Stupid things you've been told at Guitar Center

[fross]

GCs are convenient, true.
And they're everywhere.

But most of you guys, includung myself, know more about this shit than any salesman at GC.

So, why do you allow these mooks to get you all crazy?

I've used GC on many occasion, but I very rarely seek the advise of the salesmen. When I go in, I already know everything about the electronics or instrument I'm seeking. I go straight to it, check it out and either:

1. buy it if the deal is decent
or
2. go home and buy it on line for cheaper anyway

Sure, I've encountered many a rambling fool that doesn't know shit, but I ignore him or her and do what I gotta do. And if I'm trying out an instrument, I tell him/her that I don't need any assistance, because I already know everything I need to know. And please let me be, while I check out the instrument or whatever.

This, my friend, is what the GC experience should be.

And in all fairness, they aren't all clueless. The more cluless, the more they tend to talk. I believe it usually becomes quickly apparent which guys or gals know what they're talking about and which are just wasting air. Usually, the ones that know their shit are cool, not too pushy and are genuinely helpful. Even still, because of the internet and the wealth of imfo available, a salesman is usually not needed.

[bexarametric]

Originally Posted by grindx

The problem is the intro period when you have no customer base. For the most part they can't attract anyone with practical experience as they will already have lifestyles that cannot be supported by minimum wage. If you can float the initial period when you aren't making any money, the potential for earning is there.

If I were not married, then that intro period would have sucked. That being said, I led my store in sales my first month on the job, having just moved from another city a few weeks earlier. I had no customer base. But I was lucky on a few deals, plus everyone in my department at the time was clueless. Thus, it was easy to attract business. So it can be done. It's just not easy.

I tend to notice when a customer knows more about something than I do. That's when I start asking them the questions (reverse roles), so I can learn.

[bexarametric]

Originally Posted by ArtGarceau

I'm back with a few more gems. Just a reminder...I work for a manufacturer and these are my daily dealings with GC.

This first beauty was a call my boss took....

GC: I need a price on a 421!

Boss: Sennheiser?

GC: Yea.

Boss: This is "insert company"....they are a competitor.

GC: I know, but you guys own Sennheiser so can I just get the price from you?

Boss: No, we don't own Sennheiser.

GC: Yes you do!

Boss: I can assure you we don't!

GC: Can I speak to a manager because appearantly you don't know what you are talking about

Boss: I am a manager

GC: Ugh...thanks.


Now for one I got last week...


GC: This is Smokez (I confirmed the spelling before the end of the call) from the muthafukin' um store muthafukin' um 666 Guitar Center(not really the store number)

Me: :chuckling like santa claus: What can I do for ya Mr. Smokez?

GC: Yea um muthafukin' um ya know that cordless (not wireless) mic?

Me: Which one?

GC: The one at Guitar Center

Me: Sorry I'm going to need you to elaborate...there are many systems and many different wireless capsules and a lot more Guitar Centers than wireless systems.

GC: Fo real...muthafukin' um um muthafukin' um um....which one do I need?

Me: You tell me. I need to know what series and then we can go from there.

GC: Muthafukin' um...its a receiver and we jus need the mic...ya know what I'm sayin?

Me: I don't.

GC: What?

Me: I don't know what you are saying...I just hear a lot of muthafukins and no information as to how I can help you. I really want to but I need a little info from ya.

GC: This is bogus...why can't you help a brotha out ya know what I'm sayin?

This went on for a good 30 min and we got nowhere.

Why did they call the wrong company? I wish I knew what store Smokez worked at. I would love to call him for a SIT on a MIDI to 1/4" cable (common inside GC prank phone call that we do on new guys).

[moonpi]

Originally Posted by scking

Obviously I'm in the minority here, but I've had good experiences with Guitar Center in Atlanta. One of the assistant managers (a guy named Skip) always seems to know what I'm talking about and never tries to BS me. If he doesn't know something, he just says so.

