Guitar Center Reviews

Boise Idaho beware. I purchased guitar from guitar center for $2000 (w no discounts), within two weeks, I saw the exact guitar for $100 less (online) at Guitar center. I live out of town and so I called. Evidently they do everything possible NOT to give you this discount! I have purchased many guitars from Guitar Center and now they have lost my business forever. The salesman over the phone said I could come in within 45 days to get my discount, because he verified it, but when I called before leaving.

Guitar Center was unable to match me with a suitable, in-person instructor for lessons. I paid for my lesson package in-full prior to meeting with an instructor, but the only instructor provided was not a good fit. I asked for either a new instructor during my availability, or the refund for all remaining lessons. Guitar Center could not accommodate my schedule, and it would not refund any amount. Guitar Center offers a 45-day money back guarantee on instruments, but nothing on lessons - You will be stuck with whatever they give you - buyer beware!

I placed an order for two speakers mid October, at $269.99 each; After a week or so, I still couldn't see any dispatch notification, so I called up, and was told they went out of stock. I was expecting it in two business days. Fine. On Black Friday, I thought I'd give it another try, and the online chat told me they have them in stock at $349.99 each, with 15% Black Friday discount, which amounts to $297.49 each, which is still nearly $30 more expensive than my previous unsuccessful order. I hence asked why and whether they could honor my previous order price, but was told no, because my previous order was 'clearance' item, and the current ones are 'brand new'. I went back to my email looking for words indicating they weren't 'brand-new', but couldn't find anything indicating 'non-brand-new' products. This is just straight dishonest. I will not bring business to a dishonest merchandiser like this any more.

Last Friday afternoon, I bought a used Fender Stratocaster from guitarcenter.com. On next Monday of my purchase, I received an email about the verification of my credit card transaction and they told me to call my bank whether everything is alright or not (there was no problem with my credit card at all). After a few hour of verification, my order's status has changed to 'backordered'. Then I called the store which they had the used gear, and the guy said we sold it in store on Saturday and the stocking manager works on weekdays that's why they did not update the stocks. Since they did not update it, they didn't leave any note on the guitar to prevent in-store customers to buy it. The thing is I BOUGHT the gear before the in-store customer.

Ordered a guitar on the website, it said in stock and will ship out same day. NOT TRUE! After waiting several days for an email saying it has shipped, I called and asked if it has shipped yet. Got a guy whom I couldn't understand and he says it MIGHT ship out tomorrow... They don't have it in their store... But they sure took my money out of my bank! This is not the first time they have done this to me. If they say it's in stock I wouldn't believe it. Try Sweetwater music for your next order, they seem pretty honest and it's probably going to be cheaper as well.

I ordered a bundle of 3 sets of guitar strings + a tuner from their website. After a month, they cancelled my order. They claimed that they were out of stock, even though they were clearly selling both the strings and the tuner. They refused to fill the order, but offered to sell me the same items individually at a higher price. In response to a Better Business Bureau complaint, they promised to "have an agent reach out to assist you with a resolution," but nobody ever contacted me.

I went to the Guitar Center in Palm Beach on Okeechobee Florida to sell or trade my gear. They claim they give top dollar for trade-ins. Well guess what? They cut my price by more than half. I looked on their showroom floor and saw the same system on the floor in worst condition. May I say mine is fairly new. List at $1,299 for each unit but offered me $550 per unit. Worst than car dealers.

My goal is to guide other buyers when purchasing at Guitar Center. My son (drummer) and I went to visit the store in Paramus NJ, he saw a drum set on the floor that he really like being sold as a floor demo. I know it's considered used and warranty could be limited, I get it. The issue is that after we paid and went to picked it up, we were told that one of the items on displayed with the drum set, being essential to the unit was not part of the sale, even though it was displayed as part of the product with no label starting that it was not part of the deal.

Purchased a used guitar that was stated in ad to be in "good condition" but in reality was unplayable due to it's electrical components no longer functioning. Thus the price paid was not warranted by it's assertion that it was in "good condition" with their excessive shipping charges, my purchase was foolish via their invalid condition statement. Conclusion" "buyer beware" applies as Guitar sells over priced guitars via invalid sales information used to entice trusting consumers like me.

I placed an order for an open conga set and the sales rep lied to me, saying it was a whole set of 4 congas. I only received one conga. When I called customer services, they told me to return it and place a new order for the whole set, which I did. Only to be lied again with just one conga. Guitar Center is not to be trusted.

I ordered a Jackson guitar on the 6th of April, 2022. The guitar didn't ship out until the 11th for whatever reason even though it was in stock and it said it was being delivered the next day. The next day rolls around and it says it's "out for delivery" and I wait all day (I work from home) and no one showed up. I figured it would be delivered the next day. It didn't and each day it continued to say "out for delivery" and that someone "attempted to deliver" it at 10:41 PM each night. I called UPS and they told me that was weird since they don't even drive that late, let alone it being the same time every night. So eventually a few days passed of this mess and I go into the actual UPS center it's supposed to be at since I can't get anywhere with the guitar center people or UPS on the phone. They straight up tell me they do not have the guitar and they cannot find it in the warehouse or on any of the trucks.

I purchased several home recording studio equipment, along with the extended service warranties, during 2021. Well, a dynamic mic quit working properly after a few months. Giving mysterious latency and scratching during playback. Which wasn't the interface, nor the XLR cords. As we'd unplugged that mic, and then retested with a condenser, without hitch. Called GC to do a return/exchange with the dynamic, and they told me to 'come on in'. Well... the return didn't happen. They sent me back to Audio, instead of just refunding my money. And the Audio guy Jamie was rude as hell. Giving excuse after excuse that it 'wasn't his or their problem' and to contact the manufacturer. And then walked away. Lesson learned: DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM.

I’ve generally had good luck with the Natick Massachusetts Guitar Center. But not this time. In early January, I stopped in to buy a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. They did not have one in stock but they looked online and their Louisville KY store had one and they would ship it to my house at no additional cost. So far, so good. The guitar arrived and right out of the box there were some obvious set-up issues. The low E string intonation was off. There was pretty significant buzzing in the B and high E strings near the nut. The tremolo bar could not be inserted. These are the kind of things you would think the Louisville store would have checked before shipping the thing out. Apparently not.

I have ordered from Guitar Center multiple times and had no bad experiences whatsoever till I had to deal with a certain Guitar Center in Austin, Texas. So this is my review of that one particular store and the manager and employees there, not Guitar Center as a whole. They had a used Dave Mustaine Dean Angel Of Deth Vmnt listed for sale for $999. I called the actual store to inquire about the guitar because I kept trying to place order and it kept having an issue online. They said that they had the guitar available for purchase. I had to call the next day to place the order since they pulled the guitar off the shelf and placed it into the managers office tagged, at least that’s what they told me. They took my info for payment and shipping and said it was all good to go.

Guitar Center refused to accept my State Tax Exempt status - unbelievable! Guess I'll be buying from the other guitar outlets that do. I don't understand how this company can reject one's tax exempt status when other music outlets like Sweetwater, Reverb and many other larger companies don't have a problem!!

Bought a $32 book for Christmas gift, they would not exchange it after my kid saw it was the wrong one, just go to Sam Ash. Everybody way better customer service, I called their customer service line, it's in the Philippines, no help at all. I will repeat just go to sam ash.

On October 5th I visited The Guitar Center Danvers store to Trade in my Zildjian Custom A 17" crash cymbal for a Zildjian Custom A 16" fast crash. The 17" was in excellent condition, no key hole, and was never out of my house. The person who waited on me was not very knowledgeable. He kept complaining about the "system" not being accessible to get my trade in $ value. Finally after about 5 minutes he said " I'll have to go talk to my manager about this". He returned to me saying his manager could get onto the system either but would offer me $85.00 trade in. I definitely got screwed money wise. They also charged me $158.80 for the used 16" fast crash! Lesson: I will never do business there again, nor will I recommend Guitar Center to anyone. I should have gone to a Drum Shop.

The store swapped a price tag on a bass. Tried to charge me over 900 for a price tag that said 600.; The staff was belligerently rude. The associate called me a and I quote "Crazy **". They wouldn't give us the difference back until we told them the only option (other than giving us the difference) was a full refund. This was Guitar Center's mistake not mine and I was treated like a criminal for demanding respect. I come from a whole family of musicians and we have a HUGE network of people that will take their chances on reverb from now until guitar center goes out of business just like all the mom and pops they have ** over. Guitar center of new Orleans is comprised of people that treat others like they are human garbage. Zero stars is not enough. You deserve a negative rating. If you see this review do yourself a favor GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!

The mask mandate has been lifted in Evansville In by our governor and mayor. We go to restaurants, Walmart, other music stores but Guitar Center threw a fit about not having a mask. No exceptions. Really? But then what would I expect from a store that when I called to have a Gretsch 12 string repaired under warranty they also told me that unless I bought it there they will not work on it. I think there is a lot of ignorance going on. Besides mask work, right? So if they have their mask on then they are safe, right? I actually have a health problem wearing a mask most of the time. I have heart issues. So I am not allowed to go in there and buy a chord book for a 5 string bass? Cool, I can find them elsewhere I suppose.

I am a professional musician and run a studio in the Seattle area. I have used Guitar Center for years and have had mostly good luck, with the occasional hiccup. But two experiences in 2020 have caused me to black-list them. I will never do business with them again. First, in June 2020 I ordered a Martin 000-18 acoustic guitar, selling as brand new, and in stock for $2500, which is the going rate for that guitar. When it arrived , it was not in the original Martin shipping box (which was a clue of things to come). There was no paperwork (warranty, info etc) in the case. The case was banged up a bit, the metal runners were scratched (like the case was dragged on concrete), and the guitar itself had a whole host of issues. Mainly it was clearly used, covered in grime, the strings were dull and had belt-buckle rash on the back. There was not even an attempt to clean any of this up.

DO NOT BUY FROM HERE!! DO NOT BUY FROM HERE!!! Here's why.... I ordered an ovation guitar in November 2020 (back ordered) expecting it by Dec 31 2020. I had to call each and every month mind you, to find out anything about the order: we had not one single email, text, or update in anyway from Guitar Center! We'd call just to find out it was being pushed back later and later every time! Okay.... Then boom! Your order is cancelled out of nowhere! So again we call them because (we didn't cancel) to find out what was going on.... They had no clue as to what happened and would not even call to find out what was up! We ended up having to reorder the same guitar to "hopefully " receive this guitar by April this time because guitar center literally does not know what is going on with their supplier!! Or take the time to find out what is going on with their supplier!!

I was in the market for a new guitar, and saw on the website that they had what I wanted "in stock," AFTER SELECTING MY LOCAL STORE. So I drove there expecting to come home with it, only to be told that the website reflects warehouse inventory. So I ordered the guitar, and was told it would take 3 to 5 days to get here. On day 3 the order status was marked as backordered, even though the website still claimed it was in stock. Finally on day 5 it changed to processing. I called the store to try and get a skip date and was promised an email that evening. Email never came, and credit card was never changed.

You cannot trust Guitar Center’s online inventory status. I ordered a guitar three months ago. Still haven’t received it. What’s upsetting is that on any given day these past three months, I’ve seen the inventory status for this guitar on their website read, “In Stock and ready to ship.” REALLY? Where’s mine then? I’ve even added another one to my “cart” expecting a back-order warning before paying, but nothing. They’re baiting people into buying online with false claims of being in stock. And then they’ve got you waiting for months. Ridiculous. No wonder they’re bankrupt (financially and morally). I don’t mind waiting several weeks for a common, low-end $250 guitar, but had I known it was going to take MONTHS, I would have ordered from Sweetwater. Guitar Center’s business practices are highly deceptive. This will be my last purchase.

