-28-2006, 05:24 PM
...they aren't your's....

Senseless Apprentice
12-28-2006, 05:25 PM
Ahhh the humanity!

HeLLmO
12-28-2006, 05:29 PM
your right george, they aren't mine. i'm sorry to have offended you

Kainen
12-28-2006, 05:29 PM
do they gibraltar mounts work on the renoun maples? because i've been looking for a mount for my renoun maple toms



yessir.

Undisco Kidd
12-28-2006, 05:33 PM
You made a mistake by sending your mom to do it. I know it was a gift, and a nice action on her side, but she isn't a drummer, and doesn't know exactly what you want. For all you know, the guy talked her into getting nylon tipped sticks with some BS about them lasting longer (they've tried that on me before) and your mom decided it'd be nice to go ahead and get better ones, and you'd like that more.

Go return the stuff, it shouldn't be a big deal.

HeLLmO
12-28-2006, 05:36 PM
yessir.

aw sick, i've been lookin' for a double tom mount for 'em so i could get 'em off the bass drum, so now that i've done that.....i need to find a really heavy duty cymbal stand

Kainen
12-28-2006, 05:36 PM
You made a mistake by sending your mom to do it. I know it was a gift, and a nice action on her side, but she isn't a drummer, and doesn't know exactly what you want. For all you know, the guy talked her into getting nylon tipped sticks with some BS about them lasting longer (they've tried that on me before) and your mom decided it'd be nice to go ahead and get better ones, and you'd like that more.

Go return the stuff, it shouldn't be a big deal.

its only a pain in the *** since its a 45 minute drive to my guitar center, which is a trip I HATE taking in my super slow VW bus against the wind.


I would expect a little more out of a salesman then to try to sell my mother something she didn't ask for.... oh wait.. no I don't.

White Riot!
12-28-2006, 05:38 PM
Better to go to a store that gives real service. I'd rather give my money to people who deserve it

Inkstar
12-28-2006, 06:51 PM
Blow up the store imo.

Zildjian
12-28-2006, 07:00 PM
local store's FTW

GC sucks

Undisco Kidd
12-28-2006, 07:04 PM
local store's FTW

GC sucks

A pair of Vic Firths at my local store = 11 dollars.

drummguy731
12-28-2006, 07:08 PM
The more I go to GC, the more I see the idiocy in it. They sold my mom Groove Juice when I told her specifically nothing but Zildjian Cleaner if they have it (they told her that's whay they use, psh yeah right, I'm thinking of going in there and asking them for a demonstration), they conned her into Tricks Drum Polish (which does nothing), and they conned her into the HQ Real Feel One Sided Pad. I feel sorry sending her into there, so I don't anymore.

Zildjian
12-28-2006, 07:10 PM
A pair of Vic Firths at my local store = 11 dollars.

thats why you buy in bulk

Sammy_L_D
12-28-2006, 07:44 PM
This is why you should never shop at any corporate store--let alone a store that pays people COMMISSION.

NCDrummer
12-28-2006, 07:48 PM
dude big chain stores like that have no heart or soul! Little stores will usually have the less common but good stuff and will have employees who know wtf they're talking about instead of getting all of their knowledge from a video they watched 9 months ago when their APPLICATION WAS EXCEPTED!

HUGS NOT DRUGS!

drummguy731
12-28-2006, 07:50 PM
Yeah, small and local stores have a lot more friendly people too!

moogoogaipan
12-28-2006, 08:11 PM
Yeah, small and local stores have a lot more friendly people too!

Oy, I wish it was that way here.
We used to have one good local store and it closed down about the time GC opened.
All are within 10 minutes of me.

Anyway... so there is one local store still open and it's run by pure dumbasses and pricks. My friends used to use it as a hub for lessons. They would get their paycheck from the student and then give a small percentage to the owners of the store... well the owners favored a different system and told the students to pay them (The owners) and when the teachers came looking for their checks, Rik's Music gave their money, but with an even bigger portion cut out of it.
They also have a really odd way of trying to sell their products, it's downright weird when you are getting sold a drum product by some guy who plays guitar.

drummguy731
12-28-2006, 08:15 PM
Hmm, well, almost everyone in Ireland is cool, :lol:

lmldrummer
12-28-2006, 10:09 PM
my local store is just dumb

well...not the store, the people that work there

well...the drum people =[

NewMetman
12-28-2006, 11:03 PM
until they're all broken.

