Shopping at Guitar Center

El_jalepeno · 08-21-2004, 07:36 AM

I go to buy a D Tuner at Guitar Center last week. OK, no big deal on that, but here's my story:

I go to Guitar Center and I ask the guy behind the guitar parts counter for a D Tuner. Doofus starts showing me fucking electric tuners. Says I, "No, it drops E to D". Doffus starts showing me tuning machines! [img]images/smilies/icon_confused.gif[/img] Then I see this chick, and she's the manager. I tell Doofus, "Ask her. I bet she knows..." She starts showing electric tuners!!!

So I ask the guy to show me a guitar with a Floyd Rose so I can explain it to him. He's heading towards the Strats. I am humoring him now, and I ask if he knows what a Floyd Rose is. He informs me it is a type of guitar made by Fender in the late 90's. I'm beyond laughing. This guy works in a fucking guitar store with no idea of a Floyd Rose. What is this country coming to?!?

FINALLY... He asks someone else about the Floyd, and I interrupt and say I am looking for a D Tuner specifically.
...
...
...
In the fucking case next to the electric tuners!!! [img]images/smilies/wutblau.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_doh.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

This is too much, so I tell the guy I sure as am not paying full price for something I had to train his people on. I got it for $39 [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

ericgtr · 08-21-2004, 09:09 AM

LOL.. Goes to show you how out of touch today's people are with the whole whammy system. Bring back the 80's! [img]images/smilies/rock.gif[/img]

**guitarwizard2003** · 08-21-2004, 10:26 AM

wow now thats what i call a super guitar store what service [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

**axeshredder** · 08-21-2004, 11:04 AM

blame it on the cheap assholes that run these stores that dont want to pay someone with experience....and that store has a policy of not letting someone work there for a long time....everytime i go in there theres different emplyees so you cant go to the guy you spent over $2000 with to get i good deal.....though Guitar Centers prices are adjustable and i always get a discount or something for free!

**VHF** · 08-21-2004, 11:14 AM

Oh EJ.....you had them confused becasue it's actually called a D-tuna, not a D-tuner. [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

I never ask anyone at GC for help....I just beat thm up about the prices for entertainment value.

Anyway what do you think of it? Mine work perfectly.

BTW-That thing costs about a dollar to make.....so Ed thanks you for the $38, [img]images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]

El_jalepeno · 08-21-2004, 11:27 AM

G, don't even get me started [img]images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/img] I called GC at 12 and 75 to ask about it, and I did call it a D Tuna, and the guy on the phone said it was a D Tuner. But I did feel pretty silly afterwards because I realized I could have walked in there with my trusty allen wrench and swipe one from an existing guitar. These morons wouldn't have known the difference! [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Kids: Don't try this at home.

classalpha · 08-21-2004, 02:23 PM

Well a decade ago when I worked at GC I was hired specifically for my unsurpassed (at the time) product knowledge.

I didn't have much of a work history back then, and with my long, thick black hair, looking like a member (or resident) of "Skid Row" I didn't look at all employable... [img]images/smilies/icon_redface.gif[/img]
But the manager explicity told me at the interview that what they were looking from ALL their employees wasn't looks, but was someone who knew what the f*ck they were selling - for example- the salesperson knew what the actual difference betwen a phase shifter and a flanger was or had working knowledge of speaker impedances and what series or parallel wiring meant, etc.. Therefore the salesperson wouldn't steer the customer away from what they really needed or sell them something that would potentially damage the customer's existing equipment... causing warrantee nighmares for the customer, store and manufacturer. [img]images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/img]

But that was ten years ago, and what I've noticed lately is that old "store knowledgebase" ethic at GC is totally gone. [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img] I don't think however that GC *specifically* hires idiots who have no idea about equipment or instrument accessories to make it hard on the customer- I think it has more to do with the overall *Bilderberg sponsored* mass dumbing-down of society that is so prevalent today. [img]images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

It's also due to the corporate music industry-induced, subterranian-destined spiraling musical trends such as cRap, grunge and nu-metal, of which attract such musical illiterates who seek employment at GC and get hired because it's their angry, tatooed and pierced cretin, or "Blinked 169" geek looking co-horts who are the store's biggest consumer base, therefore the store has to cater to customers who buy products based on mass popularity rather than necessity or practicality... thus it eliminates the need for actual working knowledge of the product which is being bought or sold. [img]images/smilies/wutblau.gif[/img]

**EddieMan2003** · 08-21-2004, 04:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
classalpha said:
Well a decade ago when I worked at GC I was hired specifically for my unsurpassed (at the time) product knowledge.

