i used to know some one that worked at guitar center and hated it. the price he gave me where unbelieavable. keepin mind that this was 4 years ago;

delta 1010 $500 otd(out the door)
machiened alluminum volume pedal $30
3 sm57s 1 beta52 and 3 d'vises $300
dean markely pickup $30
fat 52 fender custom pickup set $60

i put this here because he no longer works there, there is a resone for that. this was cost and i wish he still worked there.

I got a Rode K2 for $550 after I brought in a printout from ebay with that price...

So far, I've paid whatever the lowest "legit" price was that I could find. Didn't even have to take anything in. Just called them on the phone, told 'em where the price was that I wanted, so they could check for themselves and - so far - they've called me back everytime with a "go".

Pair of new Groove Tubes GT44 tube mics, listing for $1,598, for $400.

I used to love Guitar Center, then some things happened.....I started noticing that everytime I went in there, even for a mic cable, it'd be at LEAST 45 minutes before I got out of there. Not to mention that the prices there are not in the least bit competitive. The only time I'll go there now is in an emergency situation, when I can't wait for things to be shipped to me. I really feel that the service there has gone downhill, it's really unfortunate becuase I'd ship there much more often!

I ditto backinthelab's comments. Guitar Center is only an option (and a bad option, at that) for me when I need something right now. My experiences there have always been less than impressive. I can't stand having to wait my turn (like backinthelab, typically 20-30 minutes EVERY TIME) to yell over some pimple faced kid trying out guitar/amp combos with the volume needlessly cranked to a sales rep that knows absolutely nothing about the gear he is paid to sell. I would much rather give a couple dollars more to a knowledgeable, reputable dealer knowing that I am taken care of before, during, and after the transaction. That typically isn't a problem, either, as I have a dealer who will often sell to me at cost, but will always, at the very least, price match.

I'm am in complete agreement with you guys. Guitar Center sucks but that's why I want this topic to stick around for a while :) So we can all go in there and KNOW how much to pay for stuff. Like the the two groove tubes mics for $400!!!! that's insane. I'd never think to ask that much for the. I've heard those are decent overheads. I think they used them on some of the tracks at TheListeningSessions.

Anyways, to keep this on track, here is my latest buy: Behringer T1953 for $129 out the door. not bad for stereo starved plate tube preamps in a pinch. I took it back after the session of course :) I also got a quote for two Oktava MC-012's, non matched, for $140. Still not as good as the two for $99 sale they had over a year ago though, but they hardly get these in anymore. Somebody else picked up a Groove Tubes Brick Preamp for $325 out the door. I'd love to pick up a couple of those and the groove tubes gt 44 mics for overheads! Keep it coming everybody! Level the playing field!!!

oh, i'll also ad that they didn't have the Studio Projects SP828 in but they said they could order one in for $525!

Aphid,

I'm the guy that gets everything cheap at Guitar Center.

I haven't paid full price on a single thing I've bought from them. My best deal so far (that I didn't take) was a Trident S20 for $759.84 out the door (brand new unit in a sealed box). That's $240 off of the price, but I decided against it because I've been told the unit isn't anything fantastic.

Right now I've been going through a haggle on an API 3124 which they have to special order. I have them pretty low, but I refuse say how low I get them out of respect for the pro-audio dealers affiliated with RO (just in case it comes up cheaper). I will say that they have NOT yet beaten the price of some of the audio dealers around here. So I might end up purchasing one from one of the audio dealers that advertise in RO.

thanks "therecordingart" :)

So how do you usually handle yourself. Do you just go in and low ball them or do you get some numbers from other places to back yourself up? Do they generally price all their stuff with a formula, like 50% above cost?

It would be nice that somebody published some sort of Blue Book value index on gear, new used and beat up!

I haven't bought used gear yet, but will soon have to if I want some classics.

