Guitar Center doing things right, even when its wrong in the first place

[KFMG]

That's great man...good for you! That was a stand up response on the part of GC. I would expect that type of service from a boutique audio shop. Quite the contrary of most GC related posts.

When I first started in audio I purchased almost exclusively from GC. I still purchase from them today, just not as much. The main thing is that I always know what I want when I go to GC...as I have brought their sales associates up to speed on a number of products. I just really don't expect much help when I go to GC.

With that said, I have recently noticed a more customer friendly atmosphere in my local GC lately. Perhaps things are changing...

Thanks for posting a good report.

[samjbarry]

I live in Wilmington and the GC here is actually pretty nice. Everyone is a lot more helpful and accommodating than some of the stories I've heard/read on here. I'm not surprised that they fixed this for you.

Good to hear this though!

[Musiclab]

if you know what you want and have some patience, some times you can get great deals from GC, here's a quick list of mine in no particular order,
1. 150 Neutrik xlr's both male and female for 25 cent's each
2. 6 reels of Ampex 499 @ 75.00 each
3. Tama Starclassic used kit no hardware other than tom stand 500.00
the kit was in very good shape, and still is.
4. Oram Al Schmitt GMS channel, mic pre, opto compressor, 6 band eq
sells for around 8,000, I got one for 2,000.
5. Egnater Mica Tol for 800.00

Usually I go to GC and just look around most times there's nothing but every now and then you can win. Just don't ask any questions

[Yetti]

That's a good customer service story...
For one thing, the positive experience post, and any word of mouth becomes dollars well spent in marketing for GC.
The other thing was I really didn't know the presonus central station...I did a quick search and it looks like a good product.

Lou, funny comment of " just don't ask any questions" lol
Unless you feel like being entertained that day....

[lynyrd]

Its nice to read a story about great customer service. Sometimes a store will surprise you!

[BFrederick]

Yeah.. its best to know exactly what you want before you walk in the door. Those poor staffers, as nice and as polite as they can be, just don't have the training and the knowledge that we do (9 out of 10 times). But that should be expected. They aren't pro's.. they are retail employees.

Its just tedious when you try an explain something to them and they get all, "well who the f**K are you pal?"

I have a guitar center, a Sam Ash Music, and a few little mom and pop shops within 25 minutes of my studio. I exclusively go to GC now because

1. Sam Ash is 10x worse in the knowledge and selection department. Generally a bit more rude they NEVER have what I'm looking for, even if its in the catalogue. If my studio was 100% Samson products I'd be set at Sam Ash.

2. Local mom and pop spots just can't compete price or selection wise. Its nuts how much knockoff stuff these shops have.

[Cheebs Goat]

There is a law that says whenever Wilmington pops up somewhere outside of Wlimington, us Wilmington people have to acknowledge it.

Hey, Wilmington!

That should cover it.

[toddreloaded]

GC is alright if you know what you want. But the sales staff will lie to your face. I feel bad for so many people when I'm in GC. I usually step in and help if it's a kid with his mom or something. I just think it's F'ed up to sell garbage to a kid who probably worked/saved up all year for whatever they're trying to buy. I remember leaving GC in high school with an M-Audio Fast Track thinking my shit was gonna sound like Linkin Park.

[Dpro]

Originally Posted by BFrederick

1. Sam Ash is 10x worse in the knowledge and selection department. Generally a bit more rude they NEVER have what I'm looking for, even if its in the catalogue. If my studio was 100% Samson products I'd be set at Sam Ash.

This is interesting as I have found Sam Ash Hollywood to just blow away GC Hollywood in the customer service department these days and not completely horrible in the selection.

Truthfully no local Pro Audio stores carry all of the things I am interested in these days. There is always at least one product line I want to compare that that none of them carry.

There was a time when GC Hollywood was pretty damn good. Those days have long since gone. Now its pretty much a place of go in knowing what you want. If its not there don't bother asking. Their customer service sucks.

Places like Sweetwater have a much better overall selection and some of the smaller online stores like Zen Pro as well.