Guitar Center

I wanted to buy a ukulele and get it quickly in order to take it on a trip with me. My choices were Amazon or go to Guitar Center and have some help picking out a Uke. I have to say that once the salesperson helping me realized that I was coming in to buy an entry level Uke, it was like I was a waste of his time. I bought the Luna and a case and tried to purchase it quickly so he could move on to a more lucrative customer.
My experience buying a Uke in Kauai a few months later was totally different as the salesperson thoroughly showed me the different selections and why I might prefer one over the other. I spent 3 times as much on my Ukulele in Kauai as I did on the Guitar Center one. I think I will take my time and try to frequent the places that value me as a customer.

Never again. I have a $ 10,000 credit line with Guitar Center which will be closed as soon as my balance is satisfied. I’ve spent thousands of dollars at this store, but they’ll never see another penny.
It’s an absolute nightmare trying to get them to honor their «price match» guarantee.
I found an AKG C414 on
, brand new in the original factory packaging for $ 630 from a dealer by the name of MGQ gear, or something to that effect. The original Guitar Center associate that I spoke to told me they would not honor the match, «because they are not an authorized dealer» (even though they offer a warranty and great refund policy). I then called back and talked to an associate named «Dave» who apparently doesn’t understand what «can I speak to a manager» means. He heard me out then decided that he would give me to an actual manager named «Patrick», who was very cordial and polite, but who still didn’t fully understand the value of ensuring that a customer always feels satisfied when they interact with a Guitar Center associate. He also came back with a «I’m not going to be able to do that».
So then I called Sam Ash Music, who just opened a location not far from where I live. They were an absolute pleasure to do business with. They honored the match and I left their store with well over $ 1K in purchases. I left happy. They will be getting all of my business from this point forward. Don’t bother with an apology Guitar Center, this isn’t the first bad experience, but it’s definitely the last. The one star is for the employees that threw in some acoustic foam when I spent $ 3K at the store awhile back. If any Unilocalers are thinking of making a music purchase, go to Sam Ash and ask for Junior. He’ll take care of you.

I came in, nervous like the novice I am, about purchasing a guitar. I was politely greeted by the sales staff who let me know they were there to help but gave me my space. The acoustic guitar room was a bit overwhelming (in a good way) with everything from $ 99 options to guitars requiring a mortgage and their own entourage. Dan (aka the guitar whisperer) sat me down on a stool and brought me a few guitars across several price points. I fell in love with the guitar I ended up bringing home but, even though I was grinning ear to ear, he didn’t employ any cheeseball high pressure sales tactics. He made the experience as awesome as the guitar. And, I swear, that guy can pick out the guitar you were meant to play. Best part? How obvious it was the employees there like their job and each other. Go here.

Nick taught my 10 year son how to play guitar very quickly! My child had zero experience with playing guitar and Nick explained and demonstrated everything he needed to know. He makes learning outside of the Guitar Center exciting because now my son wants to show his instructor that he’s been practicing and getting better. When I get more money saved up were going back to keep up our lessons. I recommend Nick hands down!

I have a love/​hate relationship with guitar center. On one hand, they drove out all my favorite little guitar shops back in the day. On the other hand they have everything. I don’t understand their business plan, though… People can get a lot of stuff online, so this place doubles in size.
This place has a lot of product, especially since the remodel. Don’t worry, the sullen employees remain! It’s hard to find someone to actually pay for something, unless you grab an expensive guitar.
The bass selection actually fairly decent, especially if you like fender and ibanez. The amps are mostly gk and markbass.
They have tons of guitars, most of them low to mid level quality.
I was surprised at the smaller size of the drum room considering how much over all space it has.
With all that said it is a bigger location than San Marcos and for sure bigger than San Ysidro. If you want to spend some time trying out guitars, this is a good place. If you want quick or knowledgeable service, not so much.

Honestly, any music store that has a section of pretentious cheap hats to finish off your look as a bohemian blues guitarist is just douchie and embarrassing to be in. I went in for a product that I had to explain to the sales guy because he didn’t know what it was and then he tries to tell me that they used to carry it but it didn’t sell. Again, he never even heard of it before. Nor, did he help me find anything comparable.
I also find it funny to read how so called musicians on here call other people on here douche bags when they are Guitar Center regulars.
Unless you are picking up an item that they definitely have, I recommend to do a lot of online research. Watch videos of people playing the instruments to hear how it sounds, find it and test it out and compare it with others. Use craigslist, private stores, or travel to LA where there are better stores. Don’t depend on Guitar Center. There is so much great information online to educate you. Get on forums and meet other musicians.
To finish off my 10 minutes in the store I get called ma’am as I’m walking out by a guy that looks like he’s in a Ratt cover band. FML.

