Stupid things you've been told at Guitar Center

[modulation]

A few months ago i went with a friend to see if I could show him some decent stuff to buy for a bedroom studio. After asking about mic pres the sales guy in the pro audio department kept trying to tell me that a dbx compressor gate was a mic pre and just what i needed.
no shit, that place is full of dumb asses

[modulation]

Originally Posted by voicegenius

GC employee: "We don't have that..."

Me: "What is this right here?"

GC employee: "Oh...."

lol that happened to me too on the same day they tried to tell me a compressor was a mic pre.

[d1rtynyc]

I heard this from a guy that works there: "they make us clean the bathrooms"

Talk about deadication.

[joelpatterson]

That would be a "lavatory engineer."

[Flogger59]

Slightly OT, but here goes. I've never worked at Guitar Center, but a career in musical retail is part of my past, and there are dummies on both sides of the fence.
One time I was serving a customer in PA, and he wanted to see the Renkus-Heinz 2" driver that we had in a glass counter. There was no horn attached, so a red dust cap was over the throat to protec it, and people had the tendency to pick it up by the dustcap, which would come off. So, I explain it to this dude, "Don't pick it up by the red thing, it'll come off and break my glass counter, got it?" "Sure, I won't pick it up by the red thing, I'll hold it in both hands", he says. I bring it out and set it on the counter. He immediately picks it up by the dustcap, and of course the driver crashes through the countertop as well as the two glass shelves below.
The only redeeming factor was that we had just gotten a Casio sampler in (mid 80's), so we spent the next hour making broken glass samples.

[ark]

Originally Posted by mipearson

"So... this Alesis rack unit you have listed here... how many keys does it have?"

24. 12 major and 12 minor.

[ark]

Originally Posted by Tibbon

From what I understand about Apple it's not that there is no margin in items (because there is), but rather that a few companies have agreements with their vendors that the vendors are not allowed to sell items below Apple's pricing without written permission from Apple or something like that.

There is a name for this situation: "Illegal price-fixing."

[Jax]

Just want to throw another one into the GC bonfire:

I went in one day to demo a novation remote keyboard, mainly to get a feel for the keys and see if they had the right kind of action for me. Looking around, I see no novation stuff anywhere. After trying out a few other brands, I find a sales guy and ask him if they carry novation. He points up to a shelf about 12' above the exit from that department where a few different novation models sit in their boxes. When I ask him if I can demo one, he tells me that GC doesn't allow novation demos... I stare at him confused for a second and say "why's that?" "I don't know, it's just the policy," he says.

I explain that the policy doesn't make sense because if I can't try something for a specific reason, there's no way I'm going to know if I want to buy it. He says, "I know it's stupid, but I don't make the policies. Sorry, man."

dfegad

[chrisrnps]

Originally Posted by ark

There is a name for this situation: "Illegal price-fixing."

There is a name for this situation: "Spouting off catch phrases that you overheard somewhere, but don't actually understand".

"Illegal price fixing" would be if competing retailers - say, Guitar Center and Sweetwater - had secret under-the-table agreements with each other to sell products for the same price, in order to guarantee a particular mutually-beneficial profit margin amongst themselves.

[kafka]

Originally Posted by ark

There is a name for this situation: "Illegal price-fixing."

Well, no. Not at all. The 1911 anti-trust case that prohibited manufacturers from setting prices was overturned in 2007. Supreme Court Okays Price Fixing

[Dan]

It's too bad Apple is a retailer... Does price fixing between retailers have to be secret to be illegal?

[kafka]

Originally Posted by Dan

It's too bad Apple is a retailer... Does price fixing between retailers have to be secret to be illegal?

I'd be surprised if secrecy were the primary determinant, given that it begs the question "secret from whom?" However, I am curious about whether retailer collusion would still be considered anti-trust. If it's not then I don't know what is. The above ruling was specifically about a manufacturer setting prices.

