60th anniv Tele. For those who don't like G.C.

Acephspades · February 18th, 2007, 10:44 PM

Yesterday morning I decided that after 20+ years of playing it was time to actually buy my first American made telecaster. I have played cheap imported guitars for my whole life (with good results mostly) so I figured it was time for me to have a little slice of the good life. So I decided to go up to Kansas City and stop by Guitar Center. I actually only had the money for a Highway 1 tele and I made up my mind I wanted a sunburst with rosewood fretboard (I have always wanted a sunburst) but upon my arrival I could only find one with a maple neck. I was a little dissapointed but I knew Musicians Friend store and warehouse were just up the road so I was about to leave when a GC salesman asked if I needed some help. I asked if they had a Highway 1 sunburst tele with rosewood neck he checked the computer and no dice. I said that was what I wanted and I mentioned going to Musicians Friend because they for sure had one when the clerk asked if I had seen the 60th Anniversary tele (sunburst with rosewood neck) I said I saw it but it was more money than I wanted to spend. He went and looked at the tag and sure enough it was $1099. Just about the time I was going to leave he asked "what if I sold it to you for the same price as the Highway 1"? I just about crapped myself and before he could change his mind or consult management I laid out the cash. I know GC receives a lot of flack but this was a sweet deal.

Anyway I can't believe how nice quality instruments play. I have defended my cheaper guitars and some really are very good values but there is something to be said for these American made guitars. I had a gig last night and I wasn't sure I would actually take my new guitar because I thought it might be hard playing an unfamiliar instrument with only 2 hours to try it out before the gig but that thing was like putting on an old pair of shoes. It felt good from the start and with the rolled fret edges it was like a dream because I am used to new guitars having un-dressed frets that are sharp and uncomfortable. If I'd have known these American teles were this nice I would saved all the money I spent on cheap guitars and bought one good one years ago.

Long story short. GC from now on has earned my business.

Rock on · February 18th, 2007, 10:54 PM

nice story,

i got a free tele bridge pickup from GC if thats a good story

post pics!!

Rock on

Heather Anne Peel · February 18th, 2007, 10:55 PM

Yeah, the GC here has cut me some sweet deals, too. The manager asked me to "name a price" on a guitar he knew I wanted, and he actually gave it to me for that price, which was several hundred below the tag. Of course, they make a lot of money, due to the volume that they sell, but still I can't complain about GC. As I said in an earlier thread, I'd rather shop there than anywhere else these days. Congrats on your new Tele, sounds like a great deal!

Tom S · February 18th, 2007, 10:56 PM

Really nice guitar, really good deal. Congrats!

jwells393 · February 18th, 2007, 10:56 PM

Congratulation on the deal. I've made a purchase from the local Guitar Center. I'm really happy with the deal I made.

lunchbox · February 18th, 2007, 10:57 PM

That's an awesome deal!!!!

lunchbox · February 18th, 2007, 10:59 PM

My local music store just knocks the snot out of anyone's price. Those guys are the best!!!

lightice · February 18th, 2007, 11:07 PM

Thats a great deal, i heard fender are pushing their distributors to clear all 60th ann stock.

The shop over here is selling the 60th ann std strat at 300 USD including a practice amp, straps and picks.

fenderix · February 18th, 2007, 11:08 PM

Happy to hear when a fellow TDPRI:er makes a major score!
Congratulations on the purchase of your 60th Anniversary Tele, Acephspades!

I've read horrible stories about GC on these pages before. Apparently there is another side too ...
May we see some photos please?

hillsboroman · February 18th, 2007, 11:12 PM

You guys getting your deals at GC and don't even think twice about local business. What’s going to happen when GC makes all the independent music shops go out of business? There's not going to be no 300 bucks of a tele when they are the only shop around. You're just digging your own hole. I suppose if you're into employee’s who know nothing about the products and you don't want service after you purchase an item then GC is the place for you. For those of you that support local business thank you! And those that don't care I hope you get what you pay for!

I will be reporting this to my Fender rep.
That’s a good way for GC to loose their Fender license and that “sales” guy to loose his job! If I get enough of these to report it will just help to get rid of GC completely.