Basically....I'll find a piece of gear that I like, research it, find out the cheapest price for the gear NEW online. For example, a new Shure SM57 can be purchased for $89.99 + tax. I'll walk into guitar center and say I'll give you $70 out the door...it's a reasonable offer. If they say that they can't do it I'll mention that I'll be shopping around for my price. Normally the sales person will say something like "if you find it cheaper we'll price match." That is when you say "WHEN I find it cheaper I'm going to buy it from them." Now they know they've just lost your business and won't let that happen in most cases....especially if you are dealing with a manager. They want to make the most on an item, but will sacrifice profit for repeat business. You have to think that corporate fat cats want to see volume of business. (1000 units sold for $70 is better than 500 units sold for $89.99 with 250 sales lost to a competitor because you wouldn't cut a break).

It's pretty much common sense that if you make someone feel like they are getting something for nothing...they are going to come back again and again. Although Guitar Center doesn't make a lot of profit off of me....they have a high volume of sales from me. Management treats me like gold because I come in with cash, and I buy what I say I'm going to buy at the price I want it at. They don't argue because they know I'll be back for more, and I'm not asking for a price below cost. They aren't losing anything.

Now everyone knows me by voice over the phone, and I don't have to do any haggling unless it's a special order.

So...just keep your demands reasonable, work with an assistant manager or manager, don't be a dick...be a nice/cool guy, and if things aren't going your away be prepared to tell them you are going to shop around at their competitors...but do NOT say it threatening! Do NOT ask if they price match because then you aren't getting anything at a deal...and they now know they're out of the woods with cutting you a deal. They wont let a sale walk out the door...trust me....it's just like buying a car!

re

The other day my roomate went to get his first halfstack at GC and he wanted to get a GC card to put it on. He had a $1000 credit limit and could go over by a $100 if needed on the first use. So he's looking and sees a nice marshall head for $500 and then trys it through the cheap $400 cab and it sounds really nice, then my roomate wants to look at guitars and the salesman (an assistant mgr) grabs a used epiphone gibson lespaul limited edition with blue stain, (beautifal guitar) and my RM loves the guitar which used is $400 and after talking with the mgr (he knows me from what I have purchased from him before) my roomate walks out of the store with all 3 items for $1030 after tax (or something around that) thats a huge savings and he got it all for no intrest no payments for 12 months. I think that was a great deal. Plus (different time) My roomate needed a sm58 for band practice and I told him I could probably get a deal if he went with me, but I wasn't able to go so I just called up and a guy that I always work with in pro audio was there and I told him who I was and asked him if I could get a deal on an sm58 for my Roomate and he said sure and just told him who was coming in to pick up the mic and that was that. I got a K custom session crash for 169.99 when its normally 220. Check for good used stuff, I picked up a perfect beta 52 for $90 and a beta 56 for $60, I don't even think ebay it that cheap. plus I can get rid of my old crappy shit to them too. Probably my best deal I myself got was one day I went in to pro audio and told the guy I wanted a small set of monitors I could use to travel with that had a speaker cover (so the cones didn't get damaged) I told him I was going to spend $300 and he showed me what he had and then I saw the jbl lsr25p monitors and he plugged them in and I loved them. So I left that day with 2 brand new jbl lsr25p monitors normally 309.99 EACH (at most locations) for $300, thats a $320 savings. I love those monitors too. plus I don't know how much these usually are, I got a 16x4 50ft snake brand new from a special order for $200.

Does anyone do this at samash stores, I always hear stuff about GC but nothing about samash stores which are identical with a diff name and carry some different products, and oh yeah they suck ass compared to GC.

Bob

Sam Ash doesn't budge for me so I only went twice. Guitar Center is 2 miles from my house and Sam Ash is like 15 miles. One of the managers at Sam Ash used to be a manager at GC that I know. I told him that if he can do the deals I'd rather come to him because he is a good guy....he told me Sam Ash doesn't operate like GC.

i never bought anything at guitar center as i refuse to support wal mart like chain stores and prefer to support small buisnesses. i used to buy all my stuff form bobby neil at mannys then from bobbys shop when it was on 30th street. now that his store is colesed i work with tim finigan at dale he used ot be the guy at sam ash pro but then he moves

I would absolutely love to support small business people, but they only small music shop near me doesn't carry anything other than lots of used guitars and crappy PA equipment.

i'd love to support a small shop.... as long as it doesn't cost me anything :)

If you dislike Banjo Center then please share any steals you've gotten from them so we too can "stick it to the man"!

