So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

[blueman335]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

The sales guy also looked like a terroist! ;o)

Did you call the Department of Homeland Security? What do you think this terrorist is up to? Was he fiddling with his underwear a lot?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

Did you call the Department of Homeland Security? What do you think this terrorist is up to? Was he fiddling with his underwear a lot?

:lmao:

 

[Quencho092]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

I did the same thing at 3 different stores in miami and got the same response. They had no idea, then suggested the titanium strings, which aren't titanium wound anyway, just at the ball.

I think the cobalt strings is a big deal, to me the only 2 options in strings is really a bright roundwound set, or a flatwound set. Now there's something that actually tips the output scales a bit, it just might make a good set of pickups sound spectacular.

 

[thespricket]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

The accessories is in the guitar department...These guys don't read guitar magazines or get Musicians Friend catalogs(The sister company)? Piss poor... ;o) Thats why these places don't pay anything I guess?

I work at GC as the accessories dept. Even if they are near each other they are still two separate departments, with designated salesmen working for each. There are pretty strict rules about selling in different departments. It's basically a no no. Yea, it's not a great job. It doesn't pay well unless you're a good salesman and if you live in a area with good traffic. I get by ok.

I understand your frustration. Some people can get hired that haven't a clue about music or gear. Sometimes those people turn out to be decent. Most don't.

 

[B2D]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

Well there's your first mistake...

 

[blueman335]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

:lmao:

You laugh, but do you want to be standing next to a display wall full of hundreds of guitars when some guy's underwear bomb goes off and it starts raining guitars on your head? You can't be too careful. I see a guy with a wedgie and I'm outta there.

 

[Aceman]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

The way 'MY" was capitalized almost suggested some sort of ownership, like "How dare they run MY GC like that! I pay them to know everything and do everything to MY liking."

It's a Kmart/Walmart for guitars John...never gonna be the best place for service or information.

You could have taken the high road and told him about them so the next poor schmuck doesn't suffer.....

 

[DankStar]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

That kinda stuff doesn't bother me.

What bothers me is when I test out a super banged up les paul jr. and when I ask how much they're going to take off for it being all scratched and dinged they act like I'm trying to rip them off.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

+1. Not like they get any kind of rigorous training. Look at all the hours we've spent talking and learning about this stuff. Most players don't get excited about this level of minutia (whereas we have no qualms about getting in a fist fight over what others call 'splitting hairs' :14: ).

yeah seriously. We take 2 different pickups apart then put the halves together along a mag swap and pole piece change. Then we just think it's pretty good. Most ppl dont care that much.

 

[Kramer Guy]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

I guess I'm lucky. The Guitar Center that I go to in North Attleboro, Mass. has a very knowledable staff and is always on top of things. I've never had any problems with that store at all.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

The way 'MY" was capitalized almost suggested some sort of ownership, like "How dare they run MY GC like that! I pay them to know everything and do everything to MY liking."

It's a Kmart/Walmart for guitars John...never gonna be the best place for service or information.

You could have taken the high road and told him about them so the next poor schmuck doesn't suffer.....

I told the terroist about the new EB's.... ;o)

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

I guess I'm lucky. The Guitar Center that I go to in North Attleboro, Mass. has a very knowledable staff and is always on top of things. I've never had any problems with that store at all.

Well if I worked at our local GC,they would at least have one guy that knows his stuff... ;o) I'm an avid reader of Guitar Player,Guitar World,Vintage Guitar,get alot of catalogs from different places,years of experience playing,tweaking pedals,guitars,amps...On alot of forums and I do try to stay current and this includes boutique stuff....Watch alot of YouTube stuff also..I'm a gear geek and whore! ;o)

I also own a ton of books on guitars,amps,pedals....