Acephspades · February 18th, 2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillsboroman

You guys getting your deals at GC and don't even think twice about local business. What’s going to happen when GC makes all the independent music shops go out of business? There's not going to be no 300 bucks of a tele when they are the only shop around. You're just digging your own hole. I suppose if you're into employee’s who know nothing about the products and you don't want service after you purchase an item then GC is the place for you. For those of you that support local business thank you! And those that don't care I hope you get what you pay for!

I will be reporting this to my Fender rep.
That’s a good way for GC to loose their Fender license and that “sales” guy to loose his job! If I get enough of these to report it will just help to get rid of GC completely.

I understand and agree with you Hillsboroman but for me Guitar Center is my local music store, which is still a 90 mile drive (remember I am from Kansas) which is about 15 miles closer than Musicians Friend, another mega distributor. As far as employees who know nothing about products my GC salesman actually set up my guitar before I left while I watched and he knew what he was doing. I was extremely impressed with him even though on the exterior he looked like an air-headed, "Dude", kid. He checked and set the intonation as well as the neck relief and he was dead on. No it wasn't major surgery but he took it seriously and was extremely helpful and knew his products.

But I don't feel it is your job to report this to a Fender rep, just be glad for someone who got a good deal for a change.

Tom S · February 18th, 2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillsboroman

I will be reporting this to my Fender rep.
That’s a good way for GC to loose their Fender license and that “sales” guy to loose his job! If I get enough of these to report it will just help to get rid of GC completely.

Good luck with that, hillsboroman. I'm sure Fender is going to jump all over GC.

GC has already put nearly all small guitar shops in my area out of business a long time ago. One good shop was smart enough to shift their concentration to vintage and high-end stuff, and lessons, and still remains strong. Another is probably hanging by a thread, and they won't be missed as far as I'm concerned.

As for the shops that went out of business, I say good riddance! They all sucked, with their pathetic inventory, ridiculous pricing, and horrible attitudes! While I have complained in the past about GC's staff, even at their worst, they were really no worse than some of the idiots who worked for many of the smaller shops. In the last few years, the local GC's staff has actually gotten to be very good. And at GC, I never had to put up with the arrogance so often encountered by the little guys.

Meanwhile, prices at GC have continued to go down. There are more lower priced guitars there now than there ever were, by far. They are in competition with other chains and the internet, and I'd say that low prices are going to be safe for a long time to come. And service? GC can set up any guitar if you ask, not that I ever would. And can you beat GC's return policy with no hassles?

I'm all for small business success, but the business has to give me a reason for wanting it to succeed. None of the deceased shops near me ever did. I won't miss them one bit.

Jellecaster · February 18th, 2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acephspades

But I don't feel it is your job to report this to a Fender rep, just be glad for someone who got a good deal for a change.

+1

jwells393 · February 18th, 2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

That’s a good way for GC to loose their Fender license

I seriously doubt Fender will stop selling to Guitar Center/Musician's Friend............. they probably do more volume than any other retailer of Fender instruments.

Quote:

As for the shops that went out of business, I say good riddance! They all sucked, with their pathetic inventory, ridiculous pricing, and horrible attitudes!

Bravo Tom ...........

jwsamuel · February 19th, 2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillsboroman

I will be reporting this to my Fender rep.
That’s a good way for GC to loose their Fender license and that “sales” guy to loose his job! If I get enough of these to report it will just help to get rid of GC completely.

And just what would you report them for doing?

Jim

kidA · February 19th, 2007, 12:48 AM

cut a deal at GC on a taylor 714ce the other day for a friend. 2200 out the door including tax with a hardcase after trading in a boss tuner pedal and a hardcase. The floor model was banged up and had high action so they ordered a new one but let my friend take the floor model to return later. I have to give them credit, they can do this kind of stuff with a huge inventory and sales volume.

Johnny Thunders · February 19th, 2007, 01:08 AM

We don't have GC here in Canada but as far as I know senior sales-people can change the price on guitars and most merch if they have the authority from above; just like cars. I bargain all the time here at Long & Mcquade for various gear and I can always get some money taken off the sticker price. It depends on who you know and if you are really serious about your purchase. When sales-people see the $$$$$, knowing you will buy, they will pay attention.