The sales clerks or the drumsticks?

Local stores rule. My local store gives me a discount because i have bought so much there:naughty:

Druumer89
12-28-2006, 11:38 PM
I never, ever, send my mom to get anything like that, because i have learned from the past that they can not do it alone, ever.

Critical error on your part.

the_pure_drummer
12-29-2006, 04:38 AM
My mum refuse's to buy me drum gear.

Not because she doesnt want me playong, because she knows that this kinda thing will happen. She just says "i dont have a clue what any of this means (a list) so you can go buy it, and ill come with you".

Which is cool because i love going to the store.

pitchfork
12-29-2006, 05:06 AM
Small local stores are expensive but at least they hire musicians, not emo cunts just under the line of mental and physical retardation like chains.

"Good morning dear sir I'm looking for a pair of vater 5b's, could you please point your stick rack out to me?"
"nnyyeehh we has dem joeee arheds in da bak lyk, u want me ta fetch ya a per lyk I iz gonna go wank over da aheds myaheyeeaa nyehhhah, bereak da cymbols lyk all da good drummaz wen u grip em tite"

Even one of my local ones is like that, but I go the "drum company uk" one now, they'll treat you good.
The bloke who owns/ runs it is a drum teacher, knows what he's talking about and all.

Retarded Chipple
12-29-2006, 05:36 AM
I went into a local store and asked for "clear Remo ambassadors in rock sizes" and the guy behind the counter turns around and starts searching through the guitar strings! Me and my mum just looked at each other like "wtf?!" After like 5 minutes he turns back and says "sorry I don't actually recognise that make, so I'm not sure we actually have them in stock?"

Me: "well you wouldn't, they're drum heads, not guitar strings"
Guy: "lol, right I see, sorry haha"

So he takes me to the drum heads and hands me like every available size of Pinstripes..."is that what you're after?"

Me: "no, I want clear ambassadors"
Guy "we have those white ones....

*me leaves*

Thats store is now closed...yay.

maniac0796
12-29-2006, 05:38 AM
Heh, thank god we don't have corporate stores in the UK.

I make friends will all the employees at PM. It's got me 10% discount on all hardware and accessories, and when one guys working, VAT off on top of that.

I never let my 'rents buy me drum stuff, and if they do, i make it a point to go there and make sure they buy the right stuff.

And i hate you people who bitch about your GC being "45 mins away". I live in like, one of the most rural areas of britain, and i have to go on a bus that takes an hour and a half, then a 20 minute walk to get to my local music shop. That's nearly 2 hours of travel! 2 hours! Stop whining. 45mins would be bliss.

Vannaroth
12-29-2006, 05:54 AM
I guess my "local" store is Wembley Drum Centre, but that's more like an independant GC than your typical local store. There are a couple I've been to in in central London but one of them has pretty poor stock and the other is run by some angry old man.

moogoogaipan
12-29-2006, 05:56 AM
45mins would be bliss.

I'm not whining. Guitar Center is about 5 minutes from me:smoke: ...

I don't trust them to answer questions, but as long as I know what I want, the service is fine at my store. Best and only music store in Knoxville. Otherwise I have to drive 3 hours to Nashville to go to Fork's Drum Closet (which by the way is one of the world's biggest drum stores). It's great.

the_pure_drummer
12-29-2006, 07:51 AM
My loacal store is about 20 minuter drive from my house which is a pretty cool drive actually and there are to store close to eachother. So if one doesnt have something i want the other will!

Josiah
12-29-2006, 08:03 AM
Gc Ftw!!1!!11!

ringworm
12-29-2006, 08:04 AM
the only thing good about GC are the reduced prices that Mom & Pop's cant compeat with, so high prices, longer ordering times, less in-stock vs everything you could want cheaper but with pricks behind the counter?

My 2 Fav local shops closed when GC came so I have no choice.