Skip's a really good guy. I did some work for him back when he ran his studio in Macon. He certainly does know his gear and is about the only person I would trust at GC to give me an honest and actually knowledgeable opinion

I personally refuse to buy anything from GC unless I need some strings in a pinch or they happen to have a particular piece of used gear that I just HAVE to have. Other than that, I don't even like to walk into any GC. I'll call my guy at Sweetwater instead.

[moonpi]

Originally Posted by ImJohn

FWIW I own one and it actually is a pretty nice sounding unit, especially at the price point.

I'll agree... at the price point. It's certainly not going to win a shootout with a Chandler, Vintech, Massenburg, Manley, Universal Audio or other high end gear. It does sound a little less meaty and dynamic. But, it most certainly is among the best channel strips in it's class.

I've been using one of the Digimax FS units for some live recording and it's perfect for that. Often I'll use it to "upgrade" some of the mixer pres depending on the mixer.

One piece that I really liked a lot and that feels really solid (except for some of the push buttons) is the Central Station. It really does sound good and works well; especially for the price.

Enough Presonus ramblings... Back to the GC bashing.

[TL2]

I was told a long time ago by a higher up in GC corporate (before the IPO) that they remain extremely profitable by employing low level employees and that this was by perfect design.

The store prints huge catalogs with everything clearly marked so Mom, Dad and Mr. New Guy simply walks in and points to the catalog and says "I want this in blue". Sales made simple. You just need clerks, not a sales staff. The unsuspecting new employee will never "fade" past his minimum wage "draw" thus costing GC very little for his payroll. He'll get discouraged and quit within three months (never able to take advantage of employee pricing). This vicious cycle will continue for eternity as GC spends very little in sales staff payroll as a result and they still move boxes in spite of themselves. Low wages plus high volume profits equals happiness for Marty and Ray.

The yang of this scenario are the few guys in the store that can actually close a deal and have weathered the initial storm of starvation. These guys will usually have a client base that will guarantee them always "fading" early in the month - thus a decent paycheck awaits. Every store has a couple of these guys and they're usually bumped to "pro accounts" status or something of that nature in due time. Ask for them specifically if you want any kind of real service. They do exist. Everyone else is unfortunately, just a clerk.

Shop GC when dealing with the Pro Accounts guys and call ahead of time to ensure what you want is waiting at the door. In a box. Not a re-pack. Get your billing info on account there and transactions are somewhat painless. GC Pro is great for this as gear is literally a phone call away and they can usually get all the esoteric stuff you want. Walk in, sign credit slip, check out the "do ho's" latest tattoo and walk out.

[bexarametric]

Originally Posted by TL2

I was told a long time ago by a higher up in GC corporate (before the IPO) that they remain extremely profitable by employing low level employees and that this was by perfect design.

The store prints huge catalogs with everything clearly marked so Mom, Dad and Mr. New Guy simply walks in and points to the catalog and says "I want this in blue". Sales made simple. You just need clerks, not a sales staff. The unsuspecting new employee will never "fade" past his minimum wage "draw" thus costing GC very little for his payroll. He'll get discouraged and quit within three months (never able to take advantage of employee pricing). This vicious cycle will continue for eternity as GC spends very little in sales staff payroll as a result and they still move boxes in spite of themselves. Low wages plus high volume profits equals happiness for Marty and Ray.

The yang of this scenario are the few guys in the store that can actually close a deal and have weathered the initial storm of starvation. These guys will usually have a client base that will guarantee them always "fading" early in the month - thus a decent paycheck awaits. Every store has a couple of these guys and they're usually bumped to "pro accounts" status or something of that nature in due time. Ask for them specifically if you want any kind of real service. They do exist. Everyone else is unfortunately, just a clerk.

Shop GC when dealing with the Pro Accounts guys and call ahead of time to ensure what you want is waiting at the door. In a box. Not a re-pack. Get your billing info on account there and transactions are somewhat painless. GC Pro is great for this as gear is literally a phone call away and they can usually get all the esoteric stuff you want. Walk in, sign credit slip, check out the "do ho's" latest tattoo and walk out.

Well put. That sounds about right.