To keep things on topic, I'd like to say that I bought an Olympic ODSCE10 Acoustic from them for like $200 I believe when they had it listed for $350. I just brought a print out from a site that I think is now defunct and they matched it right then and there.

Now the funny thing is, I build sites for a living. I could have easily just created my own site with whatever price I wanted and handed it to them because they didn't even look it up.

sdelsolray wrote: Pair of new Groove Tubes GT44 tube mics, listing for $1,598, for $400.

You too? :D I thought that was a deal I could NOT pass up, too! The Brick and GT-55 for $499 was not to shabby, either!

I like the fact that I can walk into my local GC with a cracked cymbal (under 1 year old), and swap it out "on the spot" for a new one. Not many "Ma & Pa Shops" could do that. $20 extra bucks, and you have a 2 year warranty on a CYMBAL!!! That is one warranty policy I will ALWAYS come out ahead on! ;) . Having 2 or 3 of most cymbal lines to "choose from" (sound test them) is also a HUGE plus (They will usualy have 2 of EACH MODEL + Size - if not more on hand).

Aside from that, I can walk on in, and get fantastic prices on pracitcally anyting I need in a pinch, and it is IN STOCK. They pull up my account, see my history, and they are at my command. Its like I'm the boss (well, I know the regional Drum Manager, and that does not hurt, either). I'm gona try my luck at another KM-184 tomorrow. If they can do $565 or better, they will get my cash, and I'll have my mic "in hand".

As long as you know what to expect, and you have done your research, GC is not all that bad. NOW, if you are an un-informed customer who is relying on the GC salespeople for advice on how to spend YOUR money - that is a bit foolish IMO... I'm pretty well covered.

:cool:

My friend who just quit guitar center told me that if you don't have the preferred player guarantee, they wont even LOOK at any broken/damaged/faulty equipment

Hmm. The cymbal scernario I mentioned above took place TODAY! They SWAPPED IT OUT for a NEW ONE w/o any hassles (I DID NOT have the extended warranty on that cymbal, and it was 10 months old). I mean this just happened like 12 hours ago.

ON TOP of that, I ordered a replacement part for my Snare Stand, and I left a $10 deposit. Well, GC ended up getting the part for FREE (Gibraltar is pretty cool about that - even on a 6 year old snare stand). Did they KEEP my $10? Nope. I got a full refund on my $10 deposit, AND I got a free part!

I was in such a good mood after that, I was singing at work all day long!

I guess my fantastic experience is very unusual? ;) . Maybe my Positive Mental Attitude has something to do with it? PS - This was some new drum guy I had never dealt with before, too. Very courteous IMO. He actually chased me out into the parking lot as I was leaving - just to tell me he found the Free replacement part, and to give me my $10 back! The guy I usually deal with was off today (been there for 3 years).

:cool:

RE CYMBAL REPLACEMENT

I like the fact that I can walk into my local GC with a cracked cymbal (under 1 year old), and swap it out "on the spot" for a new one. Not many "Ma & Pa Shops" could do that. $20 extra bucks, and you have a 2 year warranty on a CYMBAL!!! That is one warranty policy I will ALWAYS come out ahead on! . Having 2 or 3 of most cymbal lines to "choose from" (sound test them) is also a HUGE plus (They will usualy have 2 of EACH MODEL + Size - if not more on hand).

I guess it depends on the gc you go to because I bought 2 cymbals from them (with the perfomance guarantee) and 4 months later one of my cymbals broke and I was expecting to walk in there to get and just get a new cymbal, but no when I went in there the guy told me that I needed to call some number and they will process it and that I didn't even need to come in to the store, so I was pissed and called the number and they needed to process the contract and they told me over the phone they would call me back withing 24-48hours to tell me where to send my broken cymbal to. 3 freakin days go by without hearing from them, so I call them up and they say, Take your cymbal to the closest ups store so I took it there and waited for about 2 weeks and then called them up and they said they were looking over the product and then they would send me a refund check (only to be used at GC by the way). Here I figured I would be getting a cymbal back by mail that I got on sale for really cheap, but no I was getting a god damn check. And the shitty part is that it took about a month and a half to get the check and that pissed me off and when I went to use it I had to wait about 30 minutes to try out cymbals on a kit. I really hate GC's drum department now, I will either go to my local percusion store or on my last purchase I spent $1100 on a new snare and the new 9002 pedals. too bad GC I guess that shitty service cost you lots of money.

The best deal I got out of GC was a pair of Oktava ML-52 ribbons for $200 each this spring. Not a gem of a mic, but a nice piece to have in the collection. They were too different to use as a pair, so I sold the darker mic on eBAY for $360. Makes the remaining mic REAL affordable!

If you get the extended warranty, unfortunately you DO have to deal with the company that issued the warranty :( . Just a few months ago, I called the Warranty Claim # for a cracked cymbal (18 months old). This was obviously out of the factory warranty reguardless. (The cymbal I mentioned in my earlier post did NOT have the Extended Warranty - so they swapped it "on the spot").

The Insurance company called me back a day later, and told me to simply DROP off the cymbal "as-is" (I DID NOT even have to box it up - this is ALL handled by the warranty claim people). I dropped it off at my local UPS store (about 2 minutes from my house), and then I had to wait for 2-3 weeks. I got a check for $202 - and granted this check MUST be spent at GC - but where else am I going to find a huge selection of cymbals so I can try tons of different ones? I REFUSE to spend $200 on an INSTRUMENT that I can't compare to at least 2-3 others.

I saved $202 just by waiting a few weeks. I have 2 cymbals that "rotate" into my setup, so even IF I have 2 cymbals out for "warranty" - it does NOT affect my kit :) . I usually go through crashes in a little OVER a year - so this is REALLY a no-brainer for me. I have saved well over $500 so far (opposed to having to REPLACE the cymbal out of my own pocket). I guess there IS something to be said for "instant gratification" - but I am patient.

It seems that my extremely good experiences really ARE unique to me? I'm surely happy :D . I guess I'm very lucky. Thank you , Lord ;)

:cool:

I haven't bought much at Sam Ash, but the last thing I bought was a set of BX5 speakers. They are 299.99 + tax anywhere in the universe; including at the guitar center a block away, so while looking at them, I just said GC was gonna give them to me 299 out the door, and the salesman had no problem doing it.

I work at a major electronics store, and it's pretty sick how much mark-up there is on home-audio speakers. you can really take 60% off any price, and that is the "cost". I bought a set of Polk rm7200 surround sound speakers 2 years ago that retail for 1299.99+tax, for something like 520 with tax and delivery...through dealer accomodation of course... im assuming all speakers in general share this markup... just like the 4x12 cabinet mentioned earlier.

I saw today that GC had a pair of KRK powered monitors for $299. Somebody holler if they get a pair for cheaper or if they are crap!

jcnoernberg wrote:
I work at a major electronics store, and it's pretty sick how much mark-up there is on home-audio speakers. you can really take 60% off any price, and that is the "cost". I bought a set of Polk rm7200 surround sound speakers 2 years ago that retail for 1299.99+tax, for something like 520 with tax and delivery...through dealer accomodation of course... im assuming all speakers in general share this markup... just like the 4x12 cabinet mentioned earlier.

I take it you probably work at Circuit City huh? When I worked there we had a book of products and the prices the employee can get them for through the manufacturer. At the time I was a car audio/video installer and decided to pimp my car.

I bought a $700(retail) subwoofer amp for $185 brand new with an extended manufacturers warranty. I ended up buying about $6,000 (retail) of car audio components for about $2500!

Over the last year, I've put together a little home studio. When I was putting together my taxes this year, I priced out all the gear I got on Froogle, so I could get an accurate picture of what this stuff really goes for, not just retail. Well, I've SPENT about $7500 at Guitar Center. Had I not "had a guy" at GC, I would have spent between $9500 - $12,000. More likely the latter as I don't generally buy from ebay.

The only way I could get a better deal anywhere is, working at GC or from a guy in a dark alley. Before I go, I know what the lowest on the internet is. Then, I'm shown what the minimum is, and that's usually what I pay. Unless I have a lower price froogled, then they match. My 57s were $65 ea. because that was the lowest ebay had as NEW. My Les Paul was less new at GC, than used on ebay. If I sold my new mixer on ebay used, I'd make $300. My 8 channel TRS snakes were $13.00 ea, and weren't the crap stuff. I paid $289 for DP4.52. My Mbox was $300.

Guitar Center is great, as long as you know what you want, and don't have questions. But, you can return anything.

Just get to know somebody. Otherwise Froogle is king, price match and buy it minus tax with free shipping online. Sometimes, that's the deal.

I apologize if this has already been stated, but buying mics in particular from GC is kinda dangerous. For example, Oktava is know for their bad Quality Control. Places like The Sound Room go through and weed out the bad mics and these bad mics goto places like Guitar Center where they can be sold for so much less because they basically are defective/sub-standard units. I'm not saying you can't get a good deal, but you better be sure you aren't being ripped off in these types of cases, it may hold true for other equipment as well.

1000 units sold for $70 is better than 500 units sold for $89.99 with 250 sales lost to a competitor because you wouldn't cut a break.

That's not necessarily true. 1000 sold at $70 is only better than 500 sold at $89.99 if the cost on them is about $50, which I'm fairly certain it's not. Still, if the price was above cost I'd be surprised if they wouldn't match it, as they really don't offer much in the way of value so price is about all they have to go on.

Do they generally price all their stuff with a formula, like 50% above cost?

I'm not sure if they have a general formula, but aside from things like cables I'm sure their markup is way less than 50% above cost on pro audio stuff.

If you dislike Banjo Center then please share any steals you've gotten from them so we too can "stick it to the man"!

If you really dislike them and want to stick it to them, then buy elsewhere. Buying from them...even if you're getting a proverbial "steal"...is still giving them business.

Now the funny thing is, I build sites for a living. I could have easily just created my own site with whatever price I wanted and handed it to them because they didn't even look it up.

I'm sure they would have looked it up in a hurry if they were actually losing money on the sale.

-Duardo

They have a minimum sale price on their computer screen. I heard a sales guy and a manager discuss that once when they were struggling to get a transaction entered (which seems to happen pretty often there).

gc

hi, i work at gc, and it has been quite interesting reading everyones comments. yes, gc is absolutely "the man," and we should stick it to this proverbial man as often as possible. we do not walk deals, ever. we do price match, but were also commissioned sales people. some of us know what we're talking about, and some don't. as far as im concerned, the easier the sale, the easier the discount. it sounds like you "pros" know exactly what you need, there are no two hour discussions on the right piece, therefore, discounting is relatively painless. i must mention, however, that the markup is nowhere near 50% on any product, it really varies. so, i guess the moral of the story is that we deserve to make money. dont come in, ask a million questions and expect something for free. come in, knowing what you want, and although it wont be free, if you ask nicely, you will get your deal, and we can all stick it to the man.

If I know exactly what I want, I don't waste a sales-guy's time - I'll order online. If I want to see, feel, hear something, I'll go to a local store (might be GC) and check things out. If I end up buying something, I'll talk the price down as much as I can, but I will buy from a sales person who has been helpful knowing full well that I could probably get it cheaper online, but would not have benefited from the one-on-one. I appreciate service and am willing to pay for it - price negotiation is part of the game, and how far it goes is basically up to you (IMHO).

hey tringlesceo, welcome to RO! A guitar player I know has been made manager of the GC I go to and I tell you, its great! they have the discrertion of matching whatever price is out there- I came in with an Ebay quote for a K2 for $550 and walk out with my K2 for $550-
A few days before I had gone to another GC and the clerk there gave me an attitude like- 'hey we don't match e-bay'- I tell you, there is nothing like getting to know your people-

man, i hope i don't start a flame war but....

