Guitar Center

[Spivonious]

So some of you may remember me getting a Kelly Std off of ebay a few months back. Well, I gave them a chance, but I just don't like the EMGs that the previous owner had installed.

I don't really want to use Ebay to sell them because of all of the changes in selling policies recently, and Craiglist only got me an offer of $50 for the pair (81/85).

No problem, I think, I'll trade them in at Guitar Center for some Dimarzios. Even GC should give me at least $80 for the pair, seeing as they sell for over $100 each new.

So today my buddy and I go to GC. I walk in, take the pickups out and say I'd like to trade these in.

"Sorry we don't take trade-ins on pickups. It's the wires."

"Okay, I guess I can kind of see that making sense. Do you have any Dimarzio Tone Zones in stock?"

"Let me check. Yep we have two. Do you want one?"

"Do you do the 30 day return policy for pickups?"

"No, it's because of the wires. Dimarzio's website has samples though."

"Okay...it's $69.95?" (quoting the price listed on the GC website)

"No, $79.95."

"No thanks."

GC has really turned into a crap hole lately. They used to have a nice variety of gear and a great return policy. Now it's Fenders and Gibsons and only returning if the item is in its original condition.

[phill_up]

I returned a sreamin' demon at GC. I didnt get my money back but I got an instore credit

[Grandturk]

Hey - I went to the Guitar Center in Lancaster PA - it was a crap hole.

But, I understand them not wanting to do a trade on pickups - nobody goes into a Guitar Center to buy used pickups.

[Spivonious]

Hey - I went to the Guitar Center in Lancaster PA - it was a crap hole.

But, I understand them not wanting to do a trade on pickups - nobody goes into a Guitar Center to buy used pickups.

It's not just the Lancaster location though. I used to go up to the Harrisburg store and out to the Plymouth Meeting store, and they're all going downhill.

I understand them not wanting to take pickups back, but to charge $10 more than the price on their website? That's just a scam.

[MetalHeadMat]

Hey - I went to the Guitar Center in Lancaster PA - it was a crap hole.

But, I understand them not wanting to do a trade on pickups - nobody goes into a Guitar Center to buy used pickups.

If they tested it, and it was dramatically cheaper I would.

[clifffclaven]

Well, the first problem is, its guitar center. Go to a local store.

[Bengal65]

Well, the first problem is, its guitar center. Go to a local store.

Yeah, with their new ownership, no deals and no negotiating. What ever the price says it's what you pay. I have some associates that work at GC, and they hate the policy. No more deals on anything.

[Grandturk]

I understand them not wanting to take pickups back, but to charge $10 more than the price on their website? That's just a scam.

Its not a scam per se. It could be a couple of things - one is that the brick and mortar location is a separate operating entity from the ".com." That means each entity is free to charge whatever prices they like.

[Axewielder]

From Dimarzio's website:

If you are a U.S. resident and you are not satisfied with the performance of your DiMarzio® pickup for any reason, DiMarzio®, Inc. will exchange it within thirty days of original purchase for any other DiMarzio® pickup having an equal or lesser manufacturer's suggested retail price. If you want to exchange it for a higher priced pickup, you must include the difference in the listed retail price with your exchange. Here's how to do it: Call us at (718) 816-8112 any Monday through Friday between 12:00 Noon and 5:00 PM Eastern Time. We will give you a Return Authorization number and make certain you are happy with your replacement choice. The original pickup must be returned directly to DiMarzio®, Inc. Sales receipt or other Proof of Purchase must be included with the returned pickup. DiMarzio? will not accept any pickup which has been altered or damaged due to misuse or accident. This offer applies to U.S. residents only.

[joelayres]

Guitar Center is not worth shit.
Total waste of time - bunch of pimply faced little pricks that don't know their ass from their elbow.

[straycat]

My local GC is pretty cool its a small store tho'.The MGR is a dick but the employees rock.
The head of the guitar sales is an old Charvel junkie and the young guy is very cool I even do work on his guitar from time to time.
They treat me with respect and give me great deals too.

[clifffclaven]

Yeah, with their new ownership, no deals and no negotiating. What ever the price says it's what you pay. I have some associates that work at GC, and they hate the policy. No more deals on anything.

irrelevant. gc=walmart.

My "local" store will meet any price from wallyworld. And..

do setups for free. install pickups for free. Restrings for free.

fuck guitar center.

[hippietim]

Guitar Center is not worth shit.
Total waste of time - bunch of pimply faced little pricks that don't know their ass from their elbow.

what a bunch of BS.

[Jayster]

guitar center - love it or hate it, has it's place. I went into the local mom and pop store the other day and they only had 3 guitars. They didn't even have a set of ernie ball 9's. I can easily see them going out of business, it's a shame as they've been there for 20+ years(and are walking distance from my house, conveniently located next to the package store).

Guitar center does have some good employees and some who probably won't work out, like most businesses. I got a pretty good deal on a power conditioner(demo model - but the pro audio guy had to find a manager to see if he could even sell it ! It's not like it used to be, where you could haggle a bit. Worst of all their inventory was down by at least 30 guitars, and the fact that the wall hangers had been removed - lead me to believe that they were not planning on restocking to previous levels.

[Spivonious]

Worst of all their inventory was down by at least 30 guitars, and the fact that the wall hangers had been removed - lead me to believe that they were not planning on restocking to previous levels.

Yeah, it used to be a place where you could try out a bunch of different guitars. They had Jackson, ESP, Ibanez, Fender, Gibson, Parker, Schecter, and probably some others I'm forgetting. Now it's just Fender, Gibson, and Schecter. My local GC has about 3 Jacksons, and they're all bottom-of-the-line models. Even the Ibanez count is down to a couple of RGs.


Is that Dimarzio exchange deal good for pickups purchased from GC? I thought you had to buy direct from Dimarzio to get that deal (and pay full MSRP).