[PRobb]

Originally Posted by Blatboy

I've seen them there! (I don't recall if I saw them at this store in Queens) That's one of the many reasons I thought the exchange was so funny...

Yo, Blat! I didn't know you were here. When I saw the uke story, you were the first guy I thought of.

[Blatboy]

yeahman. you know if you see me here that means I've got a deadline tomorrow I'm procrastinating on... ha!!!!!

...uh, sorry kids.... back to your regularly scheduled topic...

[stevep]

MIDI to 1/4" cable (common inside GC prank phone call that we do on new guys).

Nice !

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by moonpi

I'll agree... at the price point. It's certainly not going to win a shootout with a Chandler, Vintech, Massenburg, Manley, Universal Audio or other high end gear. It does sound a little less meaty and dynamic. But, it most certainly is among the best channel strips in it's class.

I've been using one of the Digimax FS units for some live recording and it's perfect for that. Often I'll use it to "upgrade" some of the mixer pres depending on the mixer.

One piece that I really liked a lot and that feels really solid (except for some of the push buttons) is the Central Station. It really does sound good and works well; especially for the price.

Enough Presonus ramblings... Back to the GC bashing.

Ah one more rambling. You should hear a 3Q(220USD) up against a Eureka(450USD), the 3Q is much more simple yet sounds so much better. It has all those things you mentioned the Eureka doesn't. Sorry, rambling done.

[moonpi]

Originally Posted by Jonboy79

Ah one more rambling. You should hear a 3Q(220USD) up against a Eureka(450USD), the 3Q is much more simple yet sounds so much better. It has all those things you mentioned the Eureka doesn't. Sorry, rambling done.

Have to check it out. Thanks!

[Mike Chav]

That their tagged "Garaunteed lowest price" is the best deal i can get. LOL

[Tone Obsessed]

Originally Posted by moonpi

I'll call my guy at Sweetwater instead.

Now that should be the subject of the next thread!!!! As much as the culture of GC has been bashed here, I believe Sweetwater is wayyyy worse!

[DirtyDogProd]

Take some time to get to know who's got any shit together. I have been working with a GC Pro guy for almost ten years (at GC) and for ten years before that at various local stores. He know his stuff and has always been reliable. (for those interested, the GC in Edina Minnesota). Never tries to sell me anything but what I'm interested in and will let me know if he has an opinion, but never, ever does a hard sell. Will let me return anything I'm not happy with, no questions. Ask for Paul. He's my go to guy. If I have to deal with almost anyone else, I'll come back later.

[Oscar]

It wasn't at GC, but this past weekend I went to a local "pro" audio store to demo some speakers. I asked what the frequency range was for the 2 pairs I was looking to demo and was told "all speakers are pretty much 20 hertz to 20k". It took some convincing on my part that this isn't the case and eventually the guy checked the specs sheets for me. They didn't get my money.

[C/G]

Originally Posted by ArtGarceau

There are so many funny names I've heard over the years....these aren't a joke....

Ill Logic
Smokez
Razor
Lock Jaw
Cupcake
Blade
Beenie
Jonesin'

I know at least three are still employees, but I won't say which stores. The funny thing is that a lot of the names were stolen from the show American Gladiators.

Are you sure those are not just washed up gladiators working for guitar center?

[moonpi]

Originally Posted by Tone Obsessed

Now that should be the subject of the next thread!!!! As much as the culture of GC has been bashed here, I believe Sweetwater is wayyyy worse!

You must work for GC, then. My condolences.

I'll admit that it certainly can depend on who you deal with there. But most of the people there know what they are talking about and will take care of you. Even the guy with the least experience at Sweetwater would know leagues more than most pf the best at GC.

