NEW Killer Sale at Guitar Center

[METAL DRUMMER]

Just heard on the radio...

Pacific snare drum by DW...$29!!!

buy any Pearl drum set $399 or more...get another Pearl drum set, FREE!!!!!!!!!

You couldn't beat that deal with a stick...

[LIMPy]

How so. I used to work in retail. It basically means you're getting two drumsets for $200 a piece. The drumset is not worth $200, let alone $400, because GC still has to make money. Therefore your buying a crappy Taiwanese drumset (that they paid $100 for) with a Pearl logo on it.. to make you think its a better set. Some deal. You get an "ultra" crappy set and they continue to get richer by stompping out ma and pa music shops across the country. It's the American way! It's the Walmart way!

As for the DW snare, it's called a loss leader. They're betting they can make their money back by high-pressure sales once they get you in their store. I'm betting they'll do it. I know a manager of one of the GC's and they've driven him to the grave. They only make money off of commisions and the pressure to sell is so intense this guys on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I'm not exaggerating. I'm trying to get him to quit before he kills himself.

Have I mentioned I hate Guitar Center? Oh and I hate Walmart too.

[djsdrumrgrl]

old but hey they still have sales like this. i would say that i agree with limpy. when i went to guitar center just the other day to get heads that were supposed to be on sale to get a set of 4 heads plus a snare head free
for 20$. well it was the really already cheap brand. so when guitar center says "big sale come buy" in real life it's not that big of a sale. i'm not a hole heap smart at drum stuff. but i would say from my experience. save up and get the good stuff its cheaper.

[Roaddebris]

I've only been in a few GC's, San Jose, Modesto, & Sacramento, but I've never had any kind of high pressure tactics used on me.

Yes, Guitar Center does have a lot of cheapy stuff, but so does everyone else. In fact, with the exception of a really big mom & pop in San Jose, all the pivately owned stored I've been have virtually nothing but low to mid-priced new gear, with a few primo used items. How many mom & pop's can stock DW, Messa Boogie & Paul Reed Smith? It's usually more like Tama, Peavy, & Ibanez, or some brand you've never head of.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for small bussiness. As a consumer though, it usually makes more sence to buy from GC or Musician's Friend.

Where the mom & pops really shine is service. Lessons, tech advice, & repairs done on site are things that I get from the little guys. Unfortuneately, most just can't compete on the retail side.

BTW- I love Wall Mart & Costco too.

[djsdrumrgrl]

i like cabela's and bass pro shop!

[METAL DRUMMER]

Oh Yea!!!!! CABELA'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've bought all of my hunting clothing from them... $$$$$

[oakcrest ambassador]

I dont like Guitar center that much but it sucks because i have no where else to go. The next closest place is in Philly(i live in the atlantic city area). Example I was in there last night trying to buy some new palph Hardimon marching sticks(my favorite) when the store accociate is sitting there playing a drum set. I dont mind him playing when hes not busy but im trying to buy something and hes just sitting there watching me holding the sticks.

[Utopia]

that is not a reflection on Guitar Center but the individual employee....I've always found Guitar Center employees to be very helpfull

[Alien]

not at the one near me, half the time you cant find someon to help you unless and sometime they only have one guy for both deparments
i just like that they have a lot of drum stuff there

[Utopia]

poor management.....same as any chain....some places rock and some places suck based on the particuar managment at that particualar store

[oakcrest ambassador]

the one by me is pretty ****ty. ****ty employees

[Utopia]

that's too bad....the one i went to in Boise, Idaho was awesome...they should fire the manager of yours..

[Special K]

Don't you love the Guitar Center cymbal room? I love the sound you get from the chick of a high hat and 40 other cymbals playing the decay. Sounds awesome. Anyone else know what I am talkin' about?

[LIMPy]

How many mom & pop's can stock DW, Messa Boogie & Paul Reed Smith? It's usually more like Tama, Peavy, & Ibanez, or some brand you've never head of.

Actually the manufacturers won't sell to them for quite a long time if there is a GC in the area. A lot of people don't know this.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for small bussiness. As a consumer though, it usually makes more sence to buy from GC or Musician's Friend. Where the mom & pops really shine is service. Lessons, tech advice, & repairs done on site are things that I get from the little guys.

There won't be any mom and pops left if you don't give them your business. You can't have your cake and eat it too. With the exception of a few, the mom and pops can not survive long term on service and repairs.

BTW- I love Wall Mart & Costco too.

And I like Las Vegas, but I don't go there because I won't contribute to the decline of American morals and ethics in this country.

[LIMPy]

that is not a reflection on Guitar Center but the individual employee....

Utopia, the majority of the people I talk to consistently mention the lack of service in GC, therefore you're not just talking about bad management in a few stores, you're talking about a "serious" upper management problem that is affecting hundreds of stores across the US.

