RETAIL :: Guitar Center Reviews

Review local and chain retail stores.

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AcousticPimp
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Post by AcousticPimp »

It's the Wal-mart of guitar's. They come into town, screw over all the little guys, and relish in the profits. At the same time having lot's of employees that know d*ck about guitar. What i don't understand is why they can have 20 employees while there are 4 or 5 customers in the store and it still takes ten minutes before someone comes to the front to get you a set of strings. The few times iv'e been there i also had to show them where the strings i wanted were at. That's it for me. :D
Mine goes to 11
traumaqueen
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Post by traumaqueen »

i did not appreciate the salesmanship during a recent holiday gift search in this establishment.
though this was my first trip to Guitar Center, so i have no comparison.
one does not sell me an item by making me feel ignorant and inferior.
giving your resume is not the key to identifying my needs, or the needs of the person for whom i am making the purchase. nor is pointing out how little i know (i am already aware of this, that's why i requested your assistance). the way to help me buy something from you, is to ask questions about the person for whom the purchase will be used.
make the connection, sell the product, not your inflated sense of self..........
supwichya
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Post by supwichya »

Been in the audio dept a few times. Definitely only go in once you know exactly what you want/need and don't count on anyone there for advice or knowledge. Seems like they have their "go to" pieces and they're gonna try and move you to those. Go in sometime and ask for an sm57 and let the fun begin. You'll get "what are you using the mic for?" and "have you heard of this mic, it's waaay better than a 57". First off, no I've never heard of that piece of sh!t mic and second shut up and give me what I asked you for.

I went in there to get a bit of stuff for my PT rig and had to talk to 4 different salesmen and finally the freaking store manager before I found someone who even knew what I was talking about. Complete joke.

One saving grace: they take trade-ins on gear.
bassjones
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Post by bassjones »

To tell you where the Fort Wayne store ranks... still no Mark Bass gear, 3 months after all the big markets got theirs.
"brad!
...your tunes and your playing sound really great... all the best to you and god bless-
adam nitti" www.myspace.com/adamnittimusic

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www.esession.com/bradjones - hire me for your session from anywhere in the world.
Silencio
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Post by Silencio »

To be fair to the GC pro audio guys, who I have found fair-to-middlin' helpful...

If someone tells you that a given mic is better than an SM57 for virtually any application, they're probably right, despite the mindless repetition of the "stick a 57 in it" mantra.

Also, one should stop and think about what might be wrong with the phrase, "no I haven't heard of that piece of sh*t mic." (Besides the lack of a needed comma, that is.) There is an error of reasoning contained within.
supwichya
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Post by supwichya »

sorry, didn't realize the comma police were trolling today.

not here to sing the praises of the sm57, it was just an example, just give me what i ask you for that's all.
bassjones
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Post by bassjones »

I have a sneaking suspicion their mic (and amp, processor, cable, etc...) recommendations are based more on commission margin than quality, but maybe that's just me.
"brad!
...your tunes and your playing sound really great... all the best to you and god bless-
adam nitti" www.myspace.com/adamnittimusic

www.bradjonesbass.com
http://groups.myspace.com/northeastindianabassplayers
www.myspace.com/bassjones
www.myspace.com/whitehotnoise
www.esession.com/bradjones - hire me for your session from anywhere in the world.
adam atherton
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Post by adam atherton »

supwichya wrote:comma police
this is what you get...
WBOB
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Post by WBOB »

supwichya wrote:sorry, didn't realize the comma police were trolling today.

not here to sing the praises of the sm57, it was just an example, just give me what i ask you for that's all.

Sales "101"
.


Less is always more
Haggard
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Post by Haggard »

The other night I went to buy some bass strings already knowing what I wanted. The guy behind the counter was easily manipulated, any string that I pretended to be interested in he wanted to sell me. Finally after picking up my DR High Beams I was leaving and the guy who checks the receipt says, "Doctor Music, what a good choice".

The moral to the story is to already know what you want if you are going to go there.
This system cannot be reformed or voted out of office because reforms and elections do not challenge the fundamental causes of injustice.

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bassplayer92
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Post by bassplayer92 »

My uncle was telling me how he went in there the other day. He asked for DR strings tapered and for a four string bass. The guy gives him DR strings but their untapered and for a six string. Even a four year old knows that thats not right. So he just took them home figuring he can use the first four well he can't so he has to go back and then get the right ones. Well this time I went with him and he asked for the right ones and it still took the guy about 10 minutes to find them.
Dagwood Lee
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Post by Dagwood Lee »

you have to get stopped to let another person search your bag and compare it with whats on the receipt before leaving the store.
Yeah. That is a pain in the azz but the chicks are cute as hell. What about that Tara Reid lookalike? Damn.
Stop.Drop.Roll.
Oliver's Army
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Post by Oliver's Army »

I have no issues with any hot females who want to rummage around my sack.
Al Quandt
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Post by Al Quandt »

They are probably trying to sell you the Sennnheiser (I am an ex pro audio employee) They can actually be better mics, much more durable to say the least. Of you who ever said profit margin, is correct. It is muuuuuuuuch better.

I wont talk bad about the people that work there becuase I know how tough it is to make your quota regardless of your knowledge. You almost have to already have a client base before you start working there.

I worked there during the Nick Thieme and Morrison days, besides them making all my money ;) they were great to work with because if you didnt know something they, especially Morrison would gladly show you how something works.

I was mainly the Digital Piano/Synth salesman because I was the only one who know jack about them, but I could always get assistance from morrison on knowledge about live/studio sound if I ever had to stray into that side of the department.

I would have made quota if more people had the money to drop 800-3000 on a piano or synth, but most the time I got stuck selling a casio protable for 120 bucks by parents for their kids after STRONGLY advising against it, not because I wanted more money (well i mean yeah) but becuase I refuse to be the one responsible for a kid having to learn piano on a non weighted keyboard!!!
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supwichya
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Post by supwichya »

Oliver's Army wrote:I have no issues with any hot females who want to rummage around my sack.
Agreed.
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