I'm willing to give people a fair shot, but in this case, I'm sorry... there is NO way that Sweetwater could possibly be worse. I've had nothing but excellent service. Oh, I know... they aren't the sexy store in LA or New York . All this means is that they don't have a big overhead which means that they can provide more value and service to support the purchase. There is a whole lot more going on there behind the scenes to guarantee your satisfaction than anywhere else I have dealt with. They also don't have some point guy or the owner, claiming to be some better engineer than you, out on the forums craftily-flaming anyone who says something that he disagrees with. They focus on the gear and how well it is working for their customers and how well it could work for you if you can give them a chance and hold a relatively short conversation with them. Ultimately, If you have a personality conflict with your sales engineer, then ask to switch. Nobody gets along with everybody, but some can get along with more. I don't know the specifics behind your hatred, but I know that if you give them a chance to develop a working relationship there, then you will see how great a place it actually is to work with and purchase from.

[moonpi]

Originally Posted by C/G

Are you sure those are not just washed up gladiators working for guitar center?

Oh, that's too funny! The names are priceless... and too true! I have always heard the "cool-guy" names called out across the store when I've gone in there to be entertained.

[kyle barton]

well....
I remember the days before guitar center, when you couldn't find diddly at your local music store. with guitar center, at least they scoop up a bunch of stuff and put it in one place for you mall with your grubby little hands. i just ignore the acne-infested clerks for the most part. the good far outweighs the bad.

[Methlab]

I totally forgot this one, and it is my favorite by far:

I was on tour and my band was playing a big radio "x" fest at the time. And I was looking to get an Ernie Ball bass during the afternoon. I had a custom one coming, but the rep there said they were way behind on production and if I bought one for now and sent in the receipt, i could get reimbursed for artist discount..etc.

so anyway the singer and I reluctantly go into a GC to buy a bass there since the tech was really getting on my ass to get something asap. Well i stand in the bass section and see a sterling that id like to try. No one helped me...it was about 10 feet up here, so i could not get to it. Literally, not one person came over to help me out, and i looked around for 10 minutes.

So that night on stage, we are playing. I'd say the crowd was pretty big..like 10k or so...tons of big bands at this thing..you guys know how these festivals are.

And between songs, Im tuning or drinking water or whatever, and our singer gets on the mic and recants the GC story. I mean he ranted about how no one would help me and told everyone there never to shop at GC at such and such address. It was completely ballsy and hilarious, and it is definitely my top GC story of all time.

[emkay]

I think aside from the entertainment value both at GC and Sweetwater, if you are a "pro" and you know what you want, all you need is the best price and that the gear is available! End of story! I for one would rather patronize the "mom and pops" sellers, but sometimes they just can't compete. You know upfront what you are dealing with when you buy from Ash, or GC or Sweetwater--better prices---shitty advice---"posturing"----and for the most part, a really good laugh.

By the way, I really enjoy the job description at Sweetwater----
"SALES ENGINEER!!":-----so.......that makes me....a......."PURCHASING ENGINEER!!"

and.......I don't know about you..............but.........

I've always found something "disturbingly cultish" about Sweetwater.......peace?

[JonCraig]

i've dealt with 3 guys @ sweetwater, all of whom have been EXCELLENT. Mike Picotte, Sam Rogers, and Paddy Steading.

i think there's REAL value in finding a salesperson and sticking to him. i've put off purchases from both guitar center & sweetwater in the past because "my guy" wasn't in that day, etc.

that said, if i can get it used on ebay for half as much, that's probably where you'll find me! thumbsup

--jon

[loopy]

Not GC or Sam Ash but a high end audio store back in the late 1970s.
I was looking for a set of Allison One speakers and went to this audio "salon" type store in NYC where I lived at the time.
They had a wall of speakers and the salesman was this black dude who looked like he belonged on Mod Squad or something.

So anyway, he keeps pushing this mid line Bose speakers on me and I keep telling him no, I don't like them. They weren't 901s but I think 601s or something like that.
So anyway, he has to turn them on and demo them anyway.

I listen for a bit, they sucked of course, but it didn't sound like the sound was coming from the general area of where the Bose speakers were positioned in the "wall of speakers".

I mentioned this to him and he smiled and blurted out:

"Man, 'Dats da trick of da' Bose" !!!

(I suppose he was referring to Bose's reflected sound)

I walked over to the wall and put my ear against several speakers and discovered he had about 4 different sets playing at the same time.