You shoulda seen what I went through when I asked if they would strike a few cymbals so I could hear them from around 20' away from the kit.

They looked at me like I was crazy for wanting to hear how the cymbal would sound from an audience's perspective?

pitchfork
12-29-2006, 08:47 AM
I only really buy from a store if its sticks or something small, or i'll test something out.
I buy online with big things, its cheaper and easier.

Marky_Mark
12-29-2006, 09:01 AM
They also have a really odd way of trying to sell their products, it's downright weird when you are getting sold a drum product by some guy who plays guitar.

Hey that happened to me at my local GC and I got my Pearl Elim Hat stand for $80...cant complain on that...I like GC, every time I walk away seemed to have gotten stuff for mad cheap, especially sticks.

The two local family owned stores are run by idiots selling me one cymbal sleeve for $5, when i can get a pack for $3.50.

Kainen
12-29-2006, 01:35 PM
The guy got one thing right though. He sold my mom the correct type of drum heads.. Evans G2 clear. AMAZING.


I can't visit the local shops for brackets, they sell some bottom of the line equipment i've never heard of before. The selection is so limited they almost never have the sticks or heads I want. Hence I am forced to travel to guitar center. Or send my mom for christmas. never again shall I do that to her.

static
12-29-2006, 01:43 PM
I got an HH Raw Bell Dry Ride for 220, 100 less than on MF.

the_pure_drummer
12-29-2006, 01:47 PM
Good find dude! Whats it like?

Fuzzy
12-29-2006, 01:58 PM
The sales clerks or the drumsticks?

Local stores rule. My local store gives me a discount because i have bought so much there:naughty:

TOTALLY! Same here! They also match internet prices. Find a good deal on Musician's Friend, print out the page, they'll match it. God I love localness.

static
12-29-2006, 02:09 PM
Good find dude! Whats it like?


It was a while back. I returned it and got a K Ride off of MF. It was a beautiful cymbal, I definitely recommend it. If I ever get a second ride, that would be the one.

zfzgg
12-30-2006, 12:59 AM
A pair of Vic Firths at my local store = 11 dollars.

A pair of Vic Firth's at my closest store = $23:p .

But i'm moving, to within 10 minutes of my muich loved drum shop:).

From what i keep hearing, GC must really suck quite hard. Why do people bother going there?

60 Hertz Jig
12-30-2006, 01:40 AM
From what i keep hearing, GC must really suck quite hard. Why do people bother going there?

I think it depends on the people working there, really. There are two Guitar Center's I go to, and while one has decent employees, the other has a really helpful staff that I absolutely love.

Edit: $23?! Wow, maybe I have a terrible memory, but I think the VF sticks I just picked up were $7.

zfzgg
12-30-2006, 01:53 AM
Check my location:P

Plus, it's a shoddy store. I usually to 'The Drum Shop", it's another half hour away (totalling 90 minutes), but i get sticks for a mere $20 there. haha. (Not to mention all the other bonuses...).

I'm also moving to the same area as that shop soon.

60 Hertz Jig
12-30-2006, 02:02 AM
Check my location:P

Plus, it's a shoddy store. I usually to 'The Drum Shop", it's another half hour away (totalling 90 minutes), but i get sticks for a mere $20 there. haha. (Not to mention all the other bonuses...).

I'm also moving to the same area as that shop soon.

Ah, right. That sucks, man, though at least you're moving closer to the shop! :)

Josiah
12-30-2006, 03:20 AM
A pair of Vic Firth's at my closest store = $23:p .

But i'm moving, to within 10 minutes of my muich loved drum shop:).

From what i keep hearing, GC must really suck quite hard. Why do people bother going there?


What!? seesh!!
Order online and buy in bulk! By the brick is your friend!



GC's -

They vary in quality. Where I live, there are 3 within a 20 min drive, and several drum stores as well. The thing about GC is, they have a lot more selection in most cases on the floor. So being able to har things before you buy it is a big factor, also, they tend to be cheaper then most anyone. And offer % discounts when you spend particular amounts.

Though from my experience. You should be able to tell if a salesmen knows his stuff, and if he doesn't. I just ask to see another one. Or even better, just go in knowing what you want. And if it's a cymbal or such.. you bring your own sticks, keep to yourself and when you find the one you like. Say, hey i wanna buy this.

