Well, I had a terrible experience all around with this shop today. I was in the position that I needed a little bit of cash to make it through until the end of the month so I figured I'd borrow against a couple high end bass guitars that I own for a couple of weeks. I'd never done this before, and of all the sites I checked out Gelman's seemed to be the best put together and most explanatory. They also seem to deal in some high end stuff by the looks of their website. Plus, they make the claim, "If you are in need of a quick, secure and private loan "The Gelman Loan Office" is always ready to help." ... Well, let me tell you... Before I went I called a good 10 times, and every time the line was busy, but their site said they were open so I drove out. I got there, and there was a car parked out front for curiosities sake I called again still busy. I walked in as the other folks were walking out, and there were 2 people working neither on the phone. The guy was polite enough, and asks what's up, and I tell him I'd like to get a loan against my 2 basses. He then points to a sign that says no loans will be given out today, and proceeds to tell me it's because they have no money! What? ...He then proceeds to ask me how much I'm looking to borrow against them. Mind you he hasn't even laid eyes on them yet, nor does he even know the makes and models. I tell him, and he looks at the lady who very slightly shakes her head no. Soooooo, you can or can't give out loans? ... But the real kicker is he asks me if I could come back on Thursday, because the guy who deals with anything that has to do with buying instruments is only there on Thursdays! He only does computers and jewelry. Well, here is an idea stop wasting people's precious time and gas, and put that kind of information on your website. I left with a very forced smile on my face as I didn't know if I'd have enough gas to get home in rush hour, and was counting on striking some sort of deal with them. So, just for one more kick in the gut I stopped right outside their door, called them, and still busy. That might be another great piece of customer service, answer your phone. As far as the store was concerned there was nothing of high end quality in there, so I will not be returning with my basses because I'm sure they have no interest in them if they can't get them cheap and sell them cheap. I also believe the "no personal loans today" sign is a tactic to get desperate people who won't be coming back to reclaim their property to take less than it is worth. read more