[FiveP]

In reference to my "new" (powerless) monitors

GC SCUM who sold them and skittered off into the even more perplexing DJ light room amidst *&^*&^*fog effects upon being confronted....
"Sorry Man, I had no idea it was open box. I don't know why they don't turn on"

[audiogeek]

years ago i worked for the ill-fated Mars Music, touted to be a competitor of GC but filed Chapter 11 within a handful of years... after seeing how things are run behind the scenes, i've vowed to NEVER go into another music box store, and 8 years later i'm still holding strong. why wouldn't anyone rather support a good mom & pop store?

my buddy recently had an experience in the Portland Maine GC where he was basically accosted by a manager, because he couldn't be up-sold.

my buddy wanted a simple TC Helicon vox processor for stage, $300. He did his research, knew what it did, and knew what he wanted.

when asking for it, he had the misfortune of dealing with the manager that even the other employees regard as a serious ass. instead got the "Naw man, what you really want is this Digitech so-and-so for $800."

"No, actually, that's not what I want at all, and it's more than twice the price of the TCH.

"But why would you want that crap? Digitech is waaaay better. Trust me.

"No. Sorry, not gonna buy it.

After going on for another 5 minutes like this, the manager's face gets red, starts angrily waving his hands in my friend's face, and loudly talking over anything my buddy says. "Well GO on then, GO on! GO on! Just GO on then!"

Truly bizarre. I just don't get how you can treat a customer that way, especially one who spent thousands at your store last year. So my friend called up the GC headquarters, let them know what kind of a$$holes they're hiring as managers, and they shipped it to him free, knocking almost $100 off the price.

He still says he'll never go back, and I don't blame him.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by audiogeek

. why wouldn't anyone rather support a good mom & pop store?
.

You're assuming there are any left. Also, just because it's a small retailer doesn't mean the service is necessarily better, and the inventory is almost always lacking. I'm quite happy with my local GC Pro rep. My experience at smaller stores has not been positive, and I've spent hundreds or more that I didn't need to with the idea that I was supporting a local retailer that went out of business anyway. That was years ago, but I'm not all that sad to see them gone.

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by Dan

... not all that sad to see them gone.

Yeah, there's this nostalgicizing of those rinky-dink dives that flies in the face of all reality-- too many embittered failed musicians, grinding axes instead of playing them....

[Duardo]

why wouldn't anyone rather support a good mom & pop store?

I think most people are perfectly happy with the idea of supporting a good mom and pop store, but when it comes down to it and they can't compete pricewise...that's why Guitar Center, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc are everywhere and smaller music, grocery and electronics/record stores are vanishing.

And as has already been mentioned...not all mom and pop stores are good.

Yeah, there's this nostalgicing of those rinky-dink dives that flies in the face of all reality-- too many embittered failed musicians, grinding axes instead of playing them....

I think you're as likely to find those "EFM"s at a Guitar Center as you are at a mom and pop shop.

[audiogeek]

Originally Posted by Dan

You're assuming there are any left. Also, just because it's a small retailer doesn't mean the service is necessarily better, and the inventory is almost always lacking. I'm quite happy with my local GC Pro rep. My experience at smaller stores has not been positive, and I've spent hundreds or more that I didn't need to with the idea that I was supporting a local retailer that went out of business anyway. That was years ago, but I'm not all that sad to see them gone.

yeah, true true. in the 'mom & pop' field there's, shall we say, a quality control issue.

my local shop stocks ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. but if i walk in knowing what i want, he'll actually get his hands on it for me, and at a great price. AND (most important of all) he's a pleasure to deal with, none of this monthly/weekly 'hot item' bs that they're pushing on customers to make more overhead.

[sahiaman]

If you guys ever get a chance to go to Michigan and check out Elderly Instruments! Stocked with a huge collection of hard to find guitars, boutique gear, and acoustics up the wazoo. It is an enigma compared to all GC's and Mom & Papa stores. I have no clue as to the secret of their success, but I wish ever city in world had one of those places.

