I was at this location in June (2021) because I couldn't find elixir strings anywhere due to a supply chain issue. We live 5 hours north of this location and were headed home, decided to walk in, grab strings, get back on 35 and head north. I told my wife I'd be super quick.
I walked in, found the elusive elixirs I needed, set them in the counter and there were two staff sitting there BS-ing about how live shows aren't what they used to be.... I waited and waited. They would stop chatting, acknowledge me, and say "one second boss" and keep chatting. Then acknowledged me again and said "almost ready for you chief!"
They ended the conversation by one employee saying "cool bro, well I'm gonna go in break then." After waiting for about 7 minutes, just looking around while they had their chat, another customer jumps in and asks "can you get that PRS down for me? It's a bit high" the employee immediately jumped to help with the PRS guy. Left me standing there. He did say "I'll be right back to finish up with you ok boss?"
I've now been in the store 15 minutes for what should have been and in and out. My wife and 5 kids are in the vehicle debating going over to dicks sporting goods...
The employee comes back, does some price checking on his computer, gives me a head nod, goes back to the PRS guy.
I take my strings to each desk in the building and find no shortage of staff. But nobody engaged enough to check me out. Was I assertive? Absolutely. Did they seem like I was a priority? Nope. My total sale would have only been about $53 and it must've not been a BIG enough priority.
I set the strings down on the main desk so they would notice that the string guy walked out. And I left. Total of 27 minutes (yeah, because my wife was definitely taking notice of the length of time) and bought nothing. I also assume the employee came back to the desk and probably saw the strings, dumbfounded and said "huh, I wonder how these got left here!"
I vowed to never go back there. The above story is 110% accurate.
Fast forward to Saturday night, 7:15pm Feb 26th.
I was once again in the Roseville area and needed items for immediate use and I could not wait around for shipping. I decided to give GC a second chance. I wish I hadn't.
I needed a 22" drum head and a direct box. That's it. Another in and out. But the staff was chatting away with customers, hearing their stories, smiling and nodding at them, acknowledging that I was ready to check out and once again was called "chief" "boss" "pal" "bud" and perhaps a "yeah, you got it my guy" once or twice. It took 35 minutes. I was late for a dinner meet up and brewery tour. I told my wife and friends this would be a fast "in and out" visit. She laughed. She was right...
I'm wondering if this is sales tactic? Because in my boredom I grabbed some drum mutes... didn't need them at the moment. But eventually I might. Then in my boredom I grabbed extra strings (those elixirs I needed back in June), then some picks, drumsticks... a $142 purchase turned into a $290 purchase. So, if it's a sales tactic; "ignore the customer and perhaps they will buy more" then touché. It worked.
The employees need to get a grip on reality. They sat around putting their ego before the customer. I'm sure you're a great musician in a great band just waiting to get signed on a local label and be the next Motion City Soundtrack... but in the meantime, you've got a day job and you're making guitar center bad. Really really bad. Stop calling me boss and chief and pall and bud and then walking away for a smoke break while I'm set to check out (actually happened). If somebody says "I'm in a rush and need to get this and go" perhaps respond in a similar manner and help get that customer on the road. Guitar center was DEAD on Saturday night. Parking lot was nearly empty. I almost assumed they were closed.... Zero customer service. I'm wildly dissatisfied. I will just keep using online stores and hope I don't need things again in which I cannot wait for shipping.
I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars at GC in my life over the years. I'll just stick with Sweetwater. They seem to care. read more