i agree, research before you go, but, how many times have you went to the store to buy something, and see something you havent seen before and become totally interested in it?

If you that interested then buy it who cares what it cost. If its big ticket item it will be there tomorrow. What is your time worth anyway if you see it 10.00 cheaper somewhere else but you have to run there to get it or pay shipping.. Just the steaks I had for dinner tonight were 34.00 for three.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

you missed the whole point.
the point is, they have offered a service to their customers.
yet the service is highly modified (in my area) and totally
not what they are advertising as the offer.
their computers are fixed.

The GC advantage is their 12 mos no interest credit card for purchases of $2k or less. Minus that, I might have considered negotiating on price elswhere on a new Strat presently on order with GC. A reputable local Showcase dealer does not offer that kind of financing. I took advantage of a 15% discount offer which save me tax and as well, the interest on a 12 mos installment payout. I know that it is possible to save some serious money through negotiating price, particulary if one is a frequent, and high end customer, but one also must be in a position to part with the cash at once, and this is not always convenient.
Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

[[/quote]
So here's the current in the saga of my '57VHR order. The order was initially placed by the dealer on 4/3/10. I was emailed periodically to advise that the item was still on back order. I was emailed to advise that I would have to advise them that I wanted the order continued or it would be cancelled (an FTC regulation.) I did so. I was subsequently emailed that the order was cancelled. Apparently whoever handled my call for continuance didn't process the matter correctly. A supervisor assisted me in placing a second online order, ship to store. That's about two weeks back. I received an email to day advising that THAT order was cancelled because there was a problem getting credit authorization. Apparently, the first cancellation rides for about 90 days hence the credit authorizaiton cancellation which affected the second order. In no case is the Customer Assistance process able to either reinstate an order, or place an order which will deliever to the store, Now I have the manager of the store waiting for my phone call tomorrow morning to place a third order. Is amazing how the incompetence of an employee ultimately falls on the customer's shoulder to correct even in the face of their attempt to do so.
To be continued..............
Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

Although I live in Canada and have never dealt with GC I've read more negative reports about them in guitar related forums than any others.It seems that when a lot of chains get too big the idea of personal service goes out the window.Our equivalent of GC is Long and McQuade and I'm hearing a lot of negative reports about them.A couple of my buddies have had a lot of problems with them.One bought a new $3,000 Les Paul last year and has been plagued with problems with it -especially tuning since he's had it and they refuse to do anything about it such as replace the guitar or even the tuners,he's brought it back for several fixes,has gone without it for days and had it returned just as bad as it was when put in. He's frustrated to the point that he's going to sell it at a considerable loss and buy a 60 Epi Les Paul reissue from a local Mom&Pop store.Another buddy ordered some Burstbuckers and other hardware from them over 2 months ago and was told they'd be in in 7-10 days,now he's over a barrel as he had to pay for everything up front.He was reluctant to do this but they insisted because they said that had gotten"burnt"by people that ordered stuff and didn't get it when it came in.I guess they don't mind burning customers.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

The issues w/GC seem to have surface along with this huge online system they've put in place. It freezes their abilities to easily remedy issues such as mine. As far a Long and McQuade is concerned, they had a venue in Parsippany NJ years ago when I lived in the part of the world. I first saw and played the Clapton guitar there when it was introduced. That will give you an idea of the time frame. They were easy to deal with then. To put a twist on a current phrase...."Size does matter"....and in these cases, not for the better.....nor often....in the other as well.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Which one are you referring to? I can think of at least one that is full of impolite, obtuse, condescending, and lazy "sales people".

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AmDlx HSS
62 Hot Rod
Luke w/Piezo
Carvin Belair