Guitar Center used equipment

[Mojoe01]

Guitar Center sells used equipment (at least the one I go to does) so I'm assuming they buy off of customers. Does anybody know if they buy at fair prices, or would it be wiser just to sell on ebay or somewhere to pull in a more reasonable price? If the price isn't an issue, it would be nice just to be able to sell directly to GC and avoid the complications of online auctions, etc.

[bvc310]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

Guitar Center sells used equipment (at least the one I go to does) so I'm assuming they buy off of customers. Does anybody know if they buy at fair prices, or would it be wiser just to sell on ebay or somewhere to pull in a more reasonable price? If the price isn't an issue, it would be nice just to be able to sell directly to GC and avoid the complications of online auctions, etc.

No, theyre prices for purchasing typically arent fair. They usally pay 1/4 retail for an item or less and will turn around and sell it for 1/2 retail on a used item. Stick to Ebay or private sales for your gear. I have however, found great dealson used gear there. I always check out their used guitar rack when I first get there since they often mismark things and I have found various amazing deals (which I should have capitalized on, but thats another story) such as an American Custom Shop Shecter P-Bass for $400 (labled as an import) and a MIJ 62 RI Strat for $350.
Good luck,
Brian

[Robert S.]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

Guitar Center generally pays 50% of what they think they can get for a piece, and they have a book that states retail values of used pieces depending on condition.

Unless you are adept at getting GC to dramatically lower their retail costs on gear purchases trade ins are generally an expensive way to go and you'll do much better selling your gear outright to a second party and then spending the cash at GC.

Not only that but trading in gear is a weak position to be in from a haggling standpoint and nothing negotiates price like cash in hand.

[Mojoe01]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

Thanks for he info guys, thats pretty much what I was expecting to hear.

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

I think you'll find most places do what Guitar Center does. I asked GGuitars how much I could get for my Gibson Les Paul Standard with upgraded Seymour Duncan Antiquities.

They said, that if it's in good typical condition, around $500

$500 FOR A GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR F*&($%G MIND?

Needless to say, I sold it on eBay and got $1180.

[nuntius]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

the reason they do this is because they get new ones at exceptionally cheap prices.

i asked to trade in my squier strat and they said £40 pounds maximum if it was in perfect condition.

they said the reason was that they got new ones in for £40 anyway... so i suppose its keeping the business profitable

you'd make more money selling stuff elsewhere but if you really must trade in, at least you dont have to wait for someone to get the cash sorted while someone else could be buying your dream guitar outa the shop before you

[Mkf411]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

I wouldn't sell my gear to them. But I love their used gear with the 30 Day money back gurantee. You can't beat that.

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

Its not just guitar center that rips people off when they buy your used gear. all music stores do that. I would really recommend ebay. You'll always get a better street price rather than if you were to sell it off to a local music store.

[metal101]

Re: Guitar Center used equipment

Not even close to what its worth. I sold them [mind you they would only let me trade against something] a jackson PS4 and they said 75.00 it was in mint condition plus it had a duncan invader in the bridge. They said that takes from the value. But i didnt like it that much so i begrudginly took the 75.00 and put it towards the schecter.

If you can avoid selling or rather trading in your gear to them do so they are as crooked as crap when it comes to that.