Elderly Instruments - Welcome - Elderly Instruments

[cojo67]

Me: Do you guys still have that UA solo 610 used?

GC : I don't think so man, we sold it a couple days ago.

Me: Ok, thanks man... have a good one.

GC: Well wait man, if you looking to get something for your mics, why don't you invest your money more wisely...

Me: (Look of intrigue and utter confusion on my face)

GC: you could get a full mackie board of pre's for a little more than what you were planning on spending for the 610.

Me: Yeah, but I really waned to invest in a decent qual...

GC: Or even better, these behringer mixers are even more bang for your buck...

Me: (...knowing immediatley this story was going up here NO MATTER what was going to come out of his mouth next..but I had to bite anyway)

Still Me: So you think a single channel of that behringer board will match up to the solo 610?

GC: Dude, a pre is a pre. All they do ayway is change something from line level to mic level.

Me: I think I'll pass...

[Storyville]

I've had worse experience in the mom & pop stores than in GC/SamAsh for the most part. The SA in King of Prussia actually has a really great staff.

Here's a mom and popper:

Me (to employee who is talking to a customer): Sorry to interrupt, just need you to point me in the direction of the pro audio department.

Employee: One sec.
Continues talking to customer. Thirty seconds later:
Me: Bye.

That store went out of business.

[Mark Kaufman]

GC: Hey bro can I help you find anything?

(Tempted to stop post right here, just for laughs, but...)

Me: Yeah, do you still carry any EZ Drummer expansion packs? I don't see them out here anymore.

GC: EZ Drummer expansion packs?

Me: Yeah.

GC: What are those?

Me: They're...extra software additions for EZ Drummer...with different sounds. You used to stock them right over there.

GC: Oh...then, no. They're not there anymore.

Me: OK.

GC: I could probably special order them if you want.

Me: No, I can do that too.

GC: Wait! How about this? (Shows me the Ocean Way drum software.) This is really, really good.

Me: No, not really looking for an entirely different drum software just yet.

GC: Oh...is that what this is?

(Stares at package as I slowly slip away)

[Zenith]

Originally Posted by BlueRadio

I was trying to return a defective sm58 to the 'Pro Audio' dept at Guitar Center the other day...here's the conversation:


me- This thing isn't working. Gain cranked, no signal.

sales genius- Oh, sometimes these need a little phantom power for that "extra boost."

me- No, it's a dynamic microphone. They don't require phantom power.

sales genius- Oh yeah I know, but uhhm, sometimes the phantom power will really boost the signal.

That's wicked sad - Quality control, what?

[joelpatterson]

But-- the "boost" is not always so apparent or obvious, that's why they call it "phantom"!

[cerebralassassin]

Originally Posted by audiogeek

years ago i worked for the ill-fated Mars Music, touted to be a competitor of GC but filed Chapter 11 within a handful of years... after seeing how things are run behind the scenes, i've vowed to NEVER go into another music box store, and 8 years later i'm still holding strong. why wouldn't anyone rather support a good mom & pop store?

my buddy recently had an experience in the Portland Maine GC where he was basically accosted by a manager, because he couldn't be up-sold.

my buddy wanted a simple TC Helicon vox processor for stage, $300. He did his research, knew what it did, and knew what he wanted.

when asking for it, he had the misfortune of dealing with the manager that even the other employees regard as a serious ass. instead got the "Naw man, what you really want is this Digitech so-and-so for $800."

"No, actually, that's not what I want at all, and it's more than twice the price of the TCH.

"But why would you want that crap? Digitech is waaaay better. Trust me.

"No. Sorry, not gonna buy it.

After going on for another 5 minutes like this, the manager's face gets red, starts angrily waving his hands in my friend's face, and loudly talking over anything my buddy says. "Well GO on then, GO on! GO on! Just GO on then!"