Generally if you are cool, they tend to be cool. Though some paitence is nessicary sometimes. Though GC is nice, few other places keep 6 of the same exact model cymbal in stock. Amazing when you get 3 or 4 of the same cymbal next to each other, all alil different.. and then one sticks out!

zfzgg
12-30-2006, 03:59 AM
Order online and buy in bulk! By the brick is your friend!

This seems like a good idea. I shall enquire about prices next time i'm there.

...As well as on the net, right now...Provided i can find an Australian site.

ant_182
12-30-2006, 04:25 AM
Shame u had such bad luck TS. I on the other hand didnt :):p


-Ant-

carlh2003
12-30-2006, 05:04 AM
I only really buy from a store if its sticks or something small, or i'll test something out.
I buy online with big things, its cheaper and easier.

Yeah ^^

pitchfork
12-30-2006, 08:11 AM
Order online and buy in bulk! By the brick is your friend!

No truer words ever said, I've still got a couple of pairs from my last brick left over.
80 something quid for 12 pairs of dave weckyl evos some ebay store did them for me.

i'm getting more into my vaters now though, thinking of some 5a's or 5b's or something next time I order a brick

Zildjian
12-30-2006, 08:56 AM
I paid $60 for a brick of HD9's

*pulls out calculator*

thats 5 bucks a pair

Bricks are the way to go if you found a solid stick

Jezen
12-30-2006, 09:26 AM
Lets kill all the guitarists in the world except the ones I like. Maybe then there will be no GC and Drum Centre will be the new thing. n00b guitarists will go there and get sold gimmicks. Hehey!

I need more coffee.

60 Hertz Jig
12-30-2006, 11:57 AM
Lets kill all the guitarists in the world except the ones I like. Maybe then there will be no GC and Drum Centre will be the new thing. n00b guitarists will go there and get sold gimmicks. Hehey!

I need more coffee.

I'm all for that idea!

And coffee is good. :chug:

Damo
12-30-2006, 04:26 PM
This seems like a good idea. I shall enquire about prices next time i'm there.

...As well as on the net, right now...Provided i can find an Australian site.
www.onlinemusicstore.com

The problem with buying bulk is that you awalys end up paying for a few 'dud' pairs

zfzgg
12-30-2006, 05:13 PM
There's another good point. hmm..

Still worth it though, you think?

Afrokid
12-30-2006, 07:23 PM
go back and beat him with every single stick, until they're all broken.

hahahahha

pitchfork
12-31-2006, 06:51 AM
Lets kill all the guitarists in the world except the ones I like. Maybe then there will be no GC and Drum Centre will be the new thing. n00b guitarists will go there and get sold gimmicks. Hehey!

I need more coffee.

Good idea, drink some jamaican blue mountain.

PowerStamp
01-01-2007, 04:22 AM
I dunno what's up with all your guitar centers lol...the one here is OK though I've only been there twice.

I work at Musicians Friend, and our retail store is staffed with mostly musicians, at least the sales reps are. The ones that aren't musicians are cashiers.
As far as the IC people (in the back, who actually go into the warehouse to get what you want), we're all musicians too (that's where I work half the time)


Although our store has the edge of being able to buy anything you see at the MF site or in the catalogue...

White Riot!
01-01-2007, 08:45 AM
GUITAR CENTER EMPLOYS MORONS WORSE THAN THIS!
http://a69.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/24/l_6eaae00fad5106ac8509e1689cfdd26c.jpg

Chippy569
01-01-2007, 09:19 AM
wow, that's like the third thread you have some dumbass pointless post with that pic of yourself. seriously dude, get out more.

goalieman92
01-01-2007, 10:11 AM
local store's FTW

GC sucks

Not all the time. the only local drum store around me sucks ***.
And I got some good help and some good deals at my "local" GC
Heh, thank god we don't have corporate stores in the UK.

I make friends will all the employees at PM. It's got me 10% discount on all hardware and accessories, and when one guys working, VAT off on top of that.