Congrats on your purchase, it sounds like fate and you can't fight that.

gtech · February 19th, 2007, 01:14 AM

Some time ago, I got a very good price for a guitar I felt in love with in a distant music store. But I didn't buy it right away.

2 weeks later, when I was sure I wanted it, I went to my local music store and asked him about their price for that guitar. Well, it was higher than the other store. You know how much? Enough that the dealer told me the price the other store was making me was lower than their cost... And they didn't have my color.

But before I left, the dealer asked me if he could talk to the store's owner before I'd leave. No prob I said.

When he came back a good while after that, he said he would order a guitar for me from the company and sell it to me at the same price the other store was making me.

When I asked about the details, he said that the store's owner called the guitar manufacturer and told them about the situation, they answered that the other store was ordering more guitars than him, thus was getting a better price. Anyway, after much discussion, they agreed on a better price for a batch of guitars to be sent to the store, including mine...

6 months later, I saw a guy at a gig with a guitar that was from that batch of guitars the store received with mine. Well... he paid more than I did.

That's how it works it seems. Selling more is the reason why some store can sell cheaper. They sell more because they have good prices, and they have good prices because they sell more.

Who's the winner? The buyer, then the store, then the manufacturer.

Oh, and nice deal that you did with that Tele.

When I tried a HW1, I would have bought a sunburst one but I didn't like the satin finish. But I could have said yes to a 60th anniv Tele I think. Does it have a gloss finish?

Gilles

aznrambo481 · February 19th, 2007, 01:26 AM

that's awesome. I should try that sometime

durango jon-boy · February 19th, 2007, 01:35 AM

Thats pretty cool of them. Once I bought a used amp from GC in Phoenix. It went sorta like this.

Clerk:Can I help you?
Me:Yeah, I wanna get this amp.
Clerk:Right On. Lets see if we can't lower that price for you. ($400)
Me:Cool
Clerk:How does $350 sound?
Me:Sounds Good.
Clerk:One second, let me talk to my manager....How about we make that $320?
Me:Awesome.
Clerk:One SEC......Alright, how about $300 even?
Me:Yeah. Sounds Good.

I didn't even ask for a discount or deal but they gave it to me. Those guys know where its at.

gtech · February 19th, 2007, 01:43 AM

Hey, it reminds me of another store that I always found they had higher prices than my fav music store until I asked why to a dealer I met in a gig once.

He told me they were only showing suggested prices, and that we had to ask for their real selling prices.

Gilles

zooropamofo · February 19th, 2007, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillsboroman

You guys getting your deals at GC and don't even think twice about local business. What’s going to happen when GC makes all the independent music shops go out of business? There's not going to be no 300 bucks of a tele when they are the only shop around. You're just digging your own hole. I suppose if you're into employee’s who know nothing about the products and you don't want service after you purchase an item then GC is the place for you. For those of you that support local business thank you! And those that don't care I hope you get what you pay for!

I will be reporting this to my Fender rep.
That’s a good way for GC to loose their Fender license and that “sales” guy to loose his job! If I get enough of these to report it will just help to get rid of GC completely.

What are you going to report them for? Cutting a deal?

Guitar Louie · February 19th, 2007, 01:54 AM

are you guys sure you mean guitar center? they not only don't offer me any deals but try to sell me dirty floor models for full retail. I finally stopped dealing with gc or mf, another pedaler of banged up rejects. the mom and pop shops are where to go.

lightice · February 19th, 2007, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitar Louie

are you guys sure you mean guitar center? they not only don't offer me any deals but try to sell me dirty floor models for full retail. I finally stopped dealing with gc or mf, another pedaler of banged up rejects. the mom and pop shops are where to go.

I seriously think its the store managers that are doing this. I think its the store managers that set the policies.