I bought a used guitar from them online at a great deal (a variax 500 for $300), and they emailed me a receipt saying it would arrive in 3-5 business days. I got the module needed for the guitar with the money I saved (a line 6 podxt for $200) from Reverb. The guitar never arrived so I checked my order status and it had been updated to “backordered.” I called Guitar Center customer service and they said the guitar no longer exists and they don’t know what happened to it, but they refunded my card. I can no longer return the module so I need a guitar I can use it with. Now I have to pay a lot more for a worse guitar (a variax 300 for $400) because the deal on the one that they actually didn’t have (again, even though it was posted online, they sent me a receipt saying it would arrive in 3-5 days, and hadn’t notified me of anything else by the time I checked on the order 2 weeks later) was once in a lifetime.

I ordered an amplifier online from Guitar Center, seemed easy enough. However I soon found that this amp was non existent and I couldn't get the deal. They tried selling me the wrong amplifier as a way to compensate for the mistake. Feels like a bait and switch situation.

Ordered a Piano on 18th Dec and with an offer of 15% off valid until 24th Dec. Provided credit card info and they a hold of the amount and I could see that in my transaction. Though it was back ordered, I was ok to wait for 2 weeks (1st week of Jan). Got mail on 27th Dec that need to update the payment method as it did not go through. I was surprised to see that, because the card had enough limit remaining and also they had a hold earlier. When I called them to give another card, they started the whole thing as if its a new order and removed the coupon. When I asked why not keeping the old order, they said coupon is its not available anymore and also no coupon applicable on a backorder. I was so pissed off because with the regular price I could have ordered from Amazon or elsewhere. If they don't accept coupon which is their's anyways, then why they took the order on first place. Such an unprofessional company. No wonder it's getting bankrupt.

My boyfriend and I had just walked in having just spent a lovely hour shopping in a different store (where no employees were masked or policing their customers). We then arrive at GC, in the middle of a great conversation, looking to buy an amp. My boyfriend was immediately accosted for not wearing his face shield correctly, and when he didn't immediately comply to their wishes, he was asked to leave, in a rude and forceful manner. I was shocked. I hope that this business trains their employees better, and that their customer service does not include humiliating grown men in front of other customers. What a shame! I expect better from a place I have spent thousands of dollars at. I will no longer shop here. What a costly mistake your employees have made.

Spoke to service (chat) after waiting 4 weeks for something I ordered to not show up. Their service stinks to put it nicely. It was a long wait, unproductive and I was told to call the store and figure it out. What company does that to an upset guest. Maybe the bankruptcy isn't due to Covid, look within at the way you handle major screw ups. Apparently now I am customer support and have to chase my own problem.

Bought a Taylor 214ce DLX acoustic guitar from Guitar Center, they shipped it to me, the bottom e string is buzzing, so they tell me they're going to charge to look at it and charge me to fix it! REALLY!!!! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN GUITAR CENTER, I'LL NEVER BUY ANYTHING, ANYTHING FROM YOUR COMPANY AGAIN, I'm sure you all know they're not cheap, this is WRONG what they're doing....

A few years ago I purchased a Yamaha CP4 Stage Keyboard from Guitar Center. Everything was great until a few months ago when some water got spilled on it and it started having a lot of internal malfunctions. To my relief, I remember that I had purchased Guitar Center's garbage Pro Coverage extended warranty when I bought the keyboard. And so the nightmare began. I called up my local Guitar Center and the sales associate told me to bring the keyboard in to the shop, and they would take care of it.

I made 2 separate purchases from Guitar Center. The first went so well, I decided to purchase the additional equipment that ended up being necessary a few days after receiving my first purchase. Biggest consumer mistake EVER. Apparently, Guitar Center doesn't like repeat business. I've been through SO much of a nightmare in the last 24 hours...WOW... I had put the same 1 day expedited shipping on the second order as I had the first one since it was definitely worth it and that was the only option that would fit my church's timeframe at this point. So I watched my email the following morning, expecting to see the same, "hey, we shipped your order" email as I got the first time. Instead, I got a duplicate email that said I had received my guitar. Well...DUH. I ignored it. No other correspondence. No phone calls. Nothing.

Worst customer service ever! I've worked for GC in the past, I've shopped at well over 20 different locations, never seen such inept mgmt. I called the store on 9/10 and was told both guitar models I was interested in were in stock. Came in the next day only to be told that they "both" must've sold out (In 24 hours). I had them order one of them for me and was told it would take 3-5 days.

With the help of online support, I purchased a bass guitar as a birthday gift with the intention on picking it up that day via curbside pickup. I was never contacted alerting me the bass was ready for pickup. On the following day, I received an email stating the bass was "shipped" and would be at the store in 5 days. I contacted the store and asked if the bass was available there, to which they replied, "yes". I asked if I could pick it up and they could replenish their stock with the one that was to arrive a week later (arriving AT THEIR STORE, not my home). I was told "no" and in fact, would have to purchase yet another bass AND once the shipped bass arrived, apply for a refund, and wait 3 to 5 days for the refund to process.

I purchased a Gibson Les Paul Standard ‘60s in-store on 9-19-20. The guitar was made in August 2019 and had obvious signs of wear. Not a huge deal as they said they would take 10% off the price. Then they talked themselves into giving only 5% off because there was “no structural damage”. The salesperson told me the out the door price with tax, and I agreed to that and purchased it. They then realized it didn’t have a case. These guitars ship with a deluxe case with many extras, including hardware and documentation. They gave me a generic, flimsy case and said this is what Gibson is using now. I said no they aren’t. Where’s the extra truss rod cover? The strap? The COA? The all purpose tool? They realized I wasn’t as dumb as they hoped I’d be.

I ordered a used guitar online from Guitar Center. I was a long time customer at both the local shops and online. The guitar arrived damaged because it was not packed well... a thin box and some bubble wrap. I obtained a return authorization and sent it back the very next day. The guitar went back to the main warehouse which took 3 days. It took 3 weeks and 4 phone calls to "customer service" to get a refund. First call to customer service and I was told it would take 3-5 days to process the return.

On Aug 12, 2020 I ordered 2 items form Guitar Center online. The package arrived at my local UPS on the 15th but I never got it. Few days after I had an online chat with a representative and she told me that the package was lost. She was not able to send me a new one or to cancel and refund my order. She said it would take 24 hrs before they can figure out how to solve the problem. I was expecting an email or phone call but didn't receive neither. This time I called the customer service on the phone. A man picked up and told me the same thing again - another 24 hrs. And they cannot refund or send me a new one.

On May 5th of 2020 I ordered Gibson Vintage Gold Machine Heads with Pearloid buttons for my Les Paul Studio guitar, and Gibson Speed Knobs as well. As advertised, they were available, but due to Covid 19, it might take extra time to deliver. It has now been two months and nothing. After reading reviews from others, I find online ordering through Guitar Center can be an exercise in futility. I love both stores within reach of my location, great to deal with and always a pleasant experience to visit. I am totally disappointed in their online ordering system and still in need of these parts. If this is what I can expect in the future, I will not be ordering online from Guitar Center.

First I'd like to say that the staff at this location have been amazing and very helpful. This review is not about them but about the company's Pro Coverage plan. On February (26th) my son purchased a used Galen Krueger head amp and cabinet speaker from Guitar Center in Williston, VT. He worked his butt off for this amp and spent well over $400 for the cost of everything plus the cost for the Pro Coverage Protection Plan. 10 days later the amp caught on fire and we returned it to GC for a refund. In order to receive a refund we needed to file a claim through the Pro Coverage protection plan. The claims are handled by Asurion.

I tried to order a used guitar but was having trouble with their online system. Decided to call in instead. Sales assured me that the guitar was available. Call dropped. Started an online chat. Was informed the guitar was recently sold and the system had not yet been updated. Following week the guitar was still online. Called again. Call dropped. Started an online chat and was informed the guitar was recently sold and system had not yet been updated. It's Groundhog Day every day over there.

The Daily Pick is used to allow the satellite stores to get rid of "used" inventory when "NEW" items are ADVERTISED AND purchased as IN STOCK and READY TO DELIVER. I ordered an acoustic amp for $299.00 on sale through online 2 weeks back .... they say it's back ordered. I called today because the SAME amp is for sale today for $499.00 as "in stock and ready to deliver". I bought it on the Telephone this time to make sure it was ready to deliver. YES was my answer. I informed her of my previous purchase and asked her to explain. Turned out her story changed and maybe I couldn't get either purchase. I gave her my phone number and Asked to speak with her supervisor. Still waiting for satisfaction.

I will never order from Guitar Center AGAIN!!! I ordered two very expensive cables and only received one. I have been back and forth for over a month with customer service and no cable or refund. I've had it with this place. I've purchased instore and online in the past but never again. I'll take my business somewhere else that'll treat me as a Honest Customer.

I had order some items online for the first time since all Guitar Center locations was close from the pandemic. I order a DJ controller & another item & paid full price for brand new factory sealed items. It was mid April when I placed my order & spent a little more than $500. I received the items at the start of May to realize what they sent me was open box, used, scratched up items with parts missing.

I had ordered a Line 6 150W head for my son for his birthday/graduation gift. I placed the order on April 16th. We received the head on the 22nd, but the cab still hadn't shipped. I had been in contact with customer service repeatedly to find out when it would ship out. 2 weeks later I received an email from the store manager saying they didn't have the supplies to ship the cab in. So I contacted customer service again to change my authorization to another location. I received the cab several days later.

One thing I will not tolerate is ordering a new piece of equipment, unable to deliver. A store manager called and told me that either I wait 4-6 weeks or take a floor model at the same price. I complained and all the sudden "they found one". It is used, I am a professional and can tell. The neck doesn't have the right coating on it, and the jack where the guitar cable goes in collapsed after one time, I had to go in, take this cheap PRS special piece of crap and fix it. The stores are all closed, I was left on my own. I then ordered some strings on a promotional campaign, never came. Called, they sent me replacement, except wrong make and model and for a 7 string guitar. Eventually strings came .10 not .009. Can't use them. All my necks are set for .10. Horrible dirt bag scoundrels. Stay away from these guys.

Purchased a guitar online from Guitar Center, received a confirmation number and pick up location for the next day. The closest location that had this guitar was 60 miles away from my work location (I had no problem with that). The problem was when I got to the location, then looked at my email for contactless delivery contact person... It was revealed, that despite the fact that $330 was taken out of my debit card to pay for the Fender electro-acoustic cutaway guitar, that no actual inventory was available from Guitar Center.

Over the past month and a half, I have called the main phone line, local store phone line, and various numbers for Guitar Centers in the 50 mile vicinity. I have yet to talk to a single individual during any call. I have over 40 hours of hold time logged at this point and yet, have not been able to speak to a single person. Since I've been working from home during this quarantine period, it's easier to remain on hold for long wait times while I work at my desk. Regardless, out of 40+ hours of waiting to talk to a single employee, I have talked to not one. Not a single answer. I am calling the correct numbers as well. These calls have mostly been directed to the main phone number for Guitar Center.

I visited the store in Seven Corners on May 10, 2020, shortly before 1:00 pm. There was a staff member monitoring the front door, and he informed me that I could not enter the store until another customer departed. I acknowledged and waited outside the store. When two customers exited shortly thereafter, I was allowed to enter the store. However, before letting me through, the staff member asked me what type of guitar I was purchasing today, as I had mentioned in our earlier conversation that I wanted to look at some classical guitars. I indicated that I wanted to browse and try a few out. He then said that I would only be allowed to enter the store if I was going to buy a guitar. I then asked what would happen if I could not find any guitar that I liked, and he responded that I would have to order one.

