I got "GuitarCentered"

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Most will remember how the term "swift boat" was transformed from a noun into a verb during the last presidential election. Supposedly Senator Kerry was "swiftboated", which, in his opinion, was a bad thing.

Well, I was "GuitarCentered" on Friday. I showed up at the local store at 8 am to take part in the mega-blowout sale of the century. I was the second or third in line, and I grabbed the "list" of super mega hot deals. I went directly to the electric guitar section, found what I wanted (I had been looking), and went to the sales dude for help. I said, "I want this Strat". He said, "Sorry, bro...that guitar is on layaway already." I said, "It is on the list, and I want it now." He said, "Sorry, that is against our corporate policies."

I threw the list into his tatooed arms, and told him that this would be the downfall of his store. I was careful not to say anything I couldn't take back in case somehow we wound up in court.

I looked around for a while, cranked a couple of amps really loud (childish, I know), and left. BTW -- Most of the really nice Les Pauls and other Gibsons were tucked safely away in the back, while the dead stock was being promoted as the true prizes.

When I got home, my wife could see by the look on my face that I was very, very angry. She said, "Why do you go to GuitarCenter? Every time you go in there you wind up getting mad at somebody."

You know -- she has a point. I refuse to allow myself to be GuitarCentered again. And, if anyone is curious as to which particular store "slimed" me, send us an email.

Sorry to rant/vent...I just hate when people waste my time. Don't allow yourself to be GuitarCentered.

John

[kcjewel]

What strat were you looking for John? I"ve been trying to sell my quilted top strat on craigslist with no luck and I thought it was at a giveaway price. You just don't know! If Fender had assembled it instead of me, they would sell it for around $1400 and I am asking $400. With all of the instruments up for sale, it looks like the economy is catching up with everyone. I just go to the GC to look but next week when we are there I will crank up some amps in your honor. ;D
John and the crew

[shattered]

"That guitar is on layaway already" is GCspeak for "I want it, so I'm telling everyone it's on layaway".

That blows. I don't even go there for piddly stuff like strings anymore. For what it's worth, I bet you could build that strat for half what the sale price was!

[kcjewel]

Jul 7, 2008 7:33:39 GMT -6 shattered said:

"That guitar is on layaway already" is GCspeak for "I want it, so I'm telling everyone it's on layaway".

That blows. I don't even go there for piddly stuff like strings anymore. For what it's worth, I bet you could build that strat for half what the sale price was!

Your right shattered, the last 2 american deluxe customs I built cost me about $500 ea and that is buying at retail prices.
John and the crew

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Jul 6, 2008 17:56:08 GMT -6 kcjewel said:

What strat were you looking for John?

I wanted one of the 60's reverse headstock Strats in that killer Oly White. I know...another guitar I won't play. I played one and I really liked it. I figured I could sneak it in through the garage. I probably will just build one...maybe a SAGA!

John

[debeneto]

thats why i go to guitar center to play and find the guitars i want to buy and the look them up on musiciansfriends and buy them from there. it saves the hassle of dealing with the store policy's and whatnot. i like musicians friend because they always seem to get you the guitar or whatever you were buying without being damaged by shipping. i ordered a Martin DXME from them a year ago and it was all good.

[shattered]

This just in from the Ministry of Irony: Musican's Friend is owned by Guitar Center.

[kcjewel]

Better stay with American Musical Supply.
John and the crew

[freewater2000]

only 400.00 Chuck for the sweet Strat you built.If only I was dreaming...

[cman471]

Another thing GuitarCenter does is, well, to put it shortly, lie.

I called up a store and asked if they had three different amps in stock that I could come to the store and play. They said yes. I went. I bet you can guess: none of them were there! I asked the guy there and he said it must have been a mishap. So I called another GC in my area. They said they had 2 of the three. I went. They only had one, and it was used, and everything had been replaced, nothing stock. I did it again to the third and final GC in my area. Same.

They will say they have anything as long as it will get you to drive to their store and possibly buy something.

On the bright side, I found a nice small shop that had a nice selection in my area that I never knew of before. That kind of made up for my day.

Oh, and John, I cranked more than a few amps in your honor at the stores.



Cole

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Jul 13, 2008 15:41:32 GMT -6 cman471 said:

Oh, and John, I cranked more than a few amps in your honor at the stores.

Cole

ROCK ON!!!!
John

[cknowles]

John why do that to yourself!

It's like drinking Chivas Regal when you really want Glenlivet

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Chris -- You are correct...guess I'd better get to the shop and start working! ;D

John

[dnic]

I was in GC once with some of the guys in my band while our highly trained sales guy went to the back to something we wanted. I'm not sure where "the back" is but it must be a long way away, or maybe the break room cause it take forever for a round trip. Any while we are standing there we overhear a new salesman telling a mom that all the guitars come tuned from the factory and no she doesn't need to by her son a tuner. We laughed about that for months.

My experience with GC is that as long as you know what you want it's an ok place to do business.

Dane

[shattered]

An experienced salesperson would have tried to sell her a $200 strobe tuner...