If the store manager has so

February 18th, 2007, 10:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Acephspades Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 417	60th anniv Tele. For those who don't like G.C. Yesterday morning I decided that after 20+ years of playing it was time to actually buy my first American made telecaster. I have played cheap imported guitars for my whole life (with good results mostly) so I figured it was time for me to have a little slice of the good life. So I decided to go up to Kansas City and stop by Guitar Center. I actually only had the money for a Highway 1 tele and I made up my mind I wanted a sunburst with rosewood fretboard (I have always wanted a sunburst) but upon my arrival I could only find one with a maple neck. I was a little dissapointed but I knew Musicians Friend store and warehouse were just up the road so I was about to leave when a GC salesman asked if I needed some help. I asked if they had a Highway 1 sunburst tele with rosewood neck he checked the computer and no dice. I said that was what I wanted and I mentioned going to Musicians Friend because they for sure had one when the clerk asked if I had seen the 60th Anniversary tele (sunburst with rosewood neck) I said I saw it but it was more money than I wanted to spend. He went and looked at the tag and sure enough it was $1099. Just about the time I was going to leave he asked "what if I sold it to you for the same price as the Highway 1"? I just about crapped myself and before he could change his mind or consult management I laid out the cash. I know GC receives a lot of flack but this was a sweet deal. Anyway I can't believe how nice quality instruments play. I have defended my cheaper guitars and some really are very good values but there is something to be said for these American made guitars. I had a gig last night and I wasn't sure I would actually take my new guitar because I thought it might be hard playing an unfamiliar instrument with only 2 hours to try it out before the gig but that thing was like putting on an old pair of shoes. It felt good from the start and with the rolled fret edges it was like a dream because I am used to new guitars having un-dressed frets that are sharp and uncomfortable. If I'd have known these American teles were this nice I would saved all the money I spent on cheap guitars and bought one good one years ago. Long story short. GC from now on has earned my business.

February 18th, 2007, 10:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rock on Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Barrington, RI Posts: 753 1 Photos	nice story, i got a free tele bridge pickup from GC if thats a good story post pics!! Rock on __________________ Jimmy Page = God

February 18th, 2007, 10:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,249 101 Photos	Congratulation on the deal. I've made a purchase from the local Guitar Center. I'm really happy with the deal I made. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

February 18th, 2007, 10:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
lunchbox Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Venice, Fl Age: 39 Posts: 549	That's an awesome deal!!!! __________________ TWANGALICIOUS!!!!

February 18th, 2007, 10:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
lunchbox Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Venice, Fl Age: 39 Posts: 549	My local music store just knocks the snot out of anyone's price. Those guys are the best!!! __________________ TWANGALICIOUS!!!!

February 18th, 2007, 10:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 45 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	Yeah, the GC here has cut me some sweet deals, too. The manager asked me to "name a price" on a guitar he knew I wanted, and he actually gave it to me for that price, which was several hundred below the tag. Of course, they make a lot of money, due to the volume that they sell, but still I can't complain about GC. As I said in an earlier thread, I'd rather shop there than anywhere else these days. Congrats on your new Tele, sounds like a great deal!

February 18th, 2007, 10:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,211 49 Photos	Really nice guitar, really good deal. Congrats!

February 18th, 2007, 11:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
lightice Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 462	Thats a great deal, i heard fender are pushing their distributors to clear all 60th ann stock. The shop over here is selling the 60th ann std strat at 300 USD including a practice amp, straps and picks.

February 18th, 2007, 11:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
fenderix Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,049	Happy to hear when a fellow TDPRI:er makes a major score! Congratulations on the purchase of your 60th Anniversary Tele, Acephspades! I've read horrible stories about GC on these pages before. Apparently there is another side too ... May we see some photos please?

February 18th, 2007, 11:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
hillsboroman TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 56	This is exactly whats going to happen.. You guys getting your deals at GC and don't even think twice about local business. What’s going to happen when GC makes all the independent music shops go out of business? There's not going to be no 300 bucks of a tele when they are the only shop around. You're just digging your own hole. I suppose if you're into employee’s who know nothing about the products and you don't want service after you purchase an item then GC is the place for you. For those of you that support local business thank you! And those that don't care I hope you get what you pay for! I will be reporting this to my Fender rep. That’s a good way for GC to loose their Fender license and that “sales” guy to loose his job! If I get enough of these to report it will just help to get rid of GC completely.

