I called and ask about some D'Addario strings and they will be happy to pick them up from the warehouse for a $6 charge , they only cost $5.49.
Ken Stanton stocks them in their store so I will not be back to Guitar Center unless someone I know works there. Just because someone has a big add in the yellow pages don't mean anything except they over charge.

Hi,

I don't want to defend GC but I really don't understand your frustration. For one, I have never been that brand loyal to a guitar string company. If they don't have my first preference, I ask for my second.

Two, you can't expect every store to constantly have your preference in stock. Plus if GC does not have what you want, just go to the store that does. No reason to be mad at GC.

Three, they offered you an alternative to have someone personally go out and pick up your string from the warehouse for $6. That is a good service for $6, but simply not worth it for a $6 set of strings. You ask for multiple sets, and it would be worth it. To me it would have been worse service just to tell you no, we do not have what you want.

What exactly did you expect them to do?

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

Buy them from Ken Stanton then. I am not a fan of GC at all but I do understand that in business you can't stock everyones items.

_________________
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

That was my first call , they may not have a big place but they stock the right stuff . I will not waste my time with the big Guitar Center for a long time.

I understand your frustrations with GCenter, I've had less than satisfactory dealings with them before but since then I have found that Elderly and Sweetwater are both great places to deal with. Sounds like Ken Stanton works for you so congrats on finding a new source for gear!

Hmmmm, never had that much bad luck with GC. I do know where to get what they don't carry at other places, and some of them places don't stock what GC does. Not defending GC really, but for their location here and the hours of operations, they are fairly convienant.

The only way I'll go back to Guitar Center is if they have free beer on Sunday served by topless chicks , I am 60 and tired of being jerked around.

I buy my strings on-line. I just cannot justify spending a half-hour in my car, drive to my guitar shop, just to buy a set of strings, then drive another half-hour home. I just use these people:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=d%27addario

I already linked D'Addario strings for you. Might be worth it if you buy in bulk. I usually buy between 3 and 6 sets at a time, I also try to buy when I am making a high dollar order to not have to pay for shipping...but sometimes I eat the shipping. Still cheaper than driving to the store.

RK

Fortunately, I have only had positive experiences with Guitar Center (Springfield NJ). They leave you alone with the gear and offer help when you ask. Their stock is generally very good to excellent. Both my son and I enjoy GC more then any other store in the area.

It might have been the person you were dealing with. I have had my local GC special order stuff for me on a couple of occasions (First an EMG 60 and then a set of Sperzels and finally a second set of Sperzels) and did not have to pay any extra fees. You might have to wait a tiny bit longer because what they have done is add my request to a list of stuff they were ordering. BUT, it sounds like you found another store to go to.

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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 would have to agree. It is a good service just not for guitar strings. I mainly use daddario strings but will use earnie's if need be. I'm not big fan of GC because I always feel presided to buy something and they try and sell me what I don't need. I just like to go in check stuff out and I will make a decision to buy something. They also just mostly have strats and les pauls. Which I know most people buy but it's nice to see some other brands sometimes.

_________________
"coretta" '71 tele thinline
"domino" '97 lonestar strat
"marie" squire strat
"lexy" jag-stang
"owa" martin 000

tone=fingers; fingers=tone

I know GC is the Walmart of guitars but I've never had bad experience at my location (14th St. NYC). I only buy supplies and parts there anyway but I always stop by and play a couple of guitars and no one busts my chops, if anything I waste their time

I am not a loyal fan of Guitar but this has been my experience with GC Outlet In Westside, Los Angeles:

They allow me to browse as freely as I like, answering me as best they can (I've learned long ago not to put too much hope in getting more than basic answers from retail clerks). I like GC because the stock a lot and allow me to browse and test everything to my satisfaction without following me around like I'm going to steal something. When I finally bought my first guitar from them I found a small blemish on my guitar after I got it home and called the shop. They offered an exchange, refund or 20% credit back on my word over the phone, sight unseen and no questions asked.

At any rate, you didn't get the service that you wanted and that is too bad though that is a lot of fuss over a set of strings. I buy at least a six-pack at a time, looking for specials and deals and restocking often. As a working musician I always have to have two sets in my case with me. I also swap strings as soon as flat spot appear under the strings which is every 3-4 weeks.

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

My Seattle area GC's are my favorite stores to go to. I'm greeted when I enter, am allowed to look around without being hasseled, and when I ask for help I get it. I always get super great deals there and have never had a bad experience over the last year that I've been going there.

Oh yeah and I absolutely love the sign on the wall that says "Your wife called and said it's OK".

Glad to hear that you found a store that works for you though. Rock on!

Conversely, I've found that it's the "mom-and-pop" stores that are less likely to have a particular item in stock that I want.

I try to support them as best I can, but it's frustrating to stop in there and not be able to get what I want. I should call ahead more - but then again even if they offer to order it, it's likely that the item I want is available right now somewhere else.

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http://www.bluesrepublic.org/

2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab