I mentioned in another thread somewhere that I had a not-so-great experience at GC when I bought my last bass. Long story short, they sold me a floor model that was hanging on the wall. Luckily I decided to do my own set-up on it not long after buying it, because when I did, I discovered the truss rod nut was stripped.
Now GC did take the bass back, no questions asked. And they did order me a new one straight from the manufacturer/distributor. So that’s cool, but IMO they shouldn’t’ve sold me (or anyone) that bass in the first place. I also found when I got the new bass, still in its original box, that it came with stuff I didn’t get the first time (Alan wrenches, manual, etc.).
This all left a bad taste in my mouth and really made me wonder and think. Now I don’t have much experience with GC or similar stores, so maybe this was an anomaly.
For those of you with more experience, when you buy an instrument from GC and similar stores, are they selling you a legit new instrument/amp, or are they selling you one off the floor/wall? That first bass was a floor model, so I was basically paying for a new instrument while getting a used instrument. There certainly wasn’t any markdown for the fact others had played it before. Anywhere else where you buy a floor/demo model of something, there’s a markdown, but not at GC it seems. But maybe this isn’t the case, and I just went to a bad GC.
So when you go to buy a “new” bass at GC, are they (usually) selling you a new one, from the back, or are they selling you one off the wall that other customers have done who knows what with? Now I’d assume GC would say those are good as new because people are supervised, but that obviously isn’t true in all cases as someone was able to strip the truss rod on that bass with no one at GC (presumably) knowing.
Or is this something everyone knows about and hence don’t buy from GC? Curious what people with more experience have to say.
If you want good service go for SweetWater especially anything over $400 as they do the 55 point inspections. It’s more for them but you are benefit from that too. They are also give you tech support, and 2 year warranty, that’s cool. That said, they are not the best price unless it’s a nation wide manufacture sales.
Guitar Center/ Musician’s friends are the same company and they are offering the best price and 45 days no question ask return. Before you buy pickup the phone or email them you can usually get at least 10% new stuffs, so equivalent to no tax and free shipping. No discount, no free shipping or bargain on Used but the shipping price is really low. I bought a used Roland Stage piano with heavy duty stand and the shipping was $30. If you find something and could get the discount let me know, I connect you with my rep.
If you are anywhere near California, in your case Seattle, right? then Check out Pitbull audio/ Music store live. They are here in SoCal, super fast shipping. If I order something in the morning, I usually get it the next day. You can call them up too their discount is pretty good about 15-18% and they carry some high end brands. I’ve never had a bad experience buying from them.
You might want to try FretNation (same city as Pittll audio) as well, super high end stuffs and you can email Jason, he usually gives you some good deals. I bought 2 German Warwicks from him in one week., one he personally dropped it off at my house. What a guy!
Wow, thanks for all this! Such great information! I’m familiar with Sweetwater, but I didn’t know about the two California stores you mentioned. Definitely going to check all these out and keep an eye out for deals. Really appreciate the time you took to explain all this.
I have never purchased a bass from Guitar Center that did not come off the wall. Not that I prefer it that way, it’s just never not been that way.
Now, that said, my local Guitar Center is rad, and I take lessons there, so the management and employees have familiarity with me, and they have gone above and beyond to work with me on my buys and buybacks.
But if I wanted the “new bass purchase experience”, from the unboxing on up to the rumble of that first open E, I wouldn’t buy from Guitar Center in person. I’ve heard Sweetwater is RAD, and I know from experience that Pitbull Audio is great as well.
For mail order, I tend to Sweetwater; there are others that are good but the 2 year warranty is nice and no one is better. I once bought a bass from Sweetwater, when I got it the preamp didn’t work, and the return was pretty hassle free.
As far as the Allan wrenches, I have a drawer with little baggies with wrenches. Get one every new bass. Only need one set, ask for them I am sure GC has a bunch in back.
Thanks for this. It confirms my suspicions. Now at least the GC I bought my bass and amp from were very good about taking a return due to damage to the instrument (I assume from customers messing with it). But the fact remains that shouldn’t be an issue one has to deal with when buying a “new” instrument.
Oh yeah, for sure. I have multiple sets of Allan wrenches. It’s more the principle of the thing and my wondering what else I didn’t get that I should have. Now the amp I got did come sealed in the original box. But yeah, that original bass came right off the wall.
Another bummer with the whole experience was the original bass had a jatoba fretboard, which I really loved the look of. The replacement (although the same model) had a rosewood fretboard, which although it plays fine, isn’t nearly as attractive IMO. But at that point I wasn’t going to complain about that and deal with the hassle of another replacement, even if they’d been willing to do that.
Yeah, Sweetwater is awesome. I used to live about a 20 minute drive from them. I’ve had multiple friends that work there, and every experience I’ve had with them is top notch. In the future I will likely go to GC to try gear out, and then order it from Sweetwater.
It’s not been uncommon for many GC stores to sell demos as new. If they try that with someone I would ask for a significant discount on the demo. If they refuse which in some cases is likely then insist on a new one in the box even if they have to order it.
I’ve often bought open box products online but when I do I’m getting at least a 20% discount from MSRP or more and the same warranty and return or exchange privileges I would get on a new item. I’m just taking a little used item off their hands on which they make a little less profit.
Yeah this is my view exactly. They should either give you a discount, or give/order you a new one. And you shouldn’t have to ask for that. I’m sure many unwitting customers are taken advantage of this way. Just another reason to avoid buying from the chain stores.
Yes, I LOVE this. I would probably order the lightest version they have of the bass I want. Is that what the rest of you would do, or is there perhaps a tonal benefit to having a slightly heavier bass? (From what I’ve seen, the difference usually seems to be only a few ounces.)
Although I’m sure that’s true to some degree, they also have a company culture and standard training practices. I’d be willing to bet their SOP is to try to sell floor models unless the customer requests otherwise. I’ve been to a number of guitar centers myself, and I haven’t noticed any significant difference among the ones I’ve been to.
I’ve bought from Sweetwater and the experiences have always been positive.
But I have made many more big ticket purchases (think basses) with Pitbull Audio, and they have been fantastic. Free shipping, no sales tax, quick delivery and killer selection of products. What’s not to love?!
One thing I believe we all try to do here and on other forums is to offer some suggestions for how to deal with a GC store or other online dealers. Most will discount from list price but you have to ask. Most will also price match another dealers offer but again, you have to ask. If they won’t discount or price match just know there are many other dealers who will. It’s a competitive marketplace.
That’s really good to know, and something @Al1885 clued me into too. I had no idea that was a thing before coming on this forum. You all are SO hopeful, and I really appreciate it! I’ll definitely do what I can to help others out, once I know what I’m talking about.
