#1
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A safe experience buying used from GC
A lot of people love to hate Guitar Center.
But I've found buying used from them to be a really good experience. The prices are always much better than Reverb and it's safer than Reverb or eBay. Recently I helped a friend buy a used guitar from a remote GC store and get it shipped. Upon receipt, it was in much worse condition than described (amateur refinish job with drips and awfulness plus a bad ES2 pickup system). So we drove to the nearby GC store, asked to make a return. They did ask if we wanted them to take a look at it or see if they could help make it better and we said "no thanks we just want to return it." They didn't challenge anything and didn't even open the case. They just refunded the money fully, including shipment and we were out of there in ten minutes. I was so impressed with their "no questions asked" return policy. I felt totally safe in buying used from them and will totally keep doing so.
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Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter" Taylor GC7, GA3-12, SB2-C, SB2-Cp...... Ibanez AVC-11MHx , AC-240 |
#2
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Guitar Center policy is that you pay shipping if returned.
You did well not having to pay shipping. When I purchased a used guitar from them that was shipped to the store, I had to pay shipping when I declined to keep the guitar. I knew that up front and didn't have a problem with the policy.
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Happiness Is A New Set Of Strings L-20A |
#3
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It's good to see a positive post about GC for a change. I've always had good experiences with them. Not only in satisfied new purchases, but with no hassle returns such as yours.
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#4
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You don’t have to pay shipping if the guitar is not as advertised in any way, such as case missing, worse condition than indicated, wrong model etc., all of which I’ve experienced more than should have been.
The return policy is by far the best thing about GC, imo. |
#5
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I'd have to agree with GC's return policy being among the best things that they offer. It's a pretty good deal to be able to try out a used guitar for 45 days, get a real feel for the instrument and return it, with in my experience, no questions asked, if it doesn't "do it" for you. Shipping costs are for me generally about $20, I don't consider that top be too bad.
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#6
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I've bought a couple of used guitars from GC. I have them shipped to a location near me. It's hard to argue with a 45 day trial period and no questions asked return policy.
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#7
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The return policy is VERY nice but... thats not what people complain about. People complain because GC has terrible quality control. They are far from reputable when it comes to second hand online sales. The quality control when they buy the instrument is a joke. Then they are told to list the condition higher then they buy it at witch has been the case every time I have sold them anything.. Sure at least you can take it back to the local GC but what is your time worth? Its like playing the lottery.
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#8
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There's no shipping for used items if it's returned to a local GC, even if you did pay shipping to have it delivered there or your own address. They just re-list the item with the new location.
I agree the liberal return policy is a reason to look at their used listings. I'm starting my 3rd week of a "trial" purchase of a used acoustic guitar - something I would never had done with a typical online purchase return policy, if there even is one. Their shipping charges are really low, too, though you do have the risk that they may underpack or insure it, so picking up at a local store is what I always do. Any problems noticed, you don't even have to take it home, just get the credit back on the spot.
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |
#9
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I have no beef with GC, but when it comes to used stuff, their return policy is literally the ONLY reason I would consider them. Compared to Reverb, eBay, or CL, their prices are nothing special. Of course, it depends on what you're looking for, and how long you're willing to look.
My main issue, though, is that their item descriptions and photos are absolutely pathetic. Typically a single crappy photo that you can't zoom in on, and the only description of condition is a rating from "Fair" to "Excellent", with no specifics whatsoever. Not nearly enough info to make an informed decision, IMO. |
#10
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Quote:
But, yes, it's kind of a luck-of-the-draw thing. Still, that return policy, especially for a nicer acoustic guitar, is nothing to be sniffed at IMO/IME if they do have something that's interesting and fairly valued. (The guitar I have now was possibly undervalued for GC and certainly the condition was not overstated.)
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |
#11
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Quote:
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#12
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I've had two used purchases through GC. The first, a red label Yamaha FG150 and the other, a Genz Benz Shenandoah acoustic amp. Both were just as advertised. I later donated the Yamaha to a buddy of mine as I acquired a Martin D17-M that actually had the tone I was seeking.
Loved the convenience of shipping to the store and checking the goods out right there in case of any issues.
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2008 Takamine EG561c 2009 Yamaha CGX171cca 2009 Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Studio EC 2013 Taylor 214 2013 Martin D-17M 2014 Taylor 516e 2014 Taylor GS Mini Hog 2015 Taylor 324e 2015 Taylor 414ce-N 2015 Taylor Custom GA 12 fret 2015 Taylor 612ce 12 fret 2016 Taylor T5 Custom AA koa 2017 Taylor 712ce 12 fret LTD 2018 Taylor K22ce 12 fret LTD AA Koa 2019 Cordoba Master Series Hauser Ltd. |
#13
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Well, I don't know about that. I'd say they're comparable for used guitars. The problem with GC used gear is: the description is basically good, fair, very good, or whatever, but that's it. Hardly any description. Same with photos. Usually there's only one photo.
The return policy does sort of make up for that though. I bought a Gibson Songwriter 12-string from some out of state GC, had it delivered to my home. It was gorgeous, BUT the top center seam was seriously split. Took it to my local GC. They took one look at it - full refund! (I since got a superb, near-new Songwriter 12 from Chicago Music Exchange at a greatly reduced price. Keeper!)
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2018 Guild F-512 Sunburst -- 2007 Guild F412 Ice Tea burst 2002 Guild JF30-12 Whiskeyburst -- 2011 Guild F-50R Sunburst 2011 Guild GAD D125-12 NT -- 1972 Epiphone FT-160 12-string 2012 Epiphone Dot CH -- 2010 Epiphone Les Paul Standard trans amber 2013 Yamaha Motif XS7 Cougar's Soundcloud page |
#14
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Quote:
I do like that I've been able to find a few boutique guitar pedals there cheaper than the best price on reverb. |
#15
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Again, I had GC send a used guitar from an out of state GC to their store for me. I paid shipping.
The guitar was not as described. It needed a neck reset. I was refunded my purchase price but they kept the shipping fees. The guitar went right back up for sale on their used section online.
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Happiness Is A New Set Of Strings L-20A |