Regularly the used gear is mismarked. They always mark it as a more expensive model. For instance, they have a Tobias Growler 5 that they are calling a killer B 5 which is a more expensive model. The chat won't respond, there is no email, and their phone system won't allow you to talk to a real person, so there is no way to correct this problem. Buyer beware, you are most likely buying a cheaper product mismarked at a higher price. Good luck returning it without a lawsuit.

I ordered several items for my drum kit specifically because their website said in stock and available for immediate shipping. Well one piece shipped. Then a few days later another did. It’s been over a week and not only do I not know what has happened with the rest of my order, but when I called I got some guy with a ton of attitude. I did learn that NOTHING is in stock. It’s all over the US and it’s being shipped piecemeal. I also ordered some drum sticks from a local store that’s open, and the website said they were available that day. Six days later no one can tell me when I might get them.

I ordered a keyboard last week, the package was supposed to come this week, last Monday, I call UPS, they tell me the package is lost, I call Guitar Center, they tell me they sent an email to us and I have to wait 3 days to hear from them, I am a student, I needed this for school, they lost my business and my colleagues as well, thanks for nothing.

If you were thinking about opening a small business account (anything under $1m) Don’t think that you will receive anything except a computerized account. There is no banking relationship they do not value you as a customer and they will put you at the back of every line. They will stall and send you on the runaround but you will never get any action upon your requests even when you go through the process they have (forms, online, etc). If you need a bank account that has moderate to high fees and you can access online, they are competent. Other than that STAY AWAY And go with one of your local business banks.

I feel everyone's pain here, I have been lied to several times, will not return phone calls. After over a month of trying to get my order I gave up. Now I just want a refund, put this nightmare to bed.

I called to see why my order was cancelled after being provided a order number and the money being taken out of my account for a purchase of two guitars. I spoke to Ethan in customer service and he's laughing while telling me that he can not provide any reason why the order was cancelled.. He says he is working from home and cannot transfer me to anyone, but later on he starts laughing and says “Well dude to be honest your call is kinda pointless”... Literally the worst customer service, this is a billion dollar company and they act like that on the phone when I'm just trying to buy two guitars and figure this out so they can ship within the week. I'm still in shock on how that phone call went, enough to write this on Consumer Affairs.

Bought an out of box guitar and was damaged. Took it back then purchased the same but new. When it arrived; the box was open and it had missing pieces so, the "open box" guitar was sold as such but was damaged and the "new" guitar was sold as such but was an "open box." What does that say about this organization? They are not only deceitful but they think that customers are idiots. I'll never buy anything from Guitar Center again.

Approx. a year and a half to 2 years ago, I ordered an Epiphone Les Paul for about $450 with tax. The guitar was shipped from a store in NY. The packaging was pretty shoddy and the guitar buzzed up and down the neck. After about six months I noticed a seam at the top of the neck. I thought it was cracked and drove 80 miles to the Memphis GC store and asked about the perceived issue. The store employee loosened the strings, torqued the neck and stated, "the neck has been repaired and this guitar would have never left this store." He further stated, "if it hasn't been so long since you purchased it, we would do something about it."

After ordering an item on here I had been searching for months to buy, I received the gig bag only to find it was not at all what I was hoping it to be as far as usage. I called customer service to follow through on their 45 Day customer satisfaction guarantee only to be told that "dissatisfaction" with the item ordered does not fall under their "Satisfaction" policy and I would have to pay return shipping. I could ONLY claim their satisfaction policy if the item was incorrectly shipped and/or damaged. So their customer satisfaction policy is complete garbage and only a shipping error can enact free returns. Very disappointing and frustrating.

I ordered a Silverstein ligature (over $200) for a competition that was in about 4 weeks. I had heard so many good things about this ligature, so I was really excited to receive it. I chose standard shipping and was told it would take 3 to 5 days to ship. A week had passed and it still hadn't come, so I called customer service and they said to give it a few more days.

They ship out used store demos half the time when you order new and charge full price. If you make a return using their gear card it takes a month to get the money back and I was given house credit instead of a refund by mistake with my order. Every time I spoke with a customer service rep during my long ordeal to get a refund every person acted and sounded like they just woke up from sleeping and didn't remember anything I was telling them from only a minute prior and would say "I dunno man" like a stoner and just try to get me off the phone telling me to wait a few days. No wonder the company is in trouble.

The Guitar Center on Kemper Road in Sharonville Ohio is outstanding, for customer service and great products. do not let a bad online shopping experience ruin your opinion of Guitar Center. Online you cannot get anything worth a crap, go to their store in life. They are very great people to work with! DO NOT GO TO GUITAR CENTER ONLINE.

I have been a long time customer (12+ years) with my Guitar Center card. I will occasionally buy things on the card when they run the 24-48 months no interest promos. They have recently changed their policy and will take extra payments and apply them to the promo that expires the farthest out rather than the one that expires in a couple months - unless you call them and correct it. Every single time you make an extra payment. So if you have a 0 interest promo ending in March and one ending in December every extra payment gets applied to the December amount. This is a new policy, and calling their customer service and getting the agent to understand and subsequently adjust is both difficult and time consuming. Each call takes about 30-45 minutes. This last time I was on hold while they made the adjustment for 27 minutes.

Beware of shipping your items from Guitar Center website. On Black Friday I purchased a used guitar from Guitar Center and had it shipped to my house using UPS. After a week I still hadn't received the guitar so I started investigating. I contacted UPS customer service and was told my shipment had been lost/stolen at the distribution center in Portland, Oregon. UPS said I have to file a claim through the shipper so I contacted the store where the guitar was purchased to start the process of refunding my money. Doubtful I'll see my refund from guitar center before Christmas. This was my first purchase from Guitar Center. I won't repeat that mistake again. Buyer beware.

Looking for a decent used AMP for Christmas for my daughter who loves to play her acoustic. First, ordered a Fender, but canceled WITHIN ONE HOUR before it shipped. They did NOTHING but would not refund the shipping. The item was never even packed or shipped! SCAM 1! Got the cancellation but BEFORE realizing they had not refunded the shipping (that NEVER shipped!) I ordered a different amp. Looked over the pictures carefully, they listed it LIKE NEW CONDITION. So I ordered it and just to be "safe" I also ordered the 2 year warranty. Got the amp in, what a SCAM again! Bubble wrapped and looked like they had been shuffling it around the warehouse for a while. ALL of the corners were scuffed or dinged up. Black marks in several places, etc.

Ordered the Avid Pro Tools, download by chat (saved transcript), used gear rewards (impossible to use online) and was promised to receive code to activate within 24 hours. Called back 3 days later to inform never received email with code although order shows shipped. Was told GC would have to contact Avid to find out why. Requested cancellation as this was needed immediately. Called back to customer service 3 weeks later as no refund issued still showing up on my gear credit card. Another 3 days and no refund or return contact from GC, only a refusal to refund despite never receiving product and totally lost earned gear reward bucks.

I have been a customer of Guitar Center since 1988, and their receipts on sales from me for musical merchandise should reach about $20,000. I have always been courteous, polite, and pay cash. On Monday 11/18/19 at 11 am I entered Guitar Center in Hollywood. 5 minutes after shopping, the same guitar sales manager who complained about me a year ago said he was getting complaints about me. I asked who complained because no one was there, and he refused to tell me as he did a year ago. Since this first very humiliating complaint a year ago, I have made every effort including asking Doctors to correct the supposed complaint.

Guitar Center claims to pay you 60% of what you would buy the used guitar from Guitar Center. I did my research, went to the Guitar Center in North Charleston and not only were they not interested in their own national prices but they wouldn’t look. When I questioned them they asked me to leave. I will not do business with them ever again, and I was going to buy a brand new Gibson ES-335 from them.

Very very disappointed in the way I was treated and denied my claim. I paid top dollar for the coverage plan for 36 months on Zildjian cymbal. As starving musicians around the world, many of us don't come from much or have much money. Guitar Center is used to push the pro coverage on us consumers costing us more money at purchase, and who are the ones to benefit other than them & the insurance company. However, when they push the sale of pro coverage on you, there is no bold letters or warnings of what is needed when filing a claim and the steps you will have to go through.

TLDR: Guitar Center is full of disrespectful customer service reps who will do nothing but lie to you, then brush it off as inventory mistakes. I have spoken to 8 reps in the last week, and every single one has told me something different. On Wednesday I purchased a guitar online with a price match for in-store pickup. I did this so I could just pick up after work, rather than wait for the 3 day shipping from the other website. I was told it would be ready in a couple of hours. Get there that night to pick it up to find it isn't ready. Oh well, no big deal. The next day I'm told it's ready. Then I find out only the floor model is in stock, so it would be shipped from another store that day with next day shipping. That sucks, but oh well.

I ordered a used Jackson KVT Pro from the McAllen, Tx location. I was prepared to pay for a new guitar, but I noticed a used one listed in excellent condition on the website. I called the store to ask for some details concerning the guitar (store is 5.5 hrs away) and they assured me it was, "like brand new." I decided to go ahead and purchase the guitar that evening (10-10-19) around 18:20. The website listed next afternoon delivery which cost me an extra $58.82 which I was fine with, bc I saved some money and I had just started my vacation and would have ample time to play. Well apparently, I have to read their fine print bc I ordered too late for them to actually deliver on that next afternoon promise. I didn't receive the guitar until Monday 10-14-19).

I purchase a Sennheiser wireless mic about 3 years ago - with the Asurion Extended warranty. That cost about $125. In the pamphlet it states repairs in most cases take 4 - 5 business days & sometimes a " FEW " days longer. I sent the mic back on Sept 10, 2019 & still do not have it back - or a replacement sent. After making several calls - today I received a call from a Guitar Ctr rep (Michele) who informs it could take 30 more days to get back. Don't waste your $ on the protection plans - I'm without my Mic for 3 weeks now & had to go out & buy a new one - as they cannot support the product they are selling.

Placed an online order for a used guitar, sale went through I received an confirmation email from them that they were processing the order for shipment, Money was shown processed from my bank checking account. A couple days later I went on my Guitar Center account to see tracking information for the shipment of the guitar I ordered. It said back ordered. Huh? I contacted them as to what was going on and how can a used guitar be back ordered. They said it is just a system error. That they would check into it and get back with me.

After 10 years being away from playing, I decided it was time to get back into music. So, I ordered a PRS and all the peripherals including strings, amp, strap, case, etc. from Anything-But Guitar Center in April 2019. All of the items, except the guitar, arrived pretty quickly and I was excited. Then came the first email from Anything-But Guitar Center that advised me my guitar would be a few weeks or so. Ok, I was away from music for 10 years so I could easily wait another few weeks.

Guitar Center in Taylorsvlle UT advertises items on the internet as "in stock." But when you make a trip to the store, first they look at you like you are crazy when you ask about an advertised item, and then when you press them they tell you that they can put the item on back order and get it for you in "2-3 weeks."

So easy for Guitar Center to say "Sorry!" You buy something online that was advertised as good/working condition for $100 + tax, and then buy a 3-yr warranty to make sure the item will be "replaced" if they don't work or if GC is unable to fix it. Paid a total of $150 using my debit card. I went to the store in Ming, prior to the 45 days, talked to a staff and voiced my concern of a non-working "ToneWoodAmp". I had the option of having the tech guy look at it (he was off that day) and see if they can fix it. So, I said I would return with their word that they can honor the item even past 45 days and have everything reimbursed (warranty included). I returned to the store though it was past 45 days for my item to be checked and possibly be replaced. I was told they can't "replace" the item because it was BOUGHT used and the staff I first talked to does not know the ins and outs or the how's and why's.

Purchased a used Marshall MG15CFX amp that was listed in good condition and the effects do not work properly. They said there was nothing they could do and offered no compensation. Poor customer service.