I never let my 'rents buy me drum stuff, and if they do, i make it a point to go there and make sure they buy the right stuff.

And i hate you people who bitch about your GC being "45 mins away". I live in like, one of the most rural areas of britain, and i have to go on a bus that takes an hour and a half, then a 20 minute walk to get to my local music shop. That's nearly 2 hours of travel! 2 hours! Stop whining. 45mins would be bliss.

My local GC is 4 hrs. away, so stop your bitching. I only get to make the trip when I go to visit my family about 5 times a year.and usually get to go only 2 or 3 of those trips.

Chippy569
01-01-2007, 10:15 AM
hey, let's turn this into a "who's got the tuffest time getting to a GC?" thread!


i got y'all beat, 6hr drive to Explorers Percussion.

goalieman92
01-01-2007, 10:16 AM
nice

pitchfork
01-01-2007, 11:38 AM
If I cycle I can get to the drum company in 15 mins on the bus its about half an hour (because the bus takes a long route) and same walking.

I don't really bother with ducksons, holmes, kempsters or piano fortress.
The only shop with a half decent range is kempsters and they bitch about you asking to go upstairs and try stuff out, plus its way overpriced.

Still I got 5 music shops and another good one if I want to trek out to wooten basset. So I can't complain.

Pleaseme
01-01-2007, 11:45 AM
My local store, Andertons, is pretty damn good. Friendly staff who actually know what they're talking about, and always up for having a chat. It's cool, and they have a wicked range of stock. And it's only half an hour away from me!

Lunarfall
01-01-2007, 11:53 AM
I got two local stores and a guitar center in my city. One local store sells everything at list price, so I obviously avoid that one. The other local store is much better, but terrible selection. They do get used stuff sometimes at crazy low prices though (there was a used Agop ride there for $100 in pretty new condition). I go to this local store often. I actually have a good GC. Most of the employees there are friendly and know what they're talking about. It's kinda small though, so there are guitars EVERYWHERE, so there are barely any places where you can walk except in the drumming and keyboard sections.

ofDooM
01-01-2007, 12:21 PM
Guitar centers a cool place to hang out, for me that is. I dont have problems there really, except the losers playing on the sets.

I have like 10 music stores in tucson.

60 Hertz Jig
01-01-2007, 02:57 PM
Not all the time. the only local drum store around me sucks ***.
And I got some good help and some good deals at my "local" GC


My local GC is 4 hrs. away, so stop your bitching. I only get to make the trip when I go to visit my family about 5 times a year.and usually get to go only 2 or 3 of those trips.

Ouch..that sucks. Where do you live that the nearest GC is four hours away?

goalieman92
01-01-2007, 03:03 PM
I live in state line pennsylvania and I have to go to the GC in Pittsburgh, which is located in the Madison shopping center

Membranophone
01-01-2007, 03:05 PM
yeah gc by me is cool sometimes but there are always crapy drummers there that play hella loud

60 Hertz Jig
01-01-2007, 03:51 PM
yeah gc by me is cool sometimes but there are always crapy drummers there that play hella loud

I'm glad the guys at my GC don't stand for that. They'll let people play the sets there, as long as you aren't too loud.

Druumer89
01-01-2007, 05:01 PM
hey, let's turn this into a "who's got the tuffest time getting to a GC?" thread!


i got y'all beat, 6hr drive to Explorers Percussion.

I LIVE pretty close to EXPLORERS

I ****ing love that place. Thats where i get everything. I didnt know that thier was more than one.

Ethan.
01-01-2007, 05:05 PM
Just return them.

Problem solved.

Jred250
01-01-2007, 05:13 PM
Nothing like an enjoyable trip to the music store! One of my local stores has been sold out of boom stands for 3 months! They said if you want a rack you will have to wait until febuary because they don't have any order catalogues, Also, I was after a display Tama head for my kit, He said we only have evans display heads, here they are. All of them were batter, not display, and all were clear, not ebony like I asked. I wouldn't mind out of the 3 music stores near my house. This particular store is the only chain store. (IE: Major Company) The other two are like familly businesses.

FockerTheLopper
01-01-2007, 10:51 PM
go back and beat him with every single stick, until they're all broken.