Trick of the Bose my A$$ I said as I walked out.....

I'll never forget him!

[Keire]

I went to L&M in burlington and overheard a conversation between a customer and salesman. The guy was trying to buy a pair of speakers and wasnt sure what to go for. My jaw hit the floor when the salesman told the customer that if hes mixing jungle or dance music hes going to want a speaker with a carved out midsection because the music is all about bass and high end.

[Opie Taylor]

Originally Posted by TL2

I was told a long time ago by a higher up in GC corporate (before the IPO) that they remain extremely profitable by employing low level employees and that this was by perfect design.

The store prints huge catalogs with everything clearly marked so Mom, Dad and Mr. New Guy simply walks in and points to the catalog and says "I want this in blue". Sales made simple. You just need clerks, not a sales staff. The unsuspecting new employee will never "fade" past his minimum wage "draw" thus costing GC very little for his payroll. He'll get discouraged and quit within three months (never able to take advantage of employee pricing). This vicious cycle will continue for eternity as GC spends very little in sales staff payroll as a result and they still move boxes in spite of themselves. Low wages plus high volume profits equals happiness for Marty and Ray.

The yang of this scenario are the few guys in the store that can actually close a deal and have weathered the initial storm of starvation. These guys will usually have a client base that will guarantee them always "fading" early in the month - thus a decent paycheck awaits. Every store has a couple of these guys and they're usually bumped to "pro accounts" status or something of that nature in due time. Ask for them specifically if you want any kind of real service. They do exist. Everyone else is unfortunately, just a clerk.

Shop GC when dealing with the Pro Accounts guys and call ahead of time to ensure what you want is waiting at the door. In a box. Not a re-pack. Get your billing info on account there and transactions are somewhat painless. GC Pro is great for this as gear is literally a phone call away and they can usually get all the esoteric stuff you want. Walk in, sign credit slip, check out the "do ho's" latest tattoo and walk out.

Well done, I got a GC guy I deal with. He works in PA. I remember i asked a younger guy in guitars if they had a simple multi guiar stand. He just said " no we dont have them". I was like "wahtt..?". Anyhow I just went to my normal GC guy and he just waltzed over to the guitar dept. and grabbed it and i was done.

[bgrotto]

My personal best GC story (though I have plenty):

During college I worked at a coffee shop that sits right next to the local GC. The GC guys typically came by once or twice a day to get their coffee/bagel fix, so I knew who they all were, whether they were in their GC attire or not.

DAY 1:

So, I'm whipping up some bagel sandwiches when a co-worker of mine comes in and starts chatting with me about a party he had attended the night before. It was a real hipster-crowd affair, and even though it took place in somebody's apartment, there was a live "indy-rock" band set up in the living room (ahh, the follies of youth). So apparently there was some preppy girl there who was most miserably spending her night scowling in the corner with her fingers in her ears, due, apparently, to the fact that not only was the band loud and crappy, but the PA they were playing through was awful sounding and CRANKED. So I said something to the effect of, "Yeah, well, subject me to some crappy Allston Rock City garbage through a bad and too-loud PA and I'd probably spend the night scowling with my fingers in my ears, too."

BAM! Outta nowhere comes be-dreadlocked, be-bearded, and be-plainclothed Guitar Center salesman, presumably on his way into work, who has no idea that I know he works for GC. "Actually, it doesn't really matter HOW loud a PA is, if it's of high enough quality," he chimes in. "Oh? That's odd..." I reply.
"Yeah," he says. "It's complicated, but it has to do with distortions and sympathetic vibrations within the ear drum."
This is, of course, news to me, so I prod him for more info. But it's pretty complicated. A simple, coffee-and-bagel-slinging plebian like myself wouldn't understand. Thankfully, I happened to be wearing a Motorhead T Shirt that day (fate, perhaps?), so I play the layman, and ask simply "So you mean to tell me that if you went to see Motorhead, even if they were playing top volume, your ears wouldn't be damaged/sore if they were running through the best PA with the lowest, um, what did you call that again...oh yeah, 'DISTORTION'?"
"That's correct."
"Wow, that's really cool. So, like, you must do a lotta live sound work then. Who do you tour with?"
"Oh, uh, well I'm not on the road with anyone right now."
"Oh that's cool. So which club do you work at?"
"Well, I don't really work at any club, per se, either."
"Hm. Well, geez. It's not like you work at like, <i>Guitar Center</i> or anything. Heh, right, buddy?"
To which I received a crumpled handful of singles and a stiff, "Yeah, whatever" before he stormed out the door.