[Roaddebris]

There won't be any mom and pops left if you don't give them your business. You can't have your cake and eat it too. With the exception of a few, the mom and pops can not survive long term on service and repairs.


And I like Las Vegas, but I don't go there because I won't contribute to the decline of American morals and ethics in this country.

You may well be right, many may not survive. If there is a big enough demand for something there will be someone there to fill that need. If not, then that industry or company will go the way of buggy whip manufacturers. It would be cool if ther was still a Pony Express still in business, but even if there was I would would use U.S. mail, Fed Express, et al.

Also, as I've run a very small construction business in the past, I know first hand how hard it is to compete with the big boys. Yes, it really sucks to get shoved out of the way when you can't compete. However, not being able to cut the mustard doesn't make one moraly superoir to someone who can. I fail to see how the Starbucks & FootLocker's of the world are somehow on the same level with the strip clubs and brothels in Vegas.

Anyone who likes the idea of companies being "protected" from legitimate competition can always head over to China, Cuba, Vietnam, or S. Korea. How do you think the service is there?

As far as GC's service, I've had great service there and I've had lousy service there. There's a GC that I won't even go to any more because of the rotten service I recieved. They're far from perfect. They're run by imperfect people and franlkly, they tend to hire a lot of young folks who are not always as mature as they could be. Some of the store managers could use a leadership 101 course, or at least possess a personality. Again though, the very same thing can be said for many of the mom & pops I've been in.

I wish there was a GC closer to me so I could spend even more time in there playing a buch of expensive stuff I have no hope of actually buying. Too bad my local Chevy dealer won't let me do that with a Corvette!

[METAL DRUMMER]

And I like Las Vegas, but I don't go there because I won't contribute to the decline of American morals and ethics in this country.

Hey, I live in Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LIMPy]

Yes, it really sucks to get shoved out of the way when you can't compete. However, not being able to cut the mustard doesn't make one moraly superoir to someone who can.

I'm talking about people who only shop at the supercenters. I think it's socially irresponsible to not support small drum shops that are, in many cases, doing it much better than GC, only they can't usually beat their prices.

I fail to see how the Starbucks & FootLocker's of the world are somehow on the same level with the strip clubs and brothels in Vegas.

My comment wasn't meant to be an exact comparison. I'm asking what we, as consumers, are doing to be socially responsible. If you are tired of Walmart supercenters eating up small business, invading small towns, etc, (as many people are) why do so many people continue to give them their business? Similarly, if you don't want drugs, gambling, and porn to be rampant in our society, why do we go to Las Vegas and do those things? (or wherever) Do we really think that there are no consequences? Can't people see past their nose? It "will" have a long term negative affect on our society.

Anyone who likes the idea of companies being "protected" from legitimate competition can always head over to China, Cuba, Vietnam, or S. Korea. How do you think the service is there?

If by legitimate you mean "legal" then we also have thousands of crooked lawyers and business people skirting the law on an everyday basis through tax evasion, loopholes, etc. And they do it "legally". But does that make it right for our society? Do you think that Walmart or GC buying a guitar for $10 is fair when the ma and pa stores have to pay $100 for the same guitar because they can only afford to buy 12 instead of 12000?
Wake up and smell the coffee! If noone cared about the less fortunate in society then why do we continually help them through govenment programs and privately funded groups? I'm tired of people just accepting things that are handed to them because they say it's "legal" or because it's "always done that way".

As far as GC's service, I've had great service there and I've had lousy service there. There's a GC that I won't even go to any more because of the rotten service I recieved. They're far from perfect. They're run by imperfect people and franlkly, they tend to hire a lot of young folks who are not always as mature as they could be. Some of the store managers could use a leadership 101 course, or at least possess a personality. Again though, the very same thing can be said for many of the mom & pops I've been in.

We agree on this. Bad service (I don't care who it is), and I'm outta there.

[LIMPy]

Hey, I live in Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!!

Metal Drummer, I don't mean to knock your town but it is in fact the hub of gambling, porn, greed, and things that are not healthy for any society. If you live there, fine. If you support that lifestyle, then you and I are definitely at odds on that subject.

[Roaddebris]

. they can't usually beat their prices.

I have found in my own business that it usually does come down to price. If you are offering some kind of super exclusicve service, like custom built, high quality drums or guitars, then people may well line up to pay. But your average Joe consumer can't afford to pay extra for the same product delivered with a smile and a "see ya next week, Joe".

If you are tired of Walmart supercenters eating up small business, invading small towns, etc, (as many people are) why do so many people continue to give them their business?

