Yep, I'm with you on this one. Although I've never had any problems at Guitar Center, I always go to my 2 local shops before anything else. The service is always better and more personal at those local places.

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http://www.youtube.com/guitarmike26

Free & Easy Down the Road I Go

I have a good GC by me. I haven't had any problems.

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10-4 good buddy, over and out!

I would have called and made sure they had the guitar there before going and would have asked for some idea on what kind of deal they could give me.

Guess I'm lucky with the GC in Nashua, NH.
The folks there are always helpful and discuss what I'm looking for and tell me about the equipment they have and what they like/dislike about it. Never any pressure and always get a discount. Last time I was there, a few weeks ago to buy a FSR Tele, I got a 20% discount. And I didn't have to work too hard to get it. I'll be going back in about a week to buy an amp.

-T

I have two G.C. stores near me and I frequent both of them as well as other shops too. My experiences have been positive so far. Yeah, sometimes there may be someone on staff that is lacking in knowledge, but for the most part there has always been someone else in the store that was more experienced and knowledgeable to step in when needed. People have to start somewhere. Nobody I know was an expert at the job they do from day one.

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Don't worry, Be happy.

Yeah, that is lame of them

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

I've only been to two GC's both in Atlanta and i wasn't impressed with either one. I did however get a good deal on my Takamine EG334ce. It was priced at $799 but i got it for $550 with a hardcase. The sales guy did try to talk me into buying a Fender acoustic saying he thought it sounded better but i felt like he had something to hide. He actually didn't want to get it off the wall for me but i got it down myself. Well after i got the Takamine home i pulled it up on the Takamine site and found that the elctronics were updated for that model and it was all solid wood instead of laminate back and sides. I think if i were to sell it now in my area i could still get what i paid for it. As for the rest of the shop it was all worn and abused looking and i wouldn't bother with any electric or amp from there. I will surely go to local shops for any other purchases or order online before i venture 2 hours away to a chain store for anything else. Kong I'm sorry to hear of that you were screwed around but it's thier loss.

I use Guitar Center mostly for the lower priced gadgets, like pedals, strings, straps, stands etc. I've often seen many scratched and damaged guitars on the display rack. I'm not surprised, because I often see a lot of teens hang out at Guitar Center just to play the instruments, with no intention of buying. I've seen them hang out for hours at a time. Because of that, I'm very spooked about buying one of their guitars. I've always bought my guitars online, and I've never had any problems, and the guitars were perfect.

I've had mixed experiences with the sales people. Some have been helpful, while others completely ignored me, when I have a question about merchandise, or am ready to actually make a purchase. I've been known to put down merchandise at the counter and walk out........if it seems I'm being ignored.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

There is no way you can expect to bring a guitar into a chain store and expect to get anything close to fair in a trade .I am shocked that I see as much used gear in Sam Ash as I do. There was this store on ebay that was put up for auction a custom shop Strat Ultra with a set neck and said they would also take trades as part of the payment. I really wanted the guitar as it was a one off but I was coming off a bad GAS binge and offered up an EBMM Petrucci that I scored a few months back that I just did not click with the neck and the guitar had less than five minutes of playing time. The store wanted it but said I probably would not like there offer of 1K as it is a 2 grand ax and they were right about that. I understand they are looking to make a profit but not at my expense. Now if it was privately owned I would of been able to trade straight up. I know this kid who's father is seriously cashed up and 7 years ago I saw him buy a 2 grand SG that was the top of the line only to sell it to a vintage store 2 months later in exchange for an amp that was $1,100. Your best bet when selling gear is definitely ebay or CL. It is not even close.

I get what you mean, I went to a certaint town about 45 minutes away and went into the GC. It wasn't nice, I asked if I could play this ibanez rgt24dmx and the guy said, "no, you dont look like an experienced guitar player, you probably couldn't even play a chord". I felt like saying, "F*** you, I'm probably a better guitarist than you are ya filthy pig.".......Believe me, he looked like he had a masive hangover.

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riley

Some people just don't deserve to be alive...

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Rated "M" for meaty.

At that point, I would have asked for a manager. Statements like that coming from a salesperson in a store, don't deserve to work as a salesperson in a store.

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Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an undocumented pharmicist.

Wow, what a wanker

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"Oh, it's a windy and sunny day
And I can hear the faint sound of distant waves
The past weeks have been going by so fast
It's all the same, the bright sky and shining sun
I have a feeling it's gonna be a fun day"

I would love to support the local stores, but, they never seem have anything around, only off brand/cheap stuff. Just went to a store in Riverhead, NY that had 4 guitars in the place, looked like they were going out of business. The local GC is about 45 miles away, you would think a local shop could keep a few MiM Fenders in stock. The only problem I have with GC is it is so DAMN LOUD!! in there you can't think straight, which obviously helps you succumb to GAS

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People say I'm a nice guy, I can't figure why

guitard center sucks $@!

I aint never had a good experience at GC…the only thing I use them for anymore is to try out gear that the Mom an Pops aint got in stock…then I order it from sweetwater or musicians friend..

Bill

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(80’s Hair Metal) = A snapshot in time before Grunge ruined Rock & Roll forever!!!!