I ordered the Ibanez SR500 and hard case online. The hard case was shipped first and was new as advertised. However, the Ibanez SR500 guitar that came later on came in in a bubble wrap in an old box, was chipped on several parts of the body, worn out fretboard, dusty head, and corroded knobs. Simply put, the guitar was not brand new. I called customer service about it and they said that since the guitar has not been sold, it was still considered new regardless of the condition. They explained that since they were out of stock of this model, the only unit they could ship was the display. Also, they offered the newer model for additional $50. I was disappointed. They did not even offer a discount or anything that would compensate for the inconvenience. I returned the item, got my money back, and decided not to buy from them ever again.

I ordered a DJ mixer from guitarcenter.com. It arrived in non-functioning broken condition. When I reached out to the shop they offered no real means fixing the problem. So I am stuck with this not working broken mixer. Do not do business with these folks.

waiting over 6 months for ordered items on websiteWas told to wait a few extra weeks then told again and again for over 6 months. How can an item be listed for sale and then never mailed out. Kept being told to be patient another 2 weeks over and over. Cannot trust this company.

I bought what I thought to be an M-Audio pro interface. That's what the little image showed and when I bought it and I received it It was a regular M-Audio interface not the pro (I needed the pro for the 48v power). I returned it I asked for the misinformation online if I could the pro at the same price. That didnt work out. Me and the girl I was talking to agreed upon online credit and free one day shipping. I agreed to that. Well she tells me to call back Friday to see if the return which by this time it did but it was processed and etc until Monday.

Ordered a clarinet online for an assumed great sale, over a month ago. I called to ask them to send the clarinet to local store, rather than home, 2 weeks ago, and the customer representative said nothing about the price, just that tax would be a bit higher. Today, I got a call stating that there was an IT mistake and they cancelled the order, and sent me an e-mail saying "We're sorry you changed your mind, but we're excited to help you find your sound, so give us a call—we're always here to help." They claim it was an error - but their e-mail makes it sound like I canceled my order, instead of an apology. Perhaps it was a bait and switch. Very unhappy that it took them over 30 days to find their "error." My son was expecting a great birthday gift and now he's got nothing.

When a website says there will be no charge for a pre-order until it ships, and then the charge shows up as pending in your bank, I would consider that a lie. I called customer service to cancel my order, and the dude argued with me saying "Well it's only pending." I told him that this is a stupid policy and that the website language needs to be changed and he got defensive. Stupid company, stupid policy, misleading language on the website that should be illegal. Will buy elsewhere from now on.

I have been dealing with an issue for 7 months over an online amp purchase. Took them three times to get my online order right. Then after 2 months of trying to get pro coverage on my purchase I called Corporate office and they assured me they took care of it and the charge had gone through my Gear Card. 5 months after that I find an unauthorized charge on my bank statement. Again I call Customer Service getting the same run around, they did not follow through and contact me back. Again I call Corporate and they have a manager from customer service call me back who tells me it is a charge for the Pro Coverage. What a huge let down. I will not be buying from them in the future.

We have use Guitar Center for many many years, so when we were looking for a new subwoofer to get for an event for Memorial Day, we went with a company we had always trusted. We called an actual storefront who said it was in stock, in store and could be shipped. We called on a Friday and were told it would arrive no later than Wednesday. Well Monday we noticed no email of shipment was sent so we called. What a joke. The guy said that it hadn’t sent because the billing address and shipping address weren’t the same. This was fully discussed on the phone Friday with the store!!

Purchased a used electric guitar online, it arrived quickly well packaged, however when opened I found missing parts and some of the electronics were not connected. Website description stated it was in "good usable condition showing normal use". It was not usable. Upon contacting them I was told I would be contacted regarding the problem, that was more than a week ago, still no answer from them. I would (ADVISE) you to avoid this company at all cost. A complete rip-off outfit.

Guitar Center in Mesquite, Texas. I certify that this review is based on my own experience and is my genuine opinion of this business, and that I have no personal or business relationship with this organization. I agree to the Consumer Affairs Terms of Use. Zero tolerance policy. The store manager are biased, discriminatory and cold to people period. Not just customers. I have witnessed Carol degrading students & customers behind their backs when she didn't realize I was behind her looking at the music books & my roommate was next to her as she laughed at people struggling. From what I saw, she also has no education or history in music while degrading struggling artists.

Bought $2500 worth of guitar amps and it was packed so bad the puffy filling was all over my lawn. The tubes were knocked out. They charged me $100 for this kind of shippings. Looks like a five year old did this.

I couldn't find anyone to unlock a guitar in the acoustic room. After asking for help and even being told "I will go get the keys" no one helped me. I'm done with GC. Lousy service, untrained staff, understaffed stores. I'm amazed they are still in business. Local stores and Reverb, here I come. Wasted my time and a buddy's time -- he came to look with me, listen and play. At least he got dinner for his time and trouble. He was disgusted, too. Never again.

I've been shopping on the internet for a decade and I've only had problems twice. Once I purchased a font from an Austrian font foundry at a website that was not secure. My information was lifted. Not a surprise. The second time was a week after giving my credit card information over the phone to GUITAR CENTER. I had ordered 8 MIDI cables and they were not at their WAREHOUSE. So Guitar Center said they were at the store level and would pull there. First they needed to cancel my order then receive my credit card information over the phone to send them. Knowing I had initiated the call to them, I gave my information.

My experience in buying used gear from Guitar Center is terrible, at best. I have come to the conclusion their system is void of any level of integrity. I have been lied to, manipulated, and tricked more times than not. I have been satisfied on one purchase, a powered speaker that was a decent price and came in as described, with the power cord. However, on two other purchases, one powered speaker was in poor condition with rust embedded into it, many scratches, and even multiple holes drilled into it. The store rep in Webster Texas defended the "Good" condition label, siting it could have minor flaws and still be considered "Good" condition. It was "Poor" clearly.

I ordered a new digital piano for my daughter. Was told 3 -5 days for shipping. Never showed up. I called and they said it was discontinued and they could send me a floor model. I told them to cancel my order. Terrible. My daughter who is taking lessons could not practice. Jerks!

Ordered "new" online. They called and said it was new, but it was a out of the box, floor model. They asked if I still wanted it. I said no. What a disappointment. The online ad should have plainly indicated that it was a used product.

Bought amp, paid, they said I canceled my order. I called. They said they ran out of product so it was best for them to say I canceled and it means that it is my fault so they don’t look bad or have to make it right for advertising product. They won’t sell for the price shown but if you have other product in your order they only cancel the product that’s being used for bait and switch to get you to order from them.

I've purchased several expensive items, guitars and amps, online from GC and have the same experience with shipping. Ordering items with 2nd day UPS Express Air does not mean you will get it in 2 business days. It means once UPS picks it up, add 2 days to that. I was told that on used instruments it takes longer to package them. Somewhere in their shipping policy they should have a notice regarding that. If they don't get around to shipping it for 3 or 4 days you have paid extra expecting to get it in 2 business days.

What can you say about totally incompetent employees that charge your PayPal account $120.00 and then send you some totally absurd cheap, no-brand bass drum foot pedal that cost $9.99? I called from North Carolina to the Guitar Center in Dallas, TX located on Central Expressway 6 times over a 2 day period. I never, ever received a return phone call from the manager... OR ANYONE!!! Finally I had to initiate a fraud resolutions complaint through PayPal and they now told me I won't get my $120 back for another 2 weeks!

I ordered a speaker and protective bag and got a price match. The unit they sent was clearly not new and did not come with the bag nor did I get a receipt for my records. I've made countless phone calls, several managers and salespeople, unanswered emails and phone messages, and even sent two letters to their corporate customer service. Same not new unit and no proof I even purchased it. To boot it turns out they never even carried the bag they were supposed to send, the girl that took the order got the wrong email, shipping, and billing address, allegedly put my purchase through a fraud check and managed to get a nearly $1000 charge through. I even sent a letter to corporate headquarters and have heard nothing. Never, ever again.

Admit to your mistakes. It cost my kid 3 zero for 3 events. She was not able to participate because you don't have your communication together. Because of your lack of customer service and communication mistakes like this wouldn't have been made.

A record was purchased for my daughter for Christmas. Every time we check on the progress we are given a new date. It’s now February 10th and we have been given another date, March 22nd. What is worse is when you contact customer support on the website through the chat bar, every time I get a rep that does not care about the customer at all. Not once out of all the reps I spoke to apologized for the long wait or tried to make me feel better in some way about it. They would just automatically say, "We can cancel your order," or they would disconnect from the chat. I will never purchase online from them again. I hope no one else makes that mistake either.

Went to the Guitar Center in Lexington KY to trade in an amp and cabinet. Stood at the counter for 15 min before they decided to help the man who came in after me (to sell a guitar) first. Thought to myself, "well mistakes happen sometimes, I'll just be patient". Waited another 20 min without even being acknowledged. In that 20 min, the employee at the other register helped someone else, then instead of helping me, it took him and two other employees to open a third register. By the time 40 min had passed I ran out of patience and left. This is not the first time I've been ignored there. The previous visit I stood waiting for help for 20 min while not 1, not 2, but 3 employees helped a woman in choosing a capo for her daughter.

I’m getting prepared to take Guitar Center to court and report them to BBB. I returned a new item in exchange for other items. They charged me one item higher than a new price and it was used. Tried to make up the difference and my money never went in the bank but came back as in store credit. I also dealt with a phone rep. For some reason they gave me 3 dollars less than what they both told me was on record. They sent me a defective item that came out to 194.00 total and I had warranties on all items. The man on the phone said I should get shipping since they did not properly check the item and sent me a defect. Out of the 194.00 they said I would get 186.00 and would not return the shipping.

I purchased what was presented as a used American-made Washburn WM526 (a good guitar). Guitar Center sent me an Indonesian copy. I complained, they apologized. I boxed it up and returned it. Huge pain and it all looked fishy, but, oh well. But then I see they took the guitar they were told (and then said they knew) was essentially a much cheaper knockoff and put it back online for the same price and once again labeled incorrectly as a wm526. I had given them the benefit of the doubt that they weren't trying to pull something over on me, but seeing they took the same instrument and reposted it with the same misrepresentations suggests somebody is trying to trick some beginner into paying more than they should.

I ordered a guitar online, after more than 2 weeks, I contact them and they tell me is back ordered with no known date, so I tell them if another color would be available, they say yes, I change the order and after 2 more weeks the order is again back ordered. And when I contact them they say they don't know if the guitar is available or not... Why do they do that? I will never order or buy anything at Guitar Center...

I ordered Gift Card for Christmas per GC online promotion of get a 20$ bonus card per every 100$. I never received bonus Card!! I called numerous times to only find out they funnel these through a 3rd party (which you are not made aware of when purchasing online). I sent screenshots of the promotion along with my receipt of purchase, dated & times stamped. NO ONE has been in touch with me! What a headache! All for Christmas which has since passed & the isuue has yet to be resolved in weeks! False advertisement & a scam!! Buyer Beware!

I haven't shopped online in a year. I've been going to the store I input my email and password and since it has been a year I'm forced to reset my password. I have been back and forth with their CS department, I've called, chatted and emailed them for four days. Their customer service acts like they are too important to help. They are rude and an absolute self-entitled nightmare.

I called GC and asked for pricing and availability on a product. Joey ** quoted me a decent price and told me that the product was in stock. I had him check with the warehouse to verify that it was in stock and it was. This was important to me as this was a x-mas gift which needed to ship ASAP to arrive in time for the holiday. I paid with my credit card and then immediately got an e-mail from GC informing me that the product was back-ordered for another month. I called and spoke with someone else and they told me that this item had been back-ordered for a while... I was furious! I had him cancel the order and it took GC an entire week to credit my credit card. Do not trust these people. They will say anything to capture the sale, take your money fast and then take a week to credit you when it doesn't work out... You have been warned!!!