I didn't have much of a work history back then, and with my long, thick black hair, looking like a member (or resident) of "Skid Row" I didn't look at all employable... [img]images/smilies/icon_redface.gif[/img]
But the manager explicity told me at the interview that what they were looking from ALL their employees wasn't looks, but was someone who knew what the f*ck they were selling - for example- the salesperson knew what the actual difference betwen a phase shifter and a flanger was or had working knowledge of speaker impedances and what series or parallel wiring meant, etc.. Therefore the salesperson wouldn't steer the customer away from what they really needed or sell them something that would potentially damage the customer's existing equipment... causing warrantee nighmares for the customer, store and manufacturer. [img]images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/img]

But that was ten years ago, and what I've noticed lately is that old "store knowledgebase" ethic at GC is totally gone. [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img] I don't think however that GC *specifically* hires idiots who have no idea about equipment or instrument accessories to make it hard on the customer- I think it has more to do with the overall *Bilderberg sponsored* mass dumbing-down of society that is so prevalent today. [img]images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

It's also due to the corporate music industry-induced, subterranian-destined spiraling musical trends such as cRap, grunge and nu-metal, of which attract such musical illiterates who seek employment at GC and get hired because it's their angry, tatooed and pierced cretin, or "Blinked 169" geek looking co-horts who are the store's biggest consumer base, therefore the store has to cater to customers who buy products based on mass popularity rather than necessity or practicality... thus it eliminates the need for actual working knowledge of the product which is being bought or sold. [img]images/smilies/wutblau.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Well said, anyways GC is way overpriced, even with the special 100 dollar strat rebate, i can get it for 100$ less at music and arts. im talkin bout the american made strat. f them.

**VHF** · 08-22-2004, 07:02 AM

[ QUOTE ]
El_jalepeno said:
But I did feel pretty silly afterwards because I realized I could have walked in there with my trusty allen wrench and swipe one from an existing guitar. These morons wouldn't have known the difference! [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Is GC finally selling new Wolfgangs in the stores now? I try to avoid the place, but if so I might go have a look.

Beka4MikE · 08-22-2004, 08:29 AM

AT least you didn't go into the store and ask to see a fender and have the guy take you to the back of the building so he could show you his car fender.

El_jalepeno · 08-22-2004, 05:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
VHfanOU812 said:
[ QUOTE ]
El_jalepeno said:
But I did feel pretty silly afterwards because I realized I could have walked in there with my trusty allen wrench and swipe one from an existing guitar. These morons wouldn't have known the difference! [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Is GC finally selling new Wolfgangs in the stores now? I try to avoid the place, but if so I might go have a look.

[/ QUOTE ]
Haven't seen Wolfs, but I figured I could get one off of an Axis if they had a DTuner on it [img]images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]

gproud · 08-23-2004, 06:59 AM

I live in a little one horse shit hole island on the East Coast of Canada, and we have 3 music stores in town, and each one sucks!!! They have no good inventory, and what they do have is geared toward 13 year olds whose parents spend $1500 for a guitar and amp that will be sitting in a closet 10 months from now (not all 13 year olds; all you 13 year olds that practice your ass off don't get nasty at me). So they don't cater to guys who play for a living or like me who plays in a Weekend Warriors cover band for fun who spend $1500 a year on stuff. Not to mention our prices up here are outrageous compared to the States, so the crappy stuff (e.g. Marhsall 100 watt valve state head for like $1300) is even beyond reach. And don't even get me started on product knowledge. I consider myself fairly up to date on things, and I go in to one of the stores and ask if they have Blah, Blah, Blah and they look at me like I have 3 heads! Last but not least, I've walked out shaking my head I don't know how many times when I go in to purchase something specific, and they tell me they don't have it, and that I don't want it anyway, here's something better. F**K!. I have been playing for quite a few years, and nothing pisses me off more than some idiot trying to upsell me. They do that for strings for shit sakes and I've been playing the same strings for about 12 years. So I end up on Ebay all the time trying to find good gear for a decent price. I can't even order from the States most of the time because it cost too goddam much to ship anything up here. That's why I have a Marshall JCM600 combo right now. I would love to get my hands on a JCM900 or a 5150, but you just can't get them around here for decent price. Anyway, enough pissing and moaning. I just wanted to say I understand where you guys are coming from when you're complaining about GC. Cheers.