I live in a pretty small town (approx 7,000). Actually, I live seven miles outside a small town, so you could say I live in the sticks. Since the local mom & pop stores of every kind have a virtual monopoly on the local business, their prices are high and the service is substandard. My wife & I long for the day when Costco, Wal-Mart, & Winco come to town. We'll be waving the local hacks a fond farewell.

If by legitimate you mean "legal"

No, I mean there's nothing unethical about beating the snot out of ones competitors, as long as it doesn't involve lying, stealing, etc. If I can get the widget manufacturer to sell his product to me for 50% less than everybody else because I have the bucks to buy 1,000 times more than anyone else, then bully for me. It would only make sence to turn around and pass that savings on to my customers, saving them from being gouged by Larry's Widget Boutique, and ensuring the financial welfare of my own family. It certainly would be unethical for me to get together with my competitors and set minimum price caps. That's what the oil companies do. I'd rather have businesses slug it out and let the consumer decide the winner.

Capitalism is a lot like democracy: it's the worst system in the world, except for all the other sytems.

[LIMPy]

But your average Joe consumer can't afford to pay extra for the same product delivered with a smile and a "see ya next week, Joe".

I disagree. I believe they can afford it. Doing the right thing, or the socially responsible thing takes a bit more effort and sometimes a bit more cost. It's no different than eating healthy. It simply costs a bit more. Anyone that tells you they can't afford to eat healthy is not being honest with themselves. Isn't it funny that they think they can't afford to eat healthy, yet they'll pay $3.00 for gas when it goes up.

I live in a pretty small town (approx 7,000). Actually, I live seven miles outside a small town, so you could say I live in the sticks. Since the local mom & pop stores of every kind have a virtual monopoly on the local business, their prices are high and the service is substandard. My wife & I long for the day when Costco, Wal-Mart, & Winco come to town. We'll be waving the local hacks a fond farewell.

I understand but I don't think you're trading up. I think it's a lateral move at best. You get better pricing but the country as a whole isn't better off.

No, I mean there's nothing unethical about beating the snot out of ones competitors, as long as it doesn't involve lying, stealing, etc. If I can get the widget manufacturer to sell his product to me for 50% less than everybody else because I have the bucks to buy 1,000 times more than anyone else, then bully for me. It would only make sence to turn around and pass that savings on to my customers, saving them from being gouged by Larry's Widget Boutique, and ensuring the financial welfare of my own family.

I don't think you see the forest through the trees. The Walmarts are like big government. There is nothing healthy about their dominance. Have you not kept up with the news on under-paid and under-benefited employees of Walmart. Have you not heard the stories of them "shoving" their way into small towns where the people collectively do not welcome them there? Have you not kept up with the fact that the reason their prices are so low is because a poor factory-worker in China works for 30 cents a day and can barely aford to feed their families?

It certainly would be unethical for me to get together with my competitors and set minimum price caps. That's what the oil companies do. I'd rather have businesses slug it out and let the consumer decide the winner.

In my opinion, that's a very selfish and counter-productive arguement. To be fair to small business I believe suppliers should be required to use map pricing. This is the only way to have a level playing field where our society (not just the customer) "truly" wins.

Capitalism is a lot like democracy: it's the worst system in the world, except for all the other sytems.

You're probably not going to like this but the older I get the more I see great disadvantages to capitalism. Now before you get your panties in a wad and start lecturing me, I'm very appreciative of where I live and the freedoms that I have. I didn't say capitalism is bad. But I happen to not think it's right that we have tons of millionaires around every corner, but around every other corner we have poor people and those that can't even afford health insurance for themselves and their family. That's a sad statement on our society.

[Utopia]

hey limpy, don't think that this is a lecture I just want to ask how you feel about something....have you ever been to china?.....I have and I can tell you from first hand experience that what we think is poor isn't even close.....u mentioned not affording health insurance as a sign of poor....tht's not poor, compared to 90% of the world that's rich....we are very rich and spoiled here in the US....and don't take our freedoms for granted either, i know u said you apprecieate living here, but do you really understand just how lucky you r? I hate the immoralities of capitalism just as much as the next guy, but times will change....humans and societies are always changing, now that we have the internet u don't have to shop at walmart and cosco....u can buy what u want when u want and for pretty much the price u want online...and just remember, freedom means that u can sell what u want where u want and how u want...if want businesses to be controled then u'll have to give up some freedoms that u enjoy.........just a thought...what do u think about all that I said?

[Roaddebris]

LIMPy, I hope I don't come off as lecturing. Also, even if I were wearing panties they wouldn't be in a bunch over this topic. We both have strong opinions on this issue, which is actually pretty cool (IMO).

Just don't try to tell me that rap is real music. I will go to the mat over that one!

[Utopia]

rap is definatly a form of art....whether u call it music or not

[LIMPy]

Just don't try to tell me that rap is real music.

Rap is real music. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)