I ordered a Ibanez Paul Stanley back on November 24th. When I ordered it I asked the sales person when it would ship out because I wanted to make sure I received it by Christmas as it was a gift for my 16 year old son. He told me it would ship out on Monday. When it ended up not shipping on Monday I started a chat online. This person told me it was back ordered and would ship out on 12/14. I was hesitant at first and told the person that perhaps I should just order it from Amazon as they had it in stock at the time. He told me that I was free to do that, but he was confident I would have it by Christmas. I really wanted to order from your company as I have purchased through you before. I let the order continue.

I placed a order for a new in stock Kremona Fiesta FC Classical Acoustical guitar from their website. Days passed and never received a shipping confirmation. I phoned GC for status. They said three were available. One store was getting my order ready. Two days later a email from GC said I canceled the order??? I called them again. Then they said PayPal denied the payment?? I offered to use a credit card and asked them to call the store to process only to discover all three were just sold BUT they had a used same model for $100.00 less. You Decide and good luck.

I entered their store about an hour after opening. No one was at the desk. I stood there for several minutes. I had brought a guitar for appraisal. Basically no one was interested in me. They ignored me. No one made eye contact or smiled or asked if they could help. I spoke to people who had been waiting 15 minutes or more. They have terrible customer service. I have been in retail 18 years and I know that if I treated my customers like this I'd be fired. So bad customer service, no visible security. It seemed as though no one cared about anything.

That person from the call center who served me is called either Michael or Jake. Beware of him cause he's such a careless person. He sent my product to my previous address though we confirmed the address I'm in now through chat. I was so disappointed because I didn't know he couldn't read and operate the system properly.

I spent hours trying to find the right guitar on the different big guitar websites. Guitar Center web page showed the exact guitar I wanted at a good price with a 15% discount. So I bought it. First, discount wasn't applied. Okay called next day and they fixed that. Then waited, received NO notice of shipping. Called and they told me, "oh sorry we don't actually have that guitar anymore!" When were they going to tell me??? If I hadn't called, no telling how long. But, they said they found a damaged one at a store I could have for $50 less. Unbelievable! They had a similar model but were zero motivated to give me the same discount.

Today I took my 40+ year old antique Hawaiian ukulele in to be restrung. We waited almost an hour for the technician who had gone out for a cigarette and finally another guy took our info and said he'd pass it along when the technician came back. A couple hours later we returned to get it and found the natural strings had been replaced with white strings, and a couple chunks had been chipped out of the wood - Jeremy the technician said "oops - sometimes that happens when you cut the strings." He also said it probably wouldn't stay in tune because of the strings he put on it. That's the reason I took it to be restrung in the first place! I am not pleased. This was a sentimental souvenir from my 16th birthday. I can use a wood marker or something, but it will never be as nice as when I took it into Guitar Center. Next time I will find a music store with people who actually care.

I ordered a pair of used dark hi-hat cymbals and a used dark ride cymbal with rush shipping. However what I got was a used dry crash and a different set of hi-hats from what I thought I had ordered. I called before they shipped to confirm the correct items were shipping, and Judd did indeed confirm that my dark hi-hats and dark ride were being prepped to shipped. He had lied to me and now they will not ship the cymbal that I actually paid for until they get their dry crash cymbal back, as if I ever wanted the thing in the first place. Now I have to wait for UPS to decide to come pick it up since I don’t have a car to bring it to UPS myself.

I have been playing for over 40 years and just purchased a used Zager 80 guitar in great condition for $1,000. I was so excited to receive it last night I thought I might burst. I had never spent this much on a guitar so, this was a big deal. I can't tell you how very disappointing it was to receive my guitar in such deplorable condition. The scratch on the back did not bother me nor did the two places on the front where someone had repaired the guitar.

They sold me an item online that they didn't actually have. I'm now waiting 5-7 days for them to return my money, so I don't have the money to buy the item necessary for my gig on Saturday. I'm hoping that they will at least manage to return the full amount including shipping, but the invoice they sent doesn't seem to include it. My god, you should have seen the email they sent. A fourth grader could have done better. Stay away.

Horrible, horrible customer service. Ordered a piano online, which showed up in a very beaten up box and with part of the stand cracked. Had most of the piano out of the box by the time we got to the cracked board. Called immediately and was told we could get the part replaced, but would have to wait until they get more in. Have been contacting them for over a month now and getting no help with the issue. Even had them pressure us to purchase Pro Coverage, which wouldn't even cover this since it's cosmetic anyway. Now they are making us return it (good thing we kept the box) and get a new one. I have no idea how we'll get it back in the beaten box though. The number of times I've had to contact them to follow up is such a poor use of my time. Not to mention having to assemble then disassemble then assemble another piano. No respect for their customers and their time. Will not be shopping with Guitar Center again.

I tried playing Taylor, Gibson, Martin, Takamine, Yamaha, Seagull guitars but only DEMO models seem to be on sale. Also sale prices seem to be more expensive than manufacturers recommended price! How can you call this a sale? Do you actually have new guitars for sale? It appears not so! Even with your so called sale price or 15 percent discount. Not very honest at all! I would have liked to have purchased either a Gibson Les Paul or maybe a Fender Telecaster U.S.A. made but you can't seem to offer new guitars. Only demo models. Or tell me to purchase through the internet. Not with the program buddy! I’ll have to purchase elsewhere I guess! I pity the salesperson trying to sell OLD gear as new and "this is the last one" philosophy! Poor show all around.

Don't get me wrong, in most cases the sales associates (the ones working on the floor) know their gear, but it's the way they act and treat you that make you feel embarrassed when you don't buy the high-end stuff. I purchased a used guitar from Guitarcenter.com and when I went to the store to pick it up the associate went and got it from the back then set it by the exit door and walked away without even giving me a receipt. I had to flag down another associate, and when I told him the package was just left there by the door, he who told me to "not be shy" about asking for help as he opened the package up so it could be inspected, and sure enough it was damaged.

Guitar Center needs to re-evaluate it's financing partners. I have nearly an 800 credit score, I make on average $15k a month, and have no debt other than a student loan yet I was denied credit. They just lost a lot of business.

I called this morning about a simple thing: a Ludwig 22" bass drum head with a vintage Ludwig logo on it. I asked for a price. I was told by an associate that he had to call the Ludwig company and get back to me. I never heard back from him. How hard is that? It will be good if they go down the tubes. Then all the small, specialty musical instrument shops they put out of business will return.

I have a gift card for Guitar Center, so I intended to use it (plus some additional from my credit card) to buy some software I have been wanting. First, they said they could not obtain an authorization for my credit card (which was not in any way a questionable card), then they said they could not obtain an authorization for my other card (which also was certainly not questionable). I tried to chat, but received an error message. I tried to email, but was told that the page didn't exist. It really sounds like they don't want my business (or the business of anybody I can influence, for that matter). Maybe I can use the gift card in the store (or - wishful thinking - at Sweetwater).

I've been a musician for over 30 years, and have been to many Guitar Centers all over California from Oxnard to Roseville, which brings me to this post. Roseville Guitar Center? Go to Sacramento! Every single time I have to go to this store (Sac sometimes the system goes down) I leave in a bad mood! The workers are rude, always will low ball you with gear, and the few items that they have, are overpriced. My fellow shredders, avoid this ** store!

I have purchased several acoustic guitars over the years from different GC locations. The customer service at most locations have progressively got worse to terrible at some locations. This includes department sales people that have very little if any knowledge of the items they are selling, unfriendly interaction during phone conversations, being placed on hold for several minutes and then terminating your call and never being called back when the personnel takes your number and states they will call you back.

I recently purchased a guitar from Guitar Center in Mesquite TX. I had played many years ago and wanted to pick it back up. I had been in this store before and they have a good selection. I chose a guitar that had electric hook up. I have only had acoustic so wasn't familiar. It was their last one so the man who helped me said he would throw in a stand and a strap. When I got it home I discovered that the cable inside was not hooked up. So I took it back the next day. It turns out it was missing everything it needed for electronic hookup--yet they sold it to me anyway.

Ordered a MacbookPro from their website and paid by credit card. Order was canceled without prior notification. Did it a second time and order was canceled again. Called customer service who said they only accept wire transfer. Ridiculous.

I wish I had read the reviews for this company before I tried to make a purchase from them. After doing quite a bit of research I found the vintage tenor banjo I wanted, on the Guitar Center site. It was advertised as In Stock and Ready to Ship. After I gave all of my personal information and made payment online I received an email in app 15-20 minutes telling me the item was on back order. Since I ordered a specific, vintage instrument and didn't believe there was a ready inventory of vintage banjos available, I called them. They didn't really have an explanation but the employee on the phone did confirm that it didn't make sense for a one of a kind vintage instrument to be on back order. I got my money back and will never deal with them again -- what a ridiculous experience and what a disorganized company. BTW it is still listed as In Stock and Ready to Ship.

Store messed up a 2000 dollar order. Weeks later they refused to do anything to apologize. When I asked for shipping labels to return items they agreed, only to never send them. I called 4 times regarding shipping labels, but was forced to drive 2 hours to store to return all items. I called to complain about THAT, they offered me $50 gift card. It never came. I called to ask why, they said they changed their mind and that I can only speak with 'managers' now. Somehow them doing terrible job makes me the outcast. Scum. They are totally undertrained and need to be investigated for prejudice. Now I have $200 on credit that they refuse to send back to me in gift cards.

I will never so much as buy a guitar pick at Guitar Center in Castleton ever again. This is the 2nd time I have made an on-line purchase in their used store inventory and had the item come in defective. That in it of itself isn't the problem, it's how the staff handles the problem. I purchased a Blackstar 2 x 12 combo amp and it shipped out of Florida. It arrived at my house very well packaged, however as soon as I plugged it in, it sounded like the speakers were blown and I thought a tube probably got damaged in transport which is not that big of a deal because I felt like it would be a quick and easy repair. The same day that I received it, I hauled it into Guitar Center in Castleton and explained the situation. Both employees said a tube probably got damaged in transit.

I tried to order a DJ controller and two studio monitors. I made the payment and received an email from Guitar Center the next day, asking me to contact their verifications department and to send them a bank statement to confirm my payment. I did that right away, but didn't hear anything from them for two days. I contacted them again, the person on the phone didn't know anything about my order and asked me to send my bank statement again. The same thing happened over again twice until finally someone confirmed that they received my bank statement and my order had been confirmed. Two days later, I received another email from Guitar Center saying my order had been cancelled, without a reason added. The person on the phone couldn't tell me why this happen, but told me to try and order again and said hopefully it will work this time. Forget about it!

My multi-effects guitar pedal is on the fritz, so I decided to purchase a new one on Monday. I needed it for rehearsal Tuesday night, but my local Guitar Center didn't have the one I wanted. So I looked online and found that I could "Pickup Today" option for a Guitar Center store about an hour away. I purchased it and waited for the confirmation e-mail. The e-mail never came, so Tuesday morning I called customer service to ask about it. I find out the item is currently in a store 1.5 hours away and being shipped to the other store (where I requested the pickup), so I'll get it between Wed-Fri. When I asked if I could come to this other store and just pick it up, they said it was already on the truck, so I couldn't come get it and had to wait.

Multiple times I have purchased online and attempted to pick up in store. Each time there is a different excuse. No one working to deal with online orders. Check back in 3-4 days. Item not in stock even though it was listed in stock. When asked about if I should get from another store I was told they would request the transfer but it would take at least 3 days when I could just drive down the street. Contacted customer service. Hung on me twice. Asked for manager twice and was denied and then said the only one was busy and would call back. No call back of course. They agreed to cancel my order but aren't doing anything to take care of it. I simply asked that this issue be acknowledged so they would deal with the issue on their side but from the looks of it they are used to seeing these issues and just acknowledged they are aware and don't really care.

