You get one wish from Guitar Center.........

[Big Poppa]

THank you Phil we were coming off as old farts...it is a rock and roll guitar store not a Borders

[sloshep]

I think a dedicated electronic tuner with a cord in the bass section and guitar section would go a long way.

I also like the kiosk idea allot. It would be great to be able to see what is in the GC network of stores. I can't always get to the bigger stores in my travels. The Visalia, Ca store is only a half hour away from me. I would like to give them the business since they are local.

On a side note the Visalia store is really trying hard to do it right. I have so far found the staff very engaging and willing to help.

[RealDeal]

This is the most interesting thread I've ever seen posted in a bass forum.
I'm happy to have a word or two.

Mr. Albertson, I worked for you, albeit briefly as a Sales Associate. And although GC takes a fair amount of bashing sometimes, I'd like to say that as a business model, and a retailer, it's a superb example of how to do business.

The Employee experience at GC can be whatever the individual makes it. With a TREMENDOUS Customer base and unequalled inventory, a Sales Associate can make a lot of $$, do a lot of good, and have a lot of fun if he/she wants to.
They also have the opportunity to advance as far as they want to in the Company, with new stores opening constantly. There's opportunity to get involved in many different aspects of the Industry and have some input and say in what goes on at Department level, store level and beyond.

I left after a short term at GC for the wonderful world of performing/touring as a bassist, with all of its perks- Leaving famly and friends for months at a time, hotel/motel rooms and food for months, endless miles driving, driving, driving, playing amongst cigarette smoke, stale beer, and sometimes less than charming (or sober) crowds. But the good certainly outweighs the bad (it's about the Music) and when it hits the pocket- Game Over. Nothing like it.
Honey, could you please make the car payment? I'll be back in two weeks, and we get paid Sunday, I think.

Anyway- I wouldn't mind the music being set lower in the stores, and private rooms to try out gear would be cool if do-able. I also acknowledge the right of kids -and-adults- to blast out riffs- if that's what they wanna do- I mean, instead of going home and ummm- practicing???

BTW- Didn't EB/MM at one time have a program where they hired "independent contractors" I guess to set-up and maintain MM guitars and basses at GC's in a sector? Did that not last or fly?

Thanks for listening, and good Music to all.

'Deal

[MN246]

I visit the my local GC here in Beaverton, OR pretty regularly. In the 7 - 8 years I've been going there, I rarely see any EBMM guitars. I've been told by a member of the staff there, that if they ever have a JP in stock it will be a special order. I can understand that production limitations at EBMM may not allow all the stores to have all the models in every color. It would be nice if there were at least a couple of instruments on display.

On the Music Man side of things, since there are limitations to how many guitars can be shipped, how about some brochures that have accurate color samples of the finishes available. I'm about to order a new JP6, and I've had a really hard time deciding on color since most of the finishes I've only seen online. With so many factors affecting how the image finally looks on my screen I really don't know what I'm ordering.

[Leftybassist]

yeah color sample swatches on little peices of wood!!!!!!!

[Steamthief]

Originally Posted by stretch80

More frequent setup checks/fixes. Basses are often terribly set up in the GC near me.

+1000!

GC is the only store where I have played EBMM basses with wicked dead spots.

It also wouldn't hurt to have the kids who are right outside the front door chain smoking butts to pick up a polish cloth and wipe down a guitar with nasty fingerprints all over it.

[Marty Albertson]

I must say that this thread has been one of the most valuable exchange of ideas and constructive criticism I have experienced. Getting first hand knowledge of your store experiences will help us to significantly improve our stores. I am realistic and recognize that many things will take time to improve but at least we know with great clarity where to put our efforts. I can't thank all of you enough for your candor and open approach to helping. We will take to heart your suggestions and strive for 100% satisfaction. I have passed all of these on to our full staff so we can begin to prioritize and develop plans to make improvements.

[tkarter]

My real wish is for GC to pipe loud music that is really good into every store.

Those trying things out can play along or go home.

Sweet Home Alabama on the hour every hour.



tk

[bovinehost]

Originally Posted by Marty Albertson

I must say that this thread has been one of the most valuable exchange of ideas and constructive criticism I have experienced.

As some of other guys have said already, Marty - thank you for listening. To have the negative along with the positive right up here on the internet has to be a bit nerve-wracking, but it seems to me that the overall response has been positive.

We old geezers can bitch and gripe about the music being too loud (if only my mother could see this) and fingerprints on the tuning keys and the scones being a bit stale, but we've had more than one "Guitar Center" thread and my outlook has always been the same - I don't want to go back to the 70s. I want to be able to walk in and play the gear without being treated to the magic organ of Donny Wilson, entertaining the mall-goers with skating rink renditions of the songs my grandmother loved.

I don't want the basses hung where I can't get to them, and no one else does, either - not really. We just have to come to terms with what it MEANS to have the gear down where it should be.

I can't thank all of you enough for your candor and open approach to helping. We will take to heart your suggestions and strive for 100% satisfaction. I have passed all of these on to our full staff so we can begin to prioritize and develop plans to make improvements.

From the forum, thanks to you and BP for giving us an opportunity to have this discussion.

Jack

PS: Tkarter is kidding about "Sweet Home Alabama". If he's not, I'll burn his Bongo.

[tkarter]

LOL I was kidding. But still you wouldn't last 5 minutes in Kansas Jack,

tk

[Big Poppa]

I am going to wrap this one up. As lukes private fantasy Gomer Pyle said, "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

You never know how good you Doctor, Lawyer, or Accountant is until you get sick, sued, or audited. I know how good this forum is because not one flame was thrown and the honest and open expression of your thoughts coupled with Marty, Ed's and Michael's really listening was impressive to say the least.

Marty, the validation you give this forum is tremendously appreciated. Many just dont get the concept of letting your guard down and actually getting involved with your customer. When others in the industry say I'm crazy I can say just like Marty!