ALWAYS go for the refund or exchange on the spot. If they say they can get you a new one but will have to order, get the refund.

Again, ALWAYS get the refund.

Pay if you can by credit card, because they will send you a check by mail and that will take longer, plus the small possibility that the check gets lost in the mail.

Credit Card refunds process thru the system within 1 to 2 days.

GC is just a business, they have no feelings.

I've returned many guitars due to playability or unseen defects at the time of purchase. Always no questions asked. The return policy is written on their receipt, nothing they can do to stop you.

I remember one time I did have a bit of a hassle. I bought a Les Paul Standard for 2000. Two weeks later the exact same guitar and color on clearance during the labor day sale for 1600. I went back home, brought in my guitar and said I wanted a price match and to refund me the difference.

Manager gave me all kinds of road blocks. I said to him I can just return the this guitar with the 30 day return policy and I'll buy that guitar for 1600. More stupid talk from manager. I then said, "just take the guitar back, you've lost a sale and I'm not buying the other one either"

What the manager didn't know is I wanted to keep the guitar I had, I loved and bonded with it but was willing to return it and take the other one to save 400 dollars. Acted like I didn't want either guitar now, so GC would now have to take a return on the Les Paul and lose a sale.

The manager did see it my way once I became an a-hole.

Kept my Les Paul, got my 400 credit. Manager was pissed, but hey F him.

long as we're talking about what Aholes GC can be. A year ago a friend gave me this guitar, brand new, mint, as a gift.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Delu ... 1146266.gc

I admit at the the time I just saw a "country guitar" and played it maybe once. A few months ago I decided to trade it into GC and try to get an Epiphone LP because I didn't think I'd ever play this "country guitar." I talked to them on the phone, told them what it is and that it's in mint condition, stored in a flight case, etc, etc. The guy told me no problem that I could trade it for an Epi Paul. I drove almost an hour to get their and once I was there they told me they'd give me $300. store credit for it. What a rip off. I mean this guitar was mint, it didn't have a single mark on it.

I was stupid and traded it in and bought a bunch of accessories because I always need more picks/strings/cords/backup effects pedals, etc. But now that I'm enthralled with my Squiers and the Fender sound I really kind of wish I'd kept that guitar. Still not a Tele fan, but I feel taken advantage of. I should have put it on Craigslist or something, but I honestly just don't usually have the time to do a bunch of stuff and I'd already wasted an hour driving there.

I hate GC and I don't think I'll be getting anything from them every again. Especially now that a friend told me about Sweetwater and Sam Ash.

I really miss the Mom and Pop music stores they used to have when I was a kid. Now it's like Guitar-Mart where usually the salesman can't even play and don't seem to even know much about guitars.

/rant.

oh yeah, and I hate how they're like, "it's made in mexico, it's not worth anything."

A**holes.

I got their email about how they bought used guitars a few months ago and I was what the hell, I'll see how much they give me. Well they returned a quote to me about a 76 Musicmaster I had, they wanted to give me $150 store credit for it. I guess that's how they make money, they steal guitars from crackheads.

basically. "Steal" is a good word you used there. I don't think I've ever actively rooted for a business to fail, but I do for GC. I watched many, many years ago as they slowly took over everything. And watched as once great music stores became Guitar-Marts. I know they're not the only guitar stores out there, it's not like they have a complete monopoly, but it's damn close.

Not to mention I know for a fact they've sold used stuff at new prices and all kinds of shady BS. They're just not reputable. Just look at the BS they're putting the OP (original poster) through? All this run around and frustration over an amp.

Do they really think after all that he's ever going to want to deal with them again? Just seems like bad business in the long term. I'm beginning to think their business thrives off of people who don't know any better.

I really, really miss the mom and pop stores. Where each guitar was carefully inspected before it was hung up. They were polished and set up so no matter what guitar you tried out it played nicely. One day when I retire I'm going to open my own Mom and Pop store, just because we need more stores where they actually care about music, musicians, and taking care of a customer.

When you go to guitar center, you really got to have you defenses up. Think of guitar center as a sleazy used car lot. They will attempt to over charge and short change if they can. That being said, "you" have to take it upon youself to be more informed on what you are getting and know the ball park price "you" want to spend. Don't let them determine that for you. Like I said in my previous reply to this thread, "the ball is in your court, and they have to kiss your $@! to make you happy the way you see fits". Just know that it is your money you spend there that pays those salemen's commision. I've been shopping at guitar center for more than 20 years, and I make sure that those sharks that work there know that I don't take bullshit. I've been getting damn good deals so far.....I bet I can make some of salesmen do a little dance for me if I tell them to. I'll say, hey I'll take that 1958 Les Paul Custom Shop Reissue, but to make the sale final I want you to do a little dance for me on the floor. Those sharks are so desperate for their commission, and I bet you they will

_________________


http://www.youtube.com/user/gmlasam

the fact alone they get a commission just pisses me off. If I want a new guitar I research it and pretty much make up my mind before I go there. There should be no additional $$$ on top of the guitar price to pay some salesmans commission.

I sell the guitar to myself, I don't need some jerk trying to sell one to me.

and I've heard people saying lately that you can't dicker the price with them anymore. I use to be able to get a guitar and get a strap, a gig bag, and some picks tossed in for free. PLUS I would be able to talk them down from the sticker price. But now I've heard from a number of people that you just can't do that anymore at GC. They won't budge.

Guitars don't need salesmen, they sell themselves.

"Sleazy used car dealership" indeed. Great analogy.

Man it is no secret that taking your rig to large chain music stores like GC and Sam Ash is a ripp off. Off course they will give you the lowest possible credit for your rig. The lower they can it from you the more $$$ they can profit from. Your best way to sell your rig is selling it yourself. Good place is Craigslist. Screw ebay, as they are getting worst and not any better. Ebay would attach seller fees and not to mention some deductions from paypal. Don't let these SHARKS profit from "YOUR" money!

_________________


http://www.youtube.com/user/gmlasam

Yea, long live craigslist. Hope the spam can stay under control there.