Ordered parts for a custom bass I’m working on, gave them my apartment number over the phone. Package was never delivered because the idiot that took my order never entered my apartment number. Called today to check the status of my order and they put a hold on my order!!! Unbelievable! If I could give it zero stars I would!!! HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!

Customer service is not trained to put customer first. I went in the store today, and a customer requested the cashier to put the music, that was playing on the store speakers, a little down so he could hear the bass that he was testing, the cashier rolled his eyes but did, but when the customer left, he started talking about him, saying to the other employees all kinds of things, like, "Dude if you are bothered about the loud music, then leave my store, I like how loud it is." It was really rude, it actually happened with 2 customers. I don't like that, I'm not planning to go back at Colorado Blvd store, so they can talk about me when I leave.

I received an incorrect item from that which I ordered. The customer support rep said it was my confusion and not their error (It didn't match the picture on their site at all), expected me to wait 2 weeks for replacement. When I said I would simply like a refund, they said it would be 5 days and cut me off immediately. Another unsatisfied customer.

This cymbal (20” AA Meinl Byzance Crash) was purchased 1 year plus 4 months ago. It has a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty from AA Meinl. It has a hairline crack on the edge of the cymbal. I took it back to Guitar Center in Framingham MA and was told by their staff that if I didn’t buy the gold coverage with the cymbal I would have to contact the manufacturer about the warranty. Which at this point I told them whenever I had bought anything from a regular drum store and had a problem their staff would always talk to the manufacturer and follow through and do the right thing under a stated manufacturer’s warranty. They absolutely refused to deal with the manufacturer and stated that they don’t even have contacts with the manufacturer and insisted that I contact the manufacturer AA Meinl. So I left disappointed.

This started in August 2017. I brought my Jackson V guitar in for set up (not repair). This was in Reno, NV. Their guitar tech complained in the store loudly about Jackson guitar. Mind you they sell Jackson guitars! He said it would be done by the end of the day. I finally got a call the next day to tell me that a part needed replacement and would cost me $50 more plus labor. I said no, I am picking up the guitar don't work on it. I picked it up. I took it to Bizarre Guitar to Jimi. Jimi had it done in 30 minutes and it was perfectly intonated. He told me that there was nothing wrong with it. So, basically they were bribing us for more money. That or the guitar tech didn't know what he was doing.

I went into the new North Fort Worth store for a new amp and guitar... Was virtually ignored by their verrry cool sales staff standing around the cash registers. Here's a clue for you commission salespeople out there - it's the guys with the gray hair that have the money. Walked out, bought my new Taylor online and bought my new Marshall from Sam Ash of Dallas today. Both of those retailers were excellent. Completely insulted. I absolutely will never deal with GC again.

Don't ever buy used gear from Guitar Center and have it shipped. The amp I purchased ended up to be a different model than the one listed in their online ad. And, when it arrived, it was missing a tube. It took multiple calls to get a replacement for the tube shipped.

Alright so I found a used amp I wanted from their list and bought one from their NH store or so I thought as I get email next day saying that my amp is not on their shelf. So they canceled my order and said my money would not be returned for 5-7 days. So I called my local store. They had the same amp. I want just a little more money. I ask them if the amp was there. Said they see it right now and even told me it had a upgraded speaker so I paid for it. Said I'd pick it few days. I get home from work. Get email saying they accidentally sold the amp to someone else and that they had to cancel my order. Money refunded 5-7 days. So now I sit here writing this. No money no amp. I can't see how they are still around.

I have had good customer service but both stores in Indiana are complete chaos. They have no idea where certificates of authenticity are. This a big deal since Fender sells a limited edition only through their stores. We have actually went back to get the correct COA only to be given the wrong one again. Asked a simple question of whether or not a guitar comes with a gig bag or case to be told it comes with nothing. Lie, I bought that same guitar from you just last week and it came with a case. Some employees are quite willing to lie to you so they can move on. It really stinks when you want to purchase a $3k guitar but you can’t be certain you will get the COA or the correct accessories.

I recently went up to Guitar Center in Indianapolis and traded my Boss MT-2 Metal Zone and an additional $68.00 for a Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff with Top Boost. Package got mixed up.

Guitar Center stores are a whole other web of terrible anti-consumer misery. I returned a Gretsch electromatic hollow body because after assurance by the commissioned salesman that I would love having a Bigsby Tremolo system... I don't and I return it and start shopping on their website. So I've got around $1.1k in Guitar Center credit on a gift card, I find a nice Reverend Double Agent III and a few other things. I purchase them and pay a difference of about $80. Despite being in stock online, I get an email after I buy it saying it will be available 2 weeks from now.

In July 2017, I purchased a Gibson/Les Paul (Epiphone) Slash AFD guitar for my son. Five months later my son complains about the guitar sound not being right? We take it the repair Tech at our Lincoln, Nebraska store (very talented and great guy). He tells us that the neck of the guitar is warped beyond repair. He explains that this problem is no fault of ours, the wood is bad? I had purchased a 36-months "Pro Coverage plan Plan" at Guitar Center for $43.99. Attempted to make a claim for a refund or replacement at the store, but was told to call the number on the Pro Plan. This is where I started to get the runaround. Pro Coverage people says that I am still under manufacturer’s warranty and I have to go through the manufacturer. The lady at the Pro Plan says the warped neck is not covered by Pro Coverage Plan, only electrical problems and accidental damage was covered under the plan.

Spent over 2K with GC in Sarasota. Talked into a product I did not want and cannot get honest answer about exchanging for one that will fit me (wheelchair user with MS). Not offered Pro coverage. Mgr of store not returning my calls. Guitar that will work that's on sale goes off tonight. GC management needs to get involved in this.

I purchased a guitar from GC online as a gift for my wife. The guitar was purchased almost an entire month prior to her birthday. When the package arrived in the mail, it was a $79 Rogue guitar, But I purchased a Les Paul. I immediately called Guitar Center, and was told I would have to pay for the shipping to return the item. After arguing, I was sent a shipping slip that was paid for by GC. After Guitar Center received the wrong item, I was told they would have to verify that I did not damage the item out of anger before they could ship the correct item. This reasoning is ridiculous, since it's GC's mess up. They have had the item for a total of seven days now.

I understand Guitar Center is in the business of making money by selling music equipment. However, the few times I've had some negative feedback, Guitar Center has sent me an email saying my post is under "review". (Censorship) Which literally means all the reviews and ratings on their website are sugar coated, and thus bogus. In my opinion Guitar Center doesn't respect their customers enough to allow them a truthful account of what they're selling, and prefers to protect the manufacturers they represent, by allowing their customers to be scammed at times because it's profitable, and convenient.

I recently purchased the Behringer ACX 1000. I wanted to tell you guys how happy I am with this amp. First off, my order came on time and was packaged very well. Right out of the box this amp did not disappoint. I plugged my AEF Ibanez into the amp and began playing and it was if angels started to sing. Thank you Guitar Center for an incredible sounding amp!!! We will be a regular customer and will be making another purchase in the near future!!!

Purchased a used Bass amp online. It was listed as excellent condition so I was willing to pay a little more than other options because I wanted it to be as close to like new as possible without spending "new" money. The amp came today and didn't have the power cord to plug it into the wall. So I called Guitar Center customer service and she called the store it came from who apparently told her that used amps don't come with the power cord from their store. I can't believe this and if it is true it should be listed in the posting that there is no power cord (kinda important to use an amp). Long story short Guitar Center refused to stand behind their sale. I guess I will return it to a local Guitar Center and lose the shipping cost, plus the fact I now will have to buy the amp somewhere else. Unbelievable.

I needed some essential item delivered by Thursday. I reviewed the shipping policy on of Guitar Center website found here **. The policy states that orders made after 4 PM, with item in stock, and 2-day shipping with be shipped the next day. I placed my order Monday evening. According to their policy, the order should have shipped on Tuesday and arrived on Thursday. However, on Wednesday, the Order Status on their website was blank. I called customer support and was told that they take 24-48 hours to verify orders before they are processed. Because of this my order was delayed and I would not be receiving my items by Thursday.

One day after writing the review I received an email from Guitar Center saying that the Fender guitar was being shipped to me. It seems that the person with whom I talked to got confused and thought that the guitar had been sold to another person, but turns out that it had been sold to me. I wonder what would have happened if I had just bought another guitar in this meantime... I'm updating the store's rating to 3 starts because of 3 reasons: (i) I think it shouldn't take more than 2 days (it took 10 days) to ship a used item that the store advertises as available; (ii) the misinformation of the attendant could have brought me a big headache (I almost bought another guitar on craigslist in this meantime); (iii) I received another guitar (a fender acoustic-electric) today and it was in really bad condition, it had several issues that were not disclosed in the website. Didn't have any problem returning it, but it cost me the shipping fee, which is about $20.

I just want to thanks Elias** from Guitar Center located on Orange Blossom Trail store in Orlando, for your patience and special attention in solve all my problems with my order although I'm 10.000 miles away from the store. I hope to deal with Guitar Center Orlando in the future, especially with Elias **.

I saw a guitar which I was looking for at the Guitar Center in San Antonio. I called them. The staff members there confirmed the availability of the guitar and its excellent condition. I made the order and its payment immediately that morning. However, in the late afternoon, the Guitar Center sent me a note stating that it was out-of-stock. I asked them for the reason considering that the local center had confirmed with me right before my order. No reply. The next day, I received a note of order cancellation. No explanation. No apology. What a waste of time dealing with those people who have no business ethics or courtesy.

I looked into an item several months ago on Guitar Center's web site and, because I needed to check shipping, input my debit card information. I did not place an order at that, or any other, time and I did not set up an account (i.e., did not authorize them to store or use any of my information). Yesterday, I found that Guitar Center had deducted $300 from my bank (the information for which they should not have kept) for an order I did not place; they have refused to refund this amount. This deduction caused me $70 in overdraft fees, which they also refused to refund.

Back in early March or late February I purchased a seafoam green bullet for $99. Thought it was a great deal and my favorite color too. After a few days it seems to have issues holding tune and what not. Then I notice gap on the top side neck and the neck is not properly seated. Since it needs better strings and a setup I decide to look at neck pocket. I notice the router and the factory miscut due to the gig wasn't properly seated. Since I've been so sick lately I've not had strength to deal with fixing or returning. But, when I tried to I noticed more things. In the past I owned a used/vintage guitar shop. So I know better than most of GC's employee's.

Purchased used guitar online. Received confirmation and my credit card was charged. The next three days my order still showed processing. I call Customer Service, hours later I get an email that they sold the guitar and it's no longer available. After I ordered the guitar I sold one of mine to offset the cost of buying the one that I ordered. Now, I have neither. Guitar Center said maybe they can find a similar guitar. Well, I found that they have a "open box" guitar of the exact model. I asked if they could give me a discount off of the open box guitar. They declined, said they would not offer a discount on it. This is lousy customer service and probably one of the reasons I hear that they will be out of business soon. I for one will never set foot in a Guitar Center again. I will take my business elsewhere. Corporate Bots are so yesterday. Good riddance.

This whole nightmare started 3 days ago when an order was placed for 7 items through Guitar Center's over the phone retail associate. I specifically informed the associate the order placed would need to arrive before Saturday as I'm flying back to California for funeral arrangements. Everything was fine. He assured me that the items will most likely arrive on or before Saturday. A business day has since passed and decided to check on order status. Shipping information was not updated and was still showing information unavailable so I decided to call back Guitar Center. I spoke with a couple different associates before being transferred to a verification manager. She explained to me that this is a standard process for order to be verified by the bank before processing and shipping. I once again stressed the level of importance and why I made the purchase on Wednesday over the phone to avoid any interruption and inconvenience.