Then kindly ask for your money back

CombatWombat3
01-01-2007, 11:07 PM
Hey....at least you guys have local stores. There are two store sin town that carry drum stuff, and they have NO drum sets set up, a tiny rack of cymbals that nevr get sold, and crappy drumstick selection. I have to drive at least an hour to play drums. Ellis drum shop, all the way.

Sammy_L_D
01-01-2007, 11:57 PM
Actually caring about the development of local businesses, the local economy, and the local music industry/scene, I refuse to shop at any corporate music business.

Competition around here is quite tight, so this area of Ontario has some of the cheapest prices for music gear I've ever seen.

Within about a 10 km radius, there's two Long & McQuade stores, six or seven larger independent stores (one of which I work at), and a whole bunch of small shops.

I love KW.

Sabian4015
01-02-2007, 12:19 AM
Well if it helps, I've never been to the nearest GC, which is in St. Louis, which is 2 1/2 hours away. So the shop in my town has about 5 sets, and the best one they have is a Pearl ELX, which is about 1200 there. And a pair of ludwigsticks are 15 dollars. So it's all uphill from there. But hey, I don't mind because i just order everything online. I do remember I went in there to ask him about some cables and I told him what I needed and he was trying to make me buy this cable that was somewhere around 100 dollars. Whatta fag.

Anyways he kind of reminds me of the boss off " Office Space ". I can't think of his name right now...darn it.

Chippy569
01-02-2007, 12:19 AM
shiiiit, i'm going to ontario. :P

ant_182
01-02-2007, 05:31 AM
Hey....at least you guys have local stores. There are two store sin town that carry drum stuff, and they have NO drum sets set up, a tiny rack of cymbals that nevr get sold, and crappy drumstick selection. I have to drive at least an hour to play drums. Norwich Drum Academy, all the way.
Same!


-Ant-

Josiah
01-02-2007, 05:54 AM
Don't care where the product comes from. I just buy from whoever has the cheapest price.

moogoogaipan
01-02-2007, 06:13 AM
^^I'm with you. I'll usually search the internet. I've never seen things sold cheaper than on eBay since you can get wholesale prices.

i.e. LaCoste shirts usually are sold for $80.00 in departmental clothing stores cause it's a rich person brand. I buy them for $20.00 on eBay.

Or Anime series will cost $40 - $50 at Best Buy, you can find them on eBay for $10.00 or cheaper.

CasB
01-02-2007, 06:28 AM
I guess there are more than 7 music stores within an 1 hour drive from here :)
I prefer to go to 1 of those stores, they've got Masterwork cymbals and an very friendly salesman who is not there to sell some crap. He knows his stuff, he's actually a musician who accidently got that job...

doink
01-02-2007, 06:34 AM
i guess i have lucked out. the guitar centers near me are typically fairly good. the employees i have delt with arent that idiodic.

luckily, theres also a place called atlanta pro percussion near my house, which is the size of guitar center, but nothing but percussion. its heaven.

Dave*Grohl
01-02-2007, 07:13 AM
Don't care where the product comes from. I just buy from whoever has the cheapest price.

You do that with everything you buy or just drum stuff?

Ludwigdrummer
01-02-2007, 07:37 AM
I hear bad things about GuitarCenters all the time. I guess I'm fortunate to have a great one here locally. My Drum guy hooks me up all the time. MusiciansFriend and GuitarCenter already offer some of the lowest prices around and I do my research. So it's always nice when the sales guy knows me by name and gives me an additional $20 off of every purchase.

They screwed up one time when I was purchasing some recording gear. I wanted to put half on a gift card and half on my credit card. They accidently put it all on my credit card. They actually gave me a credit for the amount that they should have put on the gift card. So I ended up getting a $200 store credit for free. PLUS they refunded the difference on my CC.

I like GuitarCenter because I know that when I shop there I don't have haggle to get some jacka** to drop the price to what it should be selling for.

Case in point, I went to another local music store that I haven't been to before. He had 200+ stands all over his store, most of them were completely covered with dust and some even oxidated. I figured that he would want to move these things out, so I went up to a Ludwig Double Braced Boom stand and looked at the price tag on it. He was selling it for $175!!!!!!! What a load of crap!... Well, I asked him how much he would be "willing" to get rid of it for since it had a nice layer of dust on it and looked used. It took him 30 minutes to get his boss and an additional 10 minutes to haggle the price down to $60!

