Guitar Center / Musician's Friend

[WickedWishes]

I belong to a few guitar forums, and it seems prevalent that a thread will eventually appear with comments about "Guitar Center" and "Musician's Friend", both showing comments being pro and con for each entity.

I myself have purchased guitars from both entities, and from personal experience I do not have a problem with either.

Sooooooooo,....

Yer probably wondering where I'm going with this topic.

Well.......for those that didn't know,......"Guitar Center" owns "Musician's Friend".

It is my understanding that when "Musician's Friend" receives a return, (for what ever the reason), those returns that cannot be construed as "NIB" ends up at a "Guitar Center" outlet for sale.

I am not making any acusitory statements, matter of fact it is a good business plan.

BUT,....caveat emptor,........(buyer beware)

I have heard many horror stories (none substantiated) about purchases at "Guitar Center" (IE), no warranty card, no original boxes with matching serial numbers, missing cables, etc,...etc.

I bought my Takamine at a "Guitar Center", the salesman was very considerate, and helpful. He listened to my requirements and then he suggested a few models that I should play. No pressure, just a very laid back kewl guy. I knew my Takamine was brand new, and not a recent return for it had all proper paperwork, tags, and had that (ahem) new guitar smell.

*S*

I bought my Epi-LP Standard from "Musicians Friend", (along with my Marshall Amp and related electric guitar accessories). All were delivered in original boxes, well packed, and no shipment damage. I knew what I wanted, and ordered same. No hassels, no problems.

*S*

Maybe I am just a lucky buyer, but again I openly and honestly state that I have no problems with either "Musicians Friend" or "Guitar Center".

But,...when buying ANYTHING,...know what you want, what to expect, and examine your purchase very closely, (if possible) and make sure there is a reasonable return period if dissatisfied. (for what ever your reason may be),( Which both "Guitar Center" and
"Musicians Friend" have excellent return policies as well as excellent price guarantee policies BTW),....*S*

Again,....Caveat Emptor

Just a FYI to all the members of this Forum.

Your ol' 'onery red-neck consumer advocate

LMAO

^5 ya'll


WickedWishes

[Ol Geezer]

Nice piece, WW!

Remember, all, that because they have those lenient return policies it means some gear will have come back. But always stand up for your rights to purchase "new" if you're paying for new.

Musician's Friend has done great by me, even replacing a guitar that had been damaged in shipment.

On the other hand, I've had a few bad experiences at Guitar Center in Lawndale, California; here are two examples with something represented as "new" that wasn't:

I bought a pro soundcard that I spent a month trying unsuccessfully to get to work until I learned from the manufacturer that it had been returned defective to GC then repackaged and sold to me as new.

Another time, I was looking at a dbx compressor that was "the last one in stock" and on the floor, and when I asked if they had the carton and such if I were to buy it they brought out a box with no cable and a photocopied instruction manual. That time, I passed....

[CAFeathers]

I have had excellent experiences at both MF and GC. One thing I do not like about GC is if a guitar comes from a guitar company with a case, it is seperated from it and sold to you seperately, And the case candy is always missing.

[ZacAttack]

I hear ya CAFeathers, thats not cool at all. The only prob I have had with GC is when I bought my RP I got like 10 mins away from the store and opened the box plastic and all. ( I was not driving ) The power suply was missing. Kahn and NJ were both with me and were like. Those Bas***ds! We went back all ready for a hassle but there was none. They just gave me another one and made sure it was all there. If I had gotten all the way home first it would have been worse.

Oh yeah the store credit thing. I had recieved several gift certificates one year for my B-Day ok I didn't spend it all at once and they guy said I had store credit. It was little more than enough for a pack of strings and I should have just gone that way but. Ok so the guy says its in the computer you dont need anything just come back and say your name and there your creds will be. I came back, and at first, the guy could not find my creds. I was just about to start getting pissed (over 7 bucks lol) when the dude figured it out. My name was in there like 3 times, and the creds were on one of the other name entries. But to make it cool he gave me like three 12 packs of my favorite picks for free.

[wierdsley]

Hey Guys...I have purchased guitars and equipment from both Guitar Center and Music. Friend and have had no problems. I agree that it is a buyer beware world out there no matter where you shop for things. I have also had no issues with the slaespeople at the Guitar Center in CT or in MI when I have had reason to shop there. Some know more than others do about the stuff they sell but they all leave me alone until I need them for something...that is my idea of a good salesperson!

[Ol Geezer]

I had the best experiences with the salespeople at my old Mars store. They had actually worked with the gear they were selling, and remembered what I had and what I'd bought so they'd ask how it was working out and could make recommendations when I was ready to get more. Plus, the same guys were still there the next week if I came back with questions!

[flyv]

i bought a refurb l.p. standard thru m.f. and have been very happy with it,no problems at all and i saved about $200 plus tax.it came very well set up to play tho i eventually tweaked it a little anyway.

[wierdsley]

Hey Ol Geezer...I have to agree with you that a music shop with employees who are there for a while and who remember their customers is a great place to shop. There is a shop in my town that I first started to frequent over 35 years ago. It has since moved 3 times but remained in town and the guy who owns it and his sons are always really good to me when I stop in for strings etc. They only carry a limited variety of guitars and amps but their prices are good and their service is the best! Guitar Center and the other mega stores have their market share and I shop at them but nothing beats the personal service of a smaller family oned shop.