classalpha · 08-25-2004, 01:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
gproud said:
I live in a little one horse shit hole island on the East Coast of Canada, and we have 3 music stores in town, and each one sucks!!! They have no good inventory, and what they do have is geared toward 13 year olds whose parents spend $1500 for a guitar and amp that will be sitting in a closet 10 months from now (not all 13 year olds; all you 13 year olds that practice your ass off don't get nasty at me). So they don't cater to guys who play for a living or like me who plays in a Weekend Warriors cover band for fun who spend $1500 a year on stuff. Not to mention our prices up here are outrageous compared to the States, so the crappy stuff (e.g. Marhsall 100 watt valve state head for like $1300) is even beyond reach. And don't even get me started on product knowledge. I consider myself fairly up to date on things, and I go in to one of the stores and ask if they have Blah, Blah, Blah and they look at me like I have 3 heads! Last but not least, I've walked out shaking my head I don't know how many times when I go in to purchase something specific, and they tell me they don't have it, and that I don't want it anyway, here's something better. F**K!. I have been playing for quite a few years, and nothing pisses me off more than some idiot trying to upsell me. They do that for strings for shit sakes and I've been playing the same strings for about 12 years. So I end up on Ebay all the time trying to find good gear for a decent price. I can't even order from the States most of the time because it cost too goddam much to ship anything up here. That's why I have a Marshall JCM600 combo right now. I would love to get my hands on a JCM900 or a 5150, but you just can't get them around here for decent price. Anyway, enough pissing and moaning. I just wanted to say I understand where you guys are coming from when you're complaining about GC. Cheers.

[/ QUOTE ]Crikey!!! What a post!!! Now that's venting!!!! [img]images/smilies/devilchilli.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/rock.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/devilchilli.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/rock.gif[/img]

[img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

gproud · 08-25-2004, 02:56 AM

And it felt sooooo good to vent that. Whew!!!

VB · 08-25-2004, 06:11 AM

[ QUOTE ]
classalpha said:
Well a decade ago when I worked at GC I was hired specifically for my unsurpassed (at the time) product knowledge.

I didn't have much of a work history back then, and with my long, thick black hair, looking like a member (or resident) of "Skid Row" I didn't look at all employable... [img]images/smilies/icon_redface.gif[/img]
But the manager explicity told me at the interview that what they were looking from ALL their employees wasn't looks, but was someone who knew what the f*ck they were selling - for example- the salesperson knew what the actual difference betwen a phase shifter and a flanger was or had working knowledge of speaker impedances and what series or parallel wiring meant, etc.. Therefore the salesperson wouldn't steer the customer away from what they really needed or sell them something that would potentially damage the customer's existing equipment... causing warrantee nighmares for the customer, store and manufacturer. [img]images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/img]

But that was ten years ago, and what I've noticed lately is that old "store knowledgebase" ethic at GC is totally gone. [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img] I don't think however that GC *specifically* hires idiots who have no idea about equipment or instrument accessories to make it hard on the customer- I think it has more to do with the overall *Bilderberg sponsored* mass dumbing-down of society that is so prevalent today. [img]images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

It's also due to the corporate music industry-induced, subterranian-destined spiraling musical trends such as cRap, grunge and nu-metal, of which attract such musical illiterates who seek employment at GC and get hired because it's their angry, tatooed and pierced cretin, or "Blinked 169" geek looking co-horts who are the store's biggest consumer base, therefore the store has to cater to customers who buy products based on mass popularity rather than necessity or practicality... thus it eliminates the need for actual working knowledge of the product which is being bought or sold. [img]images/smilies/wutblau.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
I have to agree here. I work in a Vintage guitar shop thats been in business for 23 years. Not only are these peeps he described as ummmmmm"employees" equipment illiterate when they are at work, you should deal with them as a customer. Their idea of "vintage" is anything older than 5 minutes.They have no clue of what they are looking for and even less of an idea what money is. The only things they buy are whats been shoved down their throats by marketing and radio execs that seem to think "tone" is something that should annoy even the crustaceans of the world. It's really disheartening to see this happen to the musical community. As I read earlier, BRING BACK THE 80'S , at least they knew the difference between a Tuner and a tuna.
VGB