DAY 2:

A couple days later I'm back on the grind at the coffee shop, and GC guy comes back in. He starts reciting more "figures" at me to prove his sales-pitch, er, I mean all-encompassing grasp of all things audio. So I offer him this:
"I'm no audio expert or anything [ ] but I DO play the drums and I fancy myself a pretty bright guy. So what I'm thinking is this: let's consider the 'perfect' PA no PA at all. That would have the lowest distortion characteristics, flattest frequency response, etc. Why don't I sit down at my drum kit and hit rim shots while you put your ear right at the source of my signal: the snare drum. After fifteen minutes or so of listening through our "perfect PA", lemme know how your ears feel."

Well, that was the last time he ever tried to sell me anything while I was at work. Of course, that didn't stop him from trying when I went into the store during my breaks to browse...

But that's a whole other series of tales.

[adkelly]

I'm not sure how it is now, but GC used to have a system setup where a salesperson could become "certified', generally meaning they knew which end of the cable went where. It's basically the only way someone could do anything besides starve to death in Pro Audio because the margins (the employees can see) are so slim. I worked there for a bit about 12 years ago in outside sales (now called pro) and must agree with the sentiment of finding one of those guys to deal with. A whole other world from the idiocy on display behind the counter. Here in LA the store in Sherman Oaks is definitely cool. Send an email, walk in, hand him my cc, walk out. Nice and simple.

[daveseviltwin]

Now that should be the subject of the next thread!!!! As much as the culture of GC has been bashed here, I believe Sweetwater is wayyyy worse!

Well, I'm really talking about buying midrange garbage that I need occasionally. If I'm going to buy a nice pre or nice mics I'll talk to my guys at http://www.soundpure.com/ or Mercenary. If you haven't checked out soundpure, these guys are great for the higher end stuff.

My point was that if I need something shipped soon that's pretty cheap I'll call me sweetwater guy. I don't care what anyone say, their customer service is much better than GC and MF. Plus they're the only mail order company that hasn't sent me damaged gear.

Musicians Friend 3 damaged Vox Ac-30's and 2 bad guitars
ZZounds-1 damaged microphone
Same Day Music-Lost my HR824's (I said the hell with them anyway)
Sam Ash-Damaged V-drums

[moonpi]

Originally Posted by daveseviltwin

Well, I'm really talking about buying midrange garbage that I need occasionally. If I'm going to buy a nice pre or nice mics I'll talk to my guys at http://www.soundpure.com/ or Mercenary. If you haven't checked out soundpure, these guys are great for the higher end stuff.

My point was that if I need something shipped soon that's pretty cheap I'll call me sweetwater guy. I don't care what anyone say, their customer service is much better than GC and MF. Plus they're the only mail order company that hasn't sent me damaged gear.

Musicians Friend 3 damaged Vox Ac-30's and 2 bad guitars
ZZounds-1 damaged microphone
Same Day Music-Lost my HR824's (I said the hell with them anyway)
Sam Ash-Damaged V-drums

Well, Sweetwater carries Manley, Chandler Ltd., Massenburg, Vintech, Universal Audio, Millennia, Grace, Soundelux, Neumann, Royer, Mojave, Dangerous Audio, Apogee, etc. I'm not trying to start something, but... these are not higher end? Sweetwater might not be in the business of refurbishing old Neve's and API's, but I think they are better off focusing on getting us the right gear, intact, fast, and supporting our experience with that gear. Nothing wrong with that. I've also found that if they don't have something, they can most usually order it, or have it made. Try doing that at a GC.