 

[lex666]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

Well if I worked at our local GC,they would at least have one guy that knows his stuff... ;o) I'm an avid reader of Guitar Player,Guitar World,Vintage Guitar,get alot of catalogs from different places,years of experience playing,tweaking pedals,guitars,amps...On alot of forums and I do try to stay current and this includes boutique stuff....Watch alot of YouTube stuff also..I'm a gear geek and whore! ;o)

I also own a ton of books on guitars,amps,pedals....

You're over-qualified.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

You're over-qualified.

And that's why I don't work at any of the 2 Sam Ash or Guitar Centers locally..They can't pay me enough! ;o) It would ruin the hobby and fun of going into these places and looking around also..A good buddy of mine was manager of the Sam Ash south of me...He said I would hate working there... ;o)

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

No offense to the guys who work in music stores...Here's my feelings...If you work where the strings are sold and you are the guy handing me the strings,at least know about the products you sell...

As a Paramedic,it wasn't like I could tell the pt.that I couldn't treat them because I wasn't familiar with the meds....Lol...

If I was an employee,I'd make every attempt to keep up with what's current and whats coming...If I didn't have the answer,I'd let the customer know that I can get it...

Be intuitive and not just the employee that shows up for work and kinda wings it! No excuses not to know your job/business! My little rant..

 

[blueman335]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

Be intuitive and not just the employee that shows up for work and kinda wings it! No excuses not to know your job/business! My little rant..

True, and I would learn about what I'm selling too, but what obligation does the employer feel in providing training for the employees? If they're hired and not taught much of anything about the merchandise, right or wrong, some employees are going to be content with that. Guitar Center management, both corporate and at the store level, need to make it a priority and set some standards. If you don't know more than the customers, or even less, how are you going to answer questions? If I was a store manager I would not want my employees constantly stumped with basic questions. It's embarassing. Why have them on the payroll? There's some downtime in every salesman's day, and if they're on the clock, that needs to be spent productively, not standing around or on smoke breaks.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

As a Paramedic,it wasn't like I could tell the pt.that I couldn't treat them because I wasn't familiar with the meds....Lol...

Kind of a big stretch comparing a salesman to a paramedic. Noone dies if the salesman doesnt know about strings hence why the paramedic job requires more training and professionalism.

Sure I agree that it would be nice if they were all well trained and motivated but at the end of the day if they arent the only thing they hurt is their own sales count.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

Kind of a big stretch comparing a salesman to a paramedic. Noone dies if the salesman doesnt know about strings hence why the paramedic job requires more training and professionalism.

Sure I agree that it would be nice if they were all well trained and motivated but at the end of the day if they arent the only thing they hurt is their own sales count.

I Know it's not apples to apples and I expected the excuse! Bottom line is this....Know your stuff,so you don't look like an idiot when people come in to your store and ask questions....

The jist of my rant was...Whether you make minimum wage or are a high payed guy...Take some pride in what you do...

If a guy aspired to be a store manager though,would he or she be content in just being the person that shows up and collects a pay check?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

Did you call the Department of Homeland Security? What do you think this terrorist is up to? Was he fiddling with his underwear a lot?

Wasn't checking the guys hands,but I said he "looked" like a terroist...Hopefully he isn't one? ;o) I'm about 30 minutes from that store,so it doesn't confront me! Lol

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

Re: So I Walk Into MY Local Guitar Center

I'M A GEARHEAD. I worked at GC and had a HUGE client base because I the knew gear better than many of the product reps who sell it. That, and because I actually LISTENED to the customer.

I NEVER acted like the the know-it-all jackass CLERK with a huge ego. (We've all dealt with him or her!) Consequently, I became a "Go to guy". Just ask ErikH, we used to work at another music store together, yet he came to me when he bought his Marshall. If you learn the gear, learn basic salesmanship skills, and treat all (not just yours) customers well, you'll kick ass at GC.

The thing to keep in mind in sales is to tough it out thru that first year. The first year is tough, because you're establishing a client base and learning and applying the skills you need. Hang in there. That's key.