Truly bizarre. I just don't get how you can treat a customer that way, especially one who spent thousands at your store last year. So my friend called up the GC headquarters, let them know what kind of a$$holes they're hiring as managers, and they shipped it to him free, knocking almost $100 off the price.

He still says he'll never go back, and I don't blame him.

People like you are so pleasant! I shop at that store and all the managers there are very cool. I appreciate when someone shows me better quality products for my money. I think thats doing me a great service. There's a manager there that i followed up there from one of the Massachusetts stores that is one of the premier salesman in all of guitar center. He dealt with members of Peter Frampton, Extreme, Boston, Jonathan Edwards, and many influential and important musicians to name a few. This sounds like a bit of an exaggeration to me with the attack your making on the best music store in Maine. I am a counselor by trade and if you need help i would be happy to counsel you on your misforgiven ways and dillusional theories. Maybe the salesman thought the product was a better option and more versatile. They are experts you know there.

[bobsandifer]

"the top 10 producers are using rode mics now"

I guess I need to buy one.

[JoeM'Geek]

Originally Posted by cerebralassassin

People like you are so pleasant! I work at that store and the manager made me write this.

yup

[Bobbaganouche]

this is more about GC's marketing than their retail employees...

a few months back they were having their weekly "closeout blowout extravaganza of the year" sale. I still receive their fliers in the mail from when i picked up a Digi piece 4 years ago. The flier was mentioning how there were markdowns on "everything in the store" and that they had to "blow out stock to make room for the new stuff".
however, when reading the small print at the bottom of the flier, i found a paragraph that went something like this...
Discount not available on closeout or discontinued items. Discount does not apply to the following brands: Apple, AKG, Adam, Allen&Heath, Ampeg, Audix, Behringer, Blue, Bose, Crown, DBX, Digidesign, Epiphone, Fender, Gibson, Jackson, JBL, Korg, Martin, Mackie, Mesa Boogie, Mogami, Monster Cable, Roland/Boss, Shure, Samson, Soundcraft, SSL, SWR, Yamaha
... the list went on and on...

i can only imagine the number of irate customers who walked into the store with the flier in their hands that DID NOT read the fine print.

Although I haven't been in a GC in about 4 years, I DO still have many day to day experiences from behind the counter as I work at an independent retailer (which just so happens to be bigger than any GC in the area)... either it's not just the GC goons that are stupid, or they're actually getting off work and coming to shop in my store.

all that aside, the last experience i recall in a GC was at the Madison, WI location. Two instances in one visit. My friend was looking for a new guitar head to go with his 4X12. My friend was really looking towards a Marshal JCM but also wanted to try out some Oranges. The sales guy swore on his life that there was nothing better than the B-52 LS-100 tagged at $300.
Instance number two was back in the Pro Audio department, where the guru behind the counter recommended a DBX 266XL when I asked what he had in 2-ch. comps. After convincing the man that I was not going to be purchasing the DBX, he asked me (without knowing me) if I would be willing to cover him by running FOH for him that night at a local club.


Shop Local. Live Happy.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

But-- the "boost" is not always so apparent or obvious, that's why they call it "phantom"!

lol

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by cerebralassassin

People like you are so pleasant! I shop at that store and all the managers there are very cool. I appreciate when someone shows me better quality products for my money. I think thats doing me a great service. There's a manager there that i followed up there from one of the Massachusetts stores that is one of the premier salesman in all of guitar center. He dealt with members of Peter Frampton, Extreme, Boston, Jonathan Edwards, and many influential and important musicians to name a few. This sounds like a bit of an exaggeration to me with the attack your making on the best music store in Maine. I am a counselor by trade and if you need help i would be happy to counsel you on your misforgiven ways and dillusional theories. Maybe the salesman thought the product was a better option and more versatile. They are experts you know there.

butt-piper....