I was told by sales representatives ** and somebody else at the store location of 18361 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 that the finance option through their financing company "Synchrony Bank" that the credit inquiries were soft credit inquiries. Moments later after the credit pull I received notification that I had not only one but two hard inquiries recently made. I don't know if they feel it is necessary to lie to their clients to make commission or whatever the case may be, but if they were unsure they should have contacted their financing company to figure it out rather than giving false or inaccurate information. I was trying to refinance my house and that is now completely out of the option because again, I have not only one but two unauthorized hard inquiries on my credit. Thanks Guitar Center!

I ordered a guitar through them on Feb.17. Shortly after the email confirming my purchase I got an email stating that it was "out of stock" and "on backorder" and they would notify me when available. So about a week or so later I call just to get an eta and the customer service rep said rough estimation I should have it around March 10th. No big deal. I was already waiting why not wait a little longer. I bought it at good price on press day weekend so it selling out could be suspected I suppose.

Searched online for a keyboard for Christmas Present. Chose Guitar Center for really great looking package deal. Nowhere in the online description did it mention that any part of the package was not in stock. After I placed my order I received an email that the item was back ordered. Hmm. Today (12/3) checked online and see that the keyboard is showing up as in stock so I contact customer service via their chat feature. I soon learned that they had all of the package EXCEPT for a learn to play CD... that item wouldn't be in until Jan 17th!!! So I asked if I could get the rest of my order shipped... I even offered to pick up the CD at a local store when it arrives. No. Won't ship partial order (this even though their email says they may ship separately). So I asked if they would cancel the CD part and ship the rest. NO. They won't do that. Okay fine... You just lost a sale and earned poor reviews! So I've canceled.

The subject says it all! Guitar Center uses Music123 on eBay to farm personal info so that they can directly market their low quality bargain bin crap grade products to you by "junk mailing" etc. Music123 is owned by GC and has a fairly large presence on eBay unfortunately. Only as a last resort and for small cheap items like mic cables or a single set of strings will I buy anything from GC. I have had very disappointing experiences dealing with lazy or incompetent sales reps in GC. On one experience, I was interested in a powered PA speaker. I asked the rep to plug it in so I could test it. He was so ** lazy, he gave me a hard time about plugging in a mixer/cables to test the cabinet! Seriously!!! Do your job you lazy piece of **.

SOLD COUNTERFEIT BC RICH INSTRUMENTS!!! After a positive, near 40-year relationship with GC Hollywood, I feel the need to disclose the details of a very disturbing situation. In 1993, A GC customer purchased four BC Rich USA instruments from that location. In or about 2010 or 2011, he returned with them claiming that they were counterfeit (fakes). David **, a decades long employee and one of the sales people who initially sold the instruments, refunded him 10K and took possession of the products. Mr. ** then put them back out for sale in the store. In 2011, I purchased one of them, a 1993 build, BC Rich USA Bich Supreme. He informed me of the history of the first buyer and I insisted on a purchase order copy from GC showing BR Rich itself provided them the guitar in order to avoid any future confusion as to the instrument's legitimacy.

When I received the Vocalist Live 4 Vocal Harmonizer Vocal Processor (1) unit I order it didn't come in the box it was showed with, didn't have the booklet it was showed with, and it had a power adapter that was incorrect voltage and amperage. It won't work without the correct power adapter. Connector wasn't even close, called, the guy seemed very helpful. A new power adapter was shipped completely, wrong again.

We just want to thank Chris and Guitar Center in Sterling, VA for consistently providing such a nice environment in the store and great customer service. Chris is always willing to help. We had a problem with an input jack, and he fixed it. When there was another issue to be addressed with the same jack, he fixed it without charging us anything. Another time, he helped fix our acoustic electric--I was out of there in ten minutes for less than $10.00. Unbelievable. Chris and his GC staff are honest and are truly more interested in helping than just making a buck. Our new favorite store!! Thank you all.

Bought a brand new Squier Vintage Modified P bass 2 months ago. My hands are small and the neck is too thick. Went to trade it for a Jazz bass. This bass was $299. The Jazz is $349. Took it into Pasadena GC, they offered me $85!!! It's in new condition! They just lost a customer!!

After problems with purchasing a gift card, this organization was unable to find my order, even though I had purchased it with my credit card. They were exceptionally unhelpful and incompetent. I ended up having to file a dispute with my credit card company to get my money back. I will never ever buy anything from them again.

I have been spending lots of money with GC. I was shopping for a karaoke machine for my wife. I got a call right after I purchased this clearanced item a VocoPro for 129.00. The reg price was 229.00. Saying he didn't have it in stock he was cancelling my order. Not only did he ruined the surprise he really pissed me. I made contact and was told my order was in process and would be there on Friday. I got a call telling me it was a customer return that was not working. I told him, "You need to fix this. You pulled the same crap with the Harbinger personal Pa." Kept advertising one for $149.00 that they never had and talked me into a $229.00 one. It won't ever happened again.

The Guitar Center always puts the drums where they don't belong (In all the stores I've been in)! They get kids and older, that simply always play too loud and the guitar players can't hear whether or not the guitar is worth buying. A terrible set-up to say the least. The powers that be should place drums in a separate room, only to themselves! Just a terrible setup Guitar Center, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Then I have to wait 2 hours on the phone to their main center, and they don't answer complaints. What losers!!!

I have been dealing with GC for a long time and although, the quality of customer service varies slightly from store to store, I have found GC to be, hands down the absolute BEST vendor of Guitar related gear. First, it carries numerous manufacturers' products. Second, if they don't have it in stock, they get it promptly and THIRD their return policy is second to none. I can have a couple of different manufacturers' products simultaneously to AB them in my actual application environment, and then return the one I don't want for a return of my FULL purchase price and there are sufficient bricks-and-mortar stores that it's not an undue burden to this.

Bought a Mustang amplifier, after inspection I found a hole in the dashboard so I asked the salesman to replace it. He went back get a another one. Trusting these people will not cheat me, I bought it. When I get home the amp is the one I returned with the hole in the dash. It was too far away for me to return so I just accept I was ripped off. Do not buy with cc or debit. They will rip you off.

I traded & got ripped off when I returned what I purchased after only having it over the weekend. They said they sold my trade. Now I am out my trade & because I lost the discount of 10% for trading in you got my guitar for far less than I would have sold it for. I have complained but all I get back is "See your store." They are the ones who ripped me off! They won't help! This was one bad deal that I will never forget or live down. Right now I have never hated a company more than GC!! I will do all I can to put you out of business. That's my mission!! PS, the manager was a jerk & your policies suck! Goodbye.

I bought an item and couldn't find my credit card at check-out. The next day they called and informed me that the credit card fell out of my wallet. I really thought nothing of it, so the next day I picked it up. I hardly ever used the card, but there was a large online purchase a couple of months later. I could not prove a thing, but I am convinced that the card was compromised by someone working there. Again, I cannot prove a thing. I bought many items there. Not one item I ever purchased came in a box. I asked different sales guys each time why. I was always told that it was a close out item, they don't make it anymore, it's a collector's item. How would I know if this is really a new item?

This is the absolute worse service I have ever had, I would not ever recommend this company to anyone. I am contacting the Better Business Bureau about this company for all of the lies they have told and how terrible the service was. I ordered a guitar as a gift and it showed it was available to find out I was actually put on back order. Two months later and about 50 calls later with different stories each time I talked with an online rep, I was called to find out Takamine just discontinued shipping them the guitar? I don't think so.

I have been looking for a bass for my son's 18th birthday for weeks. He wanted a fretless, 6-string bass. At 8:50am on Friday April 15th, I found the perfect one on Guitar Center's used equipment page and bought it on the spot. I then called the store to confirm they got the order and talked to the manager who was the only one there because the store wasn't open yet - it didn't open until 10am. She said they would ship it out on Monday. I said no problem. My credit card was charged. On Sunday, I get a call from another guy who claims to be a manager at this Guitar Center who tells me the bass was sold in the store at the same time I placed my order. I told him that couldn't possibly have happened because I ordered the bass before the store was open. I explained this was a very important birthday gift and he needed to call the customer and have them bring it back to the store and ship it to me. He refused. He said they don't do that. It's not store policy.

I placed an order online for pick up in store same day. Two hours later, it show as out of stock. No call, nothing. The email said it would arrive in store for me to pick up in 3-7 days. What happened to in stock, pick up today? I called the customer service for online orders. He switched my order to a different Guitar Center which had the item in stock. Two hours later, same thing. The stores never had any in stock. This is fraud in my opinion. I only ordered from them so I could pick it up the same day. If I had to wait I would have ordered from another place online that offers things like free cables with a purchase. So they scammed me into thinking I could get it today when I couldn't.

Hey guys, I just wanted to let everyone know not to make any purchases from www.guitarcenter.com, especially when it comes to used gear. In the past year and a half, Sam and I have made several purchases on the site, which have gone horribly for us. First Sam purchased a used Les Paul which we then found out was sold in the store the next day before it was shipped to us. A friend, who works at GC explained that this happens a lot, because the salesmen on the floor get commission, so they will sell an item, even if it is awaiting shipment, to make the commission. Sam also made a purchase of a bass recently, which was guaranteed to be delivered in time for Christmas. Guess what? It wasn’t.

This is my in-depth review of Guitar Center. They get one star because that is the minimum allowable rating. I must say I hope this company goes under. I also will say that I regret every penny I have given them. Foreword: Guitar and music is a favorite hobby of mine. I work hard to find extra money to buy nice guitars and gear. I have a couple of Music Man Petrucci models currently. I bought them from Sweetwater and Musician's Friend. I must say that SW is great and MF - regardless of connection with Guitar Center, is great as well.

I'm looking to purchase a banjo case. Just my luck, they have a good case on sale for $40.00. My credit card is out and I'm ready to pull the trigger. Guitar center recommends I check out this open box version for 10% off. Sure. Why not. It's a case, what could go wrong? So I switch to the open box version. A week goes by and I get a cancelation notice on my order. "We don't have it anymore. Sorry."

This is the last time I will order online with Guitar Center. I'm taking my business to Sweetwater, where they excel at customer service. I ordered a discounted 'open box' effect unit for an upcoming gig. I received it Wednesday. Removed the 'Quality Tested and Inspected' sticker, plugged it in, and heard a high pitch squeal. The squeal did not go away, tried different cords, guitars, amps, outlets. Definitely a defective unit. Called customer service and explained the situation. They said I would have to return it. I asked for a new one at the same cost, and to be expedited. They refused.

Follow up to 1-10-2016 post: I had a failed A40 acoustic amplifier bought less than 3 months ago from Guitar Center. After finding out that Guitar Center doesn't support manufacturers' warranties after 45 days, I emailed Guitar Center (on a Sunday) with my complaint. The store called me the same day and agreed to take it back and get me a new one. While I still don't like their policy, or the fact that it is not stated on their website or at the time of purchase, or that I had to push to get satisfaction, I was surprised and impressed at the response.

The website named the keyboard as Yamaha CLP 465 GP from Guitar Center store in Fayetteville and I stay in Boston, so placed an order on 23rd of September 2015. After it was shipped (took 1 week), turned out to be CLP 920, with edges ripped and couple of keys popped out, no power cable/supply and so no way to test. Was told that it was tested before shipping and is in good condition. They said, they'd ship power supply next week and did not receive it for a whole week. Called them and was told there was misshipment and was enroute but they'd ship overnight another power supply. Got the power supply and it doesn't work.

This all started out as a anniversary gift from my wife. She asked me what I wanted and she said, "let's go and get it." I had been looking for this amp for some time and it just happened to show up on Guitar Center's web site right before our anniversary. So we drove 60 miles round trip to purchase Amp, along with repair plan. Upon getting home discovered it had a problem with amp as it would not always work. Would turn on OK, but sometimes, even without guitar plugging in I could turn the adjustment knob it would lock up and quit functioning. Contacted location where I purchased it. Said I needed to contact Pro Service 866-257-6551 for repairs. Contacted Pro Service. Said that needed to take back to Guitar Center as the store warranty is still in effect.

