musicans.pro to learners do you shop at Guitar Center ?

[jdots]

I have been trying to check them out,it has nothing to do with the guys that started it in San Jose a long time ago.
#1 they killed off all the indy stores
#2 they made some special deals with who ever owns Fender this week and put the motion in place for slave made instruments and just about anything music related
yeah it's cheap,but if yo can find an indy music store,pay the extra bucks for the sake of music.
If you google them you come up with alot of complaints and a sad story about ties with Clear Channel.The tuff part is finding out what and who is behind them.It doesn't look good so if you have any inside info please post it.

[Ron Green]

1. I don't have any inside info, but it seems to be just another story of

big-box marketing and economy of scale. As long as people shop price alone, these places will push out the the independent retailers. I must confess I bought a 2X10" cabinet at a Guitar Center a few years ago, it being $100 cheaper than I could get it elsewhere. I knew exactly the model I wanted and I didn't need any service on it, so I thought, "Why not?" Looking back I wish I had supported an independently-owned store, but at the time the difference in price was a big thing to me.

[opiate69]

3. That's weird.. I've seen the exact opposite here in Washington..

I've been looking around for some new equipment, and so far a local shop in the Olympia area is beating Guitar Center's prices pretty much across the board.. for example, Epiphone "Pee-wee" starter kit at Guitar Center is $179.. $149 at the local store.. and Boogie Dual Rectifier 100 watt heads are $1599 at GC, but my local store has 'em for $1199.

[Ron Green]

4. Maybe here's what happened:

Guitar Center had rock-bottom prices several years ago when they were moving into markets (that was when I bought my speakers) and now that they have established their territories and pushed out some mom-and-pops they have brought their prices up.

Could have happened.

[opiate69]

6. Yeah.. that does make sense...

In any case, in January I'm gonna be flush with cash, and so far it looks like I'll be buying from Music 6000, and not GC....

[johnnie]

2. I shop there

Most of the salespeople aren't involved with the way the place is ran and they are just trying to make a buck. If you shop at an independent place you also run the risk of supporting some freeper shop owner.
I guess it isn't bad to buy from indy shops, but maybe going to the place and getting to know the owner there might be a good idea. It was sad seeing all my old haunts being taken over by the big companies, but I have most of what I need now and if I do go to guitar center it is usually to pick up something "on the fly". Things like a set of strings or a stand or something. If I purchase any more guitars or amps I might look into something else first before I go to GC. My amp was from a small shop and my main guitar was from a guy who just sells "vintage" guitars. I have bought guitars from GC before, but they were used.

[LifeDuringWartime]

5. no

ive never bought anything from guitar center. anything they have, one of the local stores also has or could order for me.

the big wall of ampeg cabinets and amps is fun though :freak:

[no name no slogan]

7. Once in a while

They're one of the few places locally that carries the strings I like on my electric/acoustic, and I hate to say it but I can always trust their pricing. If it's mass-market stuff that I can't order off the web, I'll get it there.

If it's a REAL instrument, I'll go to the local places.

[chaska]

8. These places have ruined it for me...

Back in the 80s (maybe the 90s too) when I wanted something I would get on the phone and call several places all over the country and I'd end up almost always getting 40% off, even something like a <$100 pedal, 40% off.

Try that now.

Nowadays, if I can't find it used (and cheap) on ebay I don't buy.