Guitar Center and Walmart are big companies. Smaller companies can't compete at the level they do. In fact, the minute Walmart creates a music store or carries stuff better the "First Act", they will probably run Guitar Center into the ground too. Big fish eats the little one.

To support a small business that can't give you the same prices is insane unless its like mercenary audio where they give you INCREDIBLE support and knowlege.

I give props to Guitar Center, over other big companies like Walmart, because they are big but they are extremely negotiable and accomidating despite that fact. 10 times more so than Mars Music, which WAS the walmart of music equipment, and the proof is that fact that Mars had to close its doors.

The only other store I spend more money at is Fry's Electronics, another invaluable resource (especially on Fry-days). Both are a tribute to modern day commerce!!!

One thing that annoys me about Guitar Center, however, is their radio ads and marketing in general. Every weekend seems to be some sale that I can't miss. I always have a sucker friend calling me up wanting to go because he "can't miss this sale". Only occasionally do they ever actually have someting "on sale", like when they had the fabled oktava mk012's for $99 a pair, and you really have to go up there once every couple weeks to catch those.

In closing, small business can sink or swim for all i care. i don't work to support for-profit charity cases. I'll shop there if its Mercenary Audio or they have something I can't get else where or for cheaper.

I'm a consumer first, by golly, and i'm not responsible for their poor business skills!

Actually I buy a lot on line from independents that sell on evilbay- once in a while though I do go to GC and usually I end up buying something- The most i bought in one day at GC was one 4th of July when I bought a pair of monitors, a martin guitar a bass and a bunch of odds and ends, cables and the such- poor visa!- they do blow things away on July 4th and if you don't want to spend a lotta dough stay away on that day...

i buy from evilbay alot too. i, unfortunatley, used to use paypal to pay for everything though. i got ripped off by a guy last december and paypal wouldn't get the money back for me. i then called visa and they charged back on paypal. now paypal is threatening to send the negative balance to collections and completely ruin my credit score! bastards! they're user agreement pretty much waives the credit protection you would normally have with a credit card. on the bright side though they just lost a class action suit for 9.25 million dollars for people who signed up between 99 and 2004. the court shredded their current user agreement. i'm still looking into that.

wow- keep us posted on that one

I work at a Sam Ash and I want to echo tringleceo's comments above. He works at GC, which is basically the same thing as Sam Ash. I've been a customer of both, and this Sam Ash job came around at the right time for me so I took it. But as far as I can imagine, he must deal with the same crap I do... people want to come in there and expect me not only to help them figure out what they should buy, but they also want me to teach them how to set everything up, route their gear, record, mix, and master too.... then after a grueling hour (or more!) of my time they then want to haggle with me and get their gear at Sam Ash's cost?!!! Do you know what that means?? It means I will end up getting NO commission!! Now why in the HELL would you expect me to agree to that?!

Now, on the other hand, if you've done your homework and actually know what you want, or maybe have it narrowed down to two options, and a sale with you will amount to a mere 10 minutes of my time, I would be GLAD to give you a discount. I'm in sales, but I still want to support my fellow audio professionals. Otherwise, if you think the sign out front says "Sam Ash Recording School" then I will be happy to find the perfect DAW or P.A. system (or whatever) for you... just don't even THINK about haggling with me... I EARNED that commission! :p

-Church

you tell 'em, church. the only thing worse than a time gremlin is a cheap time gremlin. by the way, gc is far superior to sam ash...lol

heheh, good to know. I generally have a good idea of what i want and how it works. i'll have to remember to come in and try to buy things in record time :) thanks for the tips! keep them coming!

Chris