I told him I would think about it. I went over to GuitarCenter and picked up the EXACT same stand IN THE BOX brand new for $29.99 (Regular Price $39.99)!!!!!

I have ran into this SAME situation countless times with dealers who TRY to rip people off by double MSRP and then slashing the price in half to try to make an extra buck.

Though, it is true that you probably should know something about what your buying when shopping at a GuitarCenter. If you don't you will probably not find ALL the help you are looking for.

PowerStamp
01-03-2007, 01:06 AM
Just go to Guitar Center or Musicians Friend's site, and find what you mean.

*Psst> I'll tell you a secret that's not so secret: They're the same thing. We ship out orders for both companies out of our two warehouses, I think Guitar Center has their own DC somewhere too, as we don't do a whole lot from them yet*

lmldrummer
01-03-2007, 01:17 AM
i guess i have lucked out. the guitar centers near me are typically fairly good. the employees i have delt with arent that idiodic.

luckily, theres also a place called atlanta pro percussion near my house, which is the size of guitar center, but nothing but percussion. its heaven.

i always wanted to go there, but never have

tis it good?

Seafroggys
01-03-2007, 01:20 AM
I always support the local economy whenever I can. All of my big purchases (drums, cymbals, cases) have come from local stores, where as smaller things (stands, sticks, heads) I usually get at Guitar Center, since it is about 20 minutes away (and the closest store). The only exception was I bought my New Beats at GC, specifically since I called to every shop in the area asking for them and GC was the only place that had them in stock.

Also, I have found that GC is usually not the cheapest place. I have found better deals (and better products) at the local stores.

Sammy_L_D
01-03-2007, 05:48 PM
I always support the local economy whenever I can. All of my big purchases (drums, cymbals, cases) have come from local stores, where as smaller things (stands, sticks, heads) I usually get at Guitar Center, since it is about 20 minutes away (and the closest store). The only exception was I bought my New Beats at GC, specifically since I called to every shop in the area asking for them and GC was the only place that had them in stock.

Also, I have found that GC is usually not the cheapest place. I have found better deals (and better products) at the local stores.

If you see something cheaper at Guitar Center, mention it to sales staff at the independent store.

If it's a good store, they'll match the price (or depending on the situation, and considering how huge the profit margins are on gear in the United States, even beat it).

If it's a bad store, leave.

lmldrummer
01-03-2007, 05:52 PM
i walked in to my local store with a musicians friend magazine in my hand, and made sure the person saw it, but never even had to open it because he knew it was there, he ended up beating the price by like $60 or something =]

drummguy731
01-04-2007, 08:30 PM
While my mum was shopping for X-mas, I guy at GC made her and around 4 other people wait in line for about 5 minutes because he was having a fight with his girlfriend on the phone! God these people never learn.

pitchfork
01-05-2007, 08:43 AM
While my mum was shopping for X-mas, I guy at GC made her and around 4 other people wait in line for about 5 minutes because he was having a fight with his girlfriend on the phone! God these people never learn.

They have GC's in ireland?

I didn't think you had cars yet :p

I would've said something to him, fair enough if he wants to shout at his girlfreind for sleeping with the milkman but not while i'm waiting to pay.

Zebba
01-05-2007, 08:58 AM
go back to the store, make sure a WOMAN is serving... slam down the products, whisper your name in her ear, then walk out, she'll know what to do ;)

pitchfork
01-05-2007, 11:23 AM
No make sure a hot woman is serving (which there usually always is if theres a bird in a music store) and work your magic on her and go into the stockroom and have sex and get her freinds to join in. And when they're all having a huge lesbian gangbang, load loads of expensive stuff into a waiting van (including the memory of it because its solid gold mofo) and then go back and join in.

Plan, now all we need is the rare species of a woman who works in a music store and her freinds.

herostyle
01-05-2007, 11:48 AM
Wow now thats sad that guitar center employs dumbasses like that.