February 19th, 2007, 12:48 AM	#16 (permalink)
kidA Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NYC, Dallas Posts: 154	cut a deal at GC on a taylor 714ce the other day for a friend. 2200 out the door including tax with a hardcase after trading in a boss tuner pedal and a hardcase. The floor model was banged up and had high action so they ordered a new one but let my friend take the floor model to return later. I have to give them credit, they can do this kind of stuff with a huge inventory and sales volume.

February 19th, 2007, 01:08 AM	#17 (permalink)
Johnny Thunders TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Regina, Sask., Canada Age: 30 Posts: 48 5 Photos	We don't have GC here in Canada but as far as I know senior sales-people can change the price on guitars and most merch if they have the authority from above; just like cars. I bargain all the time here at Long & Mcquade for various gear and I can always get some money taken off the sticker price. It depends on who you know and if you are really serious about your purchase. When sales-people see the $$$$$, knowing you will buy, they will pay attention. Congrats on your purchase, it sounds like fate and you can't fight that.

February 19th, 2007, 01:14 AM	#18 (permalink)
gtech Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Age: 59 Posts: 1,999 173 Photos	Some time ago, I got a very good price for a guitar I felt in love with in a distant music store. But I didn't buy it right away. 2 weeks later, when I was sure I wanted it, I went to my local music store and asked him about their price for that guitar. Well, it was higher than the other store. You know how much? Enough that the dealer told me the price the other store was making me was lower than their cost... And they didn't have my color. But before I left, the dealer asked me if he could talk to the store's owner before I'd leave. No prob I said. When he came back a good while after that, he said he would order a guitar for me from the company and sell it to me at the same price the other store was making me. When I asked about the details, he said that the store's owner called the guitar manufacturer and told them about the situation, they answered that the other store was ordering more guitars than him, thus was getting a better price. Anyway, after much discussion, they agreed on a better price for a batch of guitars to be sent to the store, including mine... 6 months later, I saw a guy at a gig with a guitar that was from that batch of guitars the store received with mine. Well... he paid more than I did. That's how it works it seems. Selling more is the reason why some store can sell cheaper. They sell more because they have good prices, and they have good prices because they sell more. Who's the winner? The buyer, then the store, then the manufacturer. Oh, and nice deal that you did with that Tele. When I tried a HW1, I would have bought a sunburst one but I didn't like the satin finish. But I could have said yes to a 60th anniv Tele I think. Does it have a gloss finish? Gilles

February 19th, 2007, 01:26 AM	#19 (permalink)
aznrambo481 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla, California Age: 17 Posts: 2,868 6 Photos	that's awesome. I should try that sometime __________________ Check out my bands, and feel free to PM me comments on them! The Eclectics (guitar/vocals) SLIP (bass)

February 19th, 2007, 01:35 AM	#20 (permalink)
durango jon-boy Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Greatest state of Arizona Posts: 624	Thats pretty cool of them. Once I bought a used amp from GC in Phoenix. It went sorta like this. Clerk:Can I help you? Me:Yeah, I wanna get this amp. Clerk:Right On. Lets see if we can't lower that price for you. ($400) Me:Cool Clerk:How does $350 sound? Me:Sounds Good. Clerk:One second, let me talk to my manager....How about we make that $320? Me:Awesome. Clerk:One SEC......Alright, how about $300 even? Me:Yeah. Sounds Good. I didn't even ask for a discount or deal but they gave it to me. Those guys know where its at.

February 19th, 2007, 01:43 AM	#21 (permalink)
gtech Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Age: 59 Posts: 1,999 173 Photos	Hey, it reminds me of another store that I always found they had higher prices than my fav music store until I asked why to a dealer I met in a gig once. He told me they were only showing suggested prices, and that we had to ask for their real selling prices. Gilles

February 19th, 2007, 01:54 AM	#23 (permalink)
Guitar Louie Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Detroit Posts: 154	are you guys sure you mean guitar center? they not only don't offer me any deals but try to sell me dirty floor models for full retail. I finally stopped dealing with gc or mf, another pedaler of banged up rejects. the mom and pop shops are where to go.