Gets one star only because there are no zeros. Totally incompetent. If it had stock I would short it! I bought a baritone ukulele, which was on display. First day a string broke. They would not replace it, so I had to buy one. Next I ordered a gig bag advertised on sale in their catalogue for the ukulele. It took several weeks to arrive because of back order. Next I ordered a hard case - also took several weeks. I complained to the store and then I received 2 cases. They charged me for both, so I had to send one back. More strings broke, but they were sold out! How does this happen? So they ordered me a couple of sets - supposed to arrive in 5-7 days. It has been over 2 weeks and no strings. I think I will find someplace new to take my business even if it costs more.

I order Numark NS7II 4-Channel Motorized DJ Controller and Mixer from Guitar Center. I pay for 2 day express on 10/27. 10/28 all clear for shipping... today is 10/30. I call asking, "Where is my item?" They said (I spoke with the store and spoke with the Operations Manager, who handles shipments. He said that the store just became aware of the order and that he is going to send it out today, to make sure that it gets to you tomorrow). So they take your payment and they don't process the order? This is my first and last time I buy from GUITAR CENTER.

I purchased a "new" DJ controller Numark ns7ii for $1,600 with the 2-year warranty. It had multiple missing parts (Allen wrench, spindle screw, spindle wrench, and user manual) as well as having multiple issues with the crossfader and the output. Once I realized all of this I contacted them and they refused to replace it even though I bought the warranty. They said they can only repair it. They sold me used gear at full price and would not work anything out with me besides repairing it. So if you want to buy used music gear for full price Guitar Center is the place for you.

Worst experience period. I've worked in customer service for several years myself and I would never EVER treat a customer with so little respect especially a customer spending hundreds the way this staff has treated me. Walked in looking to spend a grand, left NEVER looking to do business with Guitar Center again.

On Friday, 10/2/2015 I bought a Used "1966" Pelham Blue Epiphone SG 400 PRO for $249 plus shipping and tax! What a deal! Excellent condition! I happily pulled my card out and purchased it. 300 dollars charged to my card, immediately. 5 minutes later I get a email: "Hello Coty, Thank you for your recent order. We have yet to receive the out-of-stock item(s) noted below, but we have more on order with the manufacturer. We will ship them to you as soon as we receive them. We appreciate your patience. If you need further assistance with your order, please call 866-498-7882."

So I went to GC in N. Attleboro, MA. Looking at the Pioneer DDJ-SP1, about a $300.00 unit. So I ask, "is the sales person for DJ department here today." No. "Ok, can anyone help me with questions about this unit?" "I sold two of them," he says. I ask, "but you know anything about this unit?" (I just get a dumb look.) "Can we connect it to an existing setup for me to check out?"

Let me preface by saying that I try to be positive when dealing with bad situations, but Guitar Center makes me question that. I'm 20 now, but I’ve been going to GC for all my music equipment since I was 12 so it's not like I'm completely new to the store. I got my first multi-effects unit there, my first digital recorder (which I still use to this day), a few guitars, and a bass. When I bought my bass, there was a large fiber of clothe or something caught in the finish in the bottom corner of the bass, so my dad and I negotiated with the sales rep and he was able to knock off like $30 or something like that, which was nice, and thus proving that NOT ALL employees outright refuse to negotiate prices.

I bought an expensive bass for my son in May. I was on the website, picked it out, and went in to apply for credit as they were having a special on 18-month interest free financing. I was assured numerous times that I would not be charged interest. You guessed it, the bill came and a whopping 24.9% interest had been applied. When I called the manager he insisted there would be no problem, that he would contact corporate, apply for the no interest, and call me back. Assured me he had never been turned down on a request. That was June 1. It is now August 13 and I have still not heard from the manager and I am still being charged interest. Had to roll the balance over to a card that stood by their promises. I will never shop there again.

OK. I have bought 7000.00 worth of music stuff from Guitar Center in last 6 months plus I was going to buy a whole lot more but after the way they have treated me, BS. I have bought 5 Mackie mixer boards and this last one is a joke so last night I called them said I had gigs to do this weekend, board is down and I need to do something quick. Well their answer was, "Bring that one back and we will get another ordered for you." I said, "That won't work, need one now but I sure don't want a Mackie again." So I told them I would take a Yamaha. Said, Ok" and I said that I got to have another to get me thru the shows.

Guitar Center is one of the best guitar stores I've used in the past 40 years with their great selection of guitars and competitive prices. However, when it comes to selling back the guitars you purchased regardless of how new or if they are in mint condition you get ripped off. If you are lucky you get one third of what you paid for. Last month in a effort to downsize and upgrade my guitars I sold back a Cordoba GK Studio, a Strat MIM, a Breedlove Atlas Solo, a Tele MIM and a low end Fender Frontman 112r amplifier - all in mint condition and purchased in less than one year. Collectively these items cost me approximately $2500, I received $600.

The store near me (Wilmington, DE) has a wide selection of merchandise and fantastic customer service. The guys there are pretty knowledgeable and they will often work with you to beat competitors' pricing. I recently had an issue with a keyboard I ordered from a store in California. The guys at the Wilmington store not only helped me to work through it, but they also gave me a great deal on a case. The keyboard itself was an excellent bargain too, by the way. Anyway, the experience was so positive that I had to share it here.

Waited a month for my guitar repair. Paid premium prices and then some. Felt it was a poor repair job right from the start but nobody was interested in hearing if I was satisfied before leaving the store. Had so many problems with the guitar. I finally took it to another repair shop. They told me that the bridge was installed backwards. That's what was causing all my problems. I wish I could get my money back from the guitar center repair, and I wish guitar center would pay for the technician who corrected their mistake. And the guitar is a vintage 1987 Ibanez. A unique strap button was never returned to me.

Like everyone else I kept giving Guitar Center a chance to redeem themselves. I arrived at the store today 7/3/2015. Looking to buy a pretty expensive guitar. But wanted to trade one I bought from Guitar Center about 8 months ago. I was told by their "skilled tech" the neck was bad and they didn't want anything to do with it. When I explained I bought this 8 months ago and none of my other guitars have neck problems and they are all stored in my studio! I told their tech that I will never spend a dime at their stores and I will take my $1200 to Sam Ash and deal with actual musicians that want help. By the way the guitar was taken to Sam Ash and was given a clean bill of health!

Guitar center is BULL!! I bought 2 items WITH CASH and both of those items did not work.... I was given 2 separate checks as a refund... I PAID CASH!!!!! And I was given 2 CHECKS!!!! Checks cost money to cash $7 a check!!! Nowhere on this receipt does it say that refunds will be given in the form of a check.... I called the "corporate office" which is not the corporate office it's the com... screening the calls for corporate!!!! The only resolution this company has come up with is to call the store and have them write me 1 check!!!! I PAID CASH!!! So now you want to have me drive all the way back to your store wasting gas and time and more money both ways to get 1 check WHEN I PAID CASH!!! Everyone that I spoke to in the process has had an idgf attitude and a bunch of huffs and puffs and smart ass remarks... Do not buy anything from Guitar Center.... spend your money somewhere it's deserved!!!!

I made a purchase on the 22nd of April and I paid through my PayPal account. I wanted to change the shipping to in store so that I could get the guitar sooner and they said they could do it and next thing I know, I get an email saying my order was canceled. And then I did another purchase but through my credit card so that I could pick up the purchase in the store. I called them on the 26th and they tell me they will have it overnighted to the store and to call to make sure it was in the store. I call the store and I was told that my purchase was in the store but that I would have to pay for it again because they canceled my order.

DO NOT PAY CASH!!! Paid cash for a Peavey subwoofer and returned it 5 days later. Was told they could not return my cash but would issue a check. Waited 20 minutes to get the check and was told to go to the Wells Fargo bank up the street and they would cash it with no problem. The check was drawn on Wells Fargo bank so I went there. After over 30 minutes of aggravation and giving them 3 pieces of ID, I was told there was a $7.50 charge because I was not a Wells Fargo customer. I called Guitar Center and their attitude was that's the bank's policy and changed their attitude to that's the way it is. I was a loyal customer of Guitar Center, but I will not step foot in their store again.

The plan is actually just a "return postage paid to manufacturer plan". I bought a Blue Spark microphone and a 2 year "PCRC new 24 month ADH REPLACEMENT plan". I was told, upfront, by the employees that if anything happened in the 2 years I paid for that I could just bring the mic back for replacement. Problems developed with the mic and I took it in as advised. I was convinced to buy a new Mogami cable as a likely solution to the problem. In a few weeks I took the mic back to GC because I was still having noise issues and, despite the fact that it had just been statically mounted on my desk stand, the rear grille fell off. My wife and I took the mic back to GC again. GC employees gave my wife and I a phone number and told us to call them and they would most likely issue an e-check to us. The employees were actually very cordial.

It seems the big dog Guitar Center is out to make everything more expensive for working musicians. As the company that has bought up all of the competitors GC has decided that discounts and customer loyalty and relationships are no longer important to them. Being able to negotiate some better pricing on equipment acquisitions becomes essential if you are one of the musicians that likes to update and upgrade your equipment. But through the new management this element of the pro music buyer and seller process is now eliminated by GC. For more than 50 years this has been the way business is done, and has nurtured the idea of customer loyalty between pro music customers and vendors.

I have had a mixed experience in dealing with Guitar Center both online and in Maryland. I've had no issues with the used pedals and guitars I've bought online, but my issues seem to arise when I deal directly with a store. First off, these people are sales people, don't ever forget that, and some are very knowledgeable about what's in the store and some are not (I've had one guy turn the volume control up on a Fender amp for the wrong channel, and had no idea where the power switches were).

I have angrily said this before, but this time I have made a conscious decision not to shop at Guitar Center. Why you may ask? Well let me tell you why! At the Tempe location I tried a used Guild Starfire III guitar without case for $1500. It was nice, played well, a little scuffed, but okay. But $1500? That seemed extremely high. I checked Zzounds and Sweetwater to see if they sold a brand new Starfire and to my delight they did. Not only did they sell the guitar, but it came with a hard shell case and was $1100. Also, easy payments available as well. I checked Ebay for used Starfire III guitars. There were dozens, all in the $850 price range. These also included cases.

Another miserable Guitar Center experience that I have to share/warn people about. I've been looking for a Gibson Explorer and found the exact one I was looking for at GC, LONE TREE COLORADO. I called after noticing the guitar online and available in the store. The CLERK (not a professional by any stretch) said the guitar was new and in MINT condition. When I arrived this afternoon, the Gibson Explorer was far from new condition/mint: The pickguard wasn't seated properly and when I asked about it, the CLERK said he tried to make it flush, it was Gibson's fault. New hole(s) would have to be drilled to seat the pickguard properly. The guitar was riddled with scratches where the strings were put on and on the body of the guitar. There was a heavy "ding" on the bottom where someone either dropped it or bumped in to something.

Bridge ripped off Cordoba C5-CE while it was sitting in guitar stand. I purchased this guitar online 10/18/14, played it 3 times and the tags are still on it. I called Cordoba and they stated that they would credit the store so I could save the packing and shipping costs along with the 3 week wait to get the guitar back. I called GC early Wednesday morning 3/11/14, and gave them all of my information and was told they would call right back. I never heard back so I called them late Thursday 3/12/14 and was told that if I had purchased the pro package, they would swap it out. The guitar has a 3 year warranty so the pro package is an unnecessary expense. So now I have to pay for packing and shipping and wait 3 weeks to get the guitar back when Cordoba was willing to credit them. Thanks!! Guitar Center "Great Customer Service".