I love coming to this location. The store is beautifully re-​arranged and is so beautiful now. Seems like there is a mile of guitars on the walls. Well displayed!
I don’t like their pro-​sound as much. They still only have one speaker hooked up on some models. How are you suppose to hear the whole spectrum? It’s like listening to music with one ear? They also need to upgrade the light display. Not a lot to see or to choose from. Their customer service really suck! I was there twice and both times they are rushing you to the point of picking out something you don’t really want. So what’s going to happen? You return the damned thing… and then they like to hide and only come out when you go to the register and ask to send someone over. God almighty!
Over all it’s a good store. I wish that the outlet in
San Ysidro would of been just a regular store and not a mini store. Just not much of a selection. It would of saved me driving a 35 mile drive both ways if it only was.

Once again, Knowing what you want helps…
My Bassist on my advice went to Guitar Center with an ad for another store with a deal on a PA board some mics and cables, not only did they beat the price by $ 8…
they upgraded the cables, mics and he got a 12 channel «with effects», instead of the 8 channel on the ad my band mate brought in, did not have. I don’t care who you are «THAT» is good service. If you are a beginner douche bag who doesn’t know his craft, off course your gonna get bad service your gonna buy something that «YOU DONT KNOW» and it will suck for you, Knowledge is power — Know what you want before you buy and bitch about it.

You can survive in retail in one of two ways. You can provide outstanding customer service or you can create incentive to sell. GC has clearly chosen the latter model which has resulted in a 3 star average rating at all stores and me not ever coming back. I’ve just spent $ 5k and was a potential long time customer but because I was treated like crap I won’t be returning. Not only is this bad for the customer but I can tell the employees are under pressure as well. They do things like refuse returns, they add protection plans without authorization, they basically do whatever they need to do to hit their numbers which sucks. I believe as a businessman myself that the way to win people over in a competitive retail environment is to kill customers with kindness. We all have a basic human need to connect with people which will allow you to survive in this newly online retail atmosphere. When you can show people there is an advantage to talking to a knowledgeable person you create value by having them come in and see the real thing for Themistocles. We also like to touch and feel things and just as important we like to know we can return something if we change our minds or it doesn’t work (within reason). Sorry guitar center but your commission based system created a bad taste in my mouth and to top it off when my item broke after using it one time and you wouldn’t take it back it was the icing on the cake for me. I’ll be happy shopping on amazon from now on and won’t be happy to see you go out of business in the coming years.

I was in there today for 20 minutes and not a single person said anything to me or even attempted to help me. Last time I’m ever going in there.

People here are very helpful. Only complaint is that when I brought a guitar to have strings changed the tuner was missing when I picked the guitar up. Note to self.

I decided after years of people telling me, «you need a hobby» to finally try learning the guitar. I spent days and days researching on the computer. I finally just walked into guitar center and it was like an AHA! moment. It was huge! Really clean inside and a very nice layout. I walked towards the guitars and was immediately helped by Josh (I think that was his name, that’s what it says on the receipt. He was a tall drink of water). That guy was able to grab the stuff I wanted and needed. He gave me helpful suggestions while remaining professional and friendly. I can’t wait to get good enough on the guitar to justify buying another one from this place!

Went in to purchase a Roland V-​Drums TD-​4KP kit and was told I’d be charged a 10% restocking fee if I were to play it, decide I didn’t like it, and return it. «How would you like it if you brought a kit home only to find it had been played» is what I got from the sales person (nice guy though). Say wha? Plus, this kit isn’t even set up on the floor for customers to try out, so how the heck are you supposed to know if you’re going to like it? I guess we gamble on the Roland name and they’d much rather sell a $ 1500+ kit than a $ 700 one.
With the CA tax thing, it’s cheaper to buy online tax free/​free shipping from places like Sweetwater with NO restocking fee if you decide it’s not for you.
Not knocking Guitar Center as a whole because I’ve had a lot of great experiences with them, but just found this particular experience quite odd.

Came here to ask questions about Lighting and needed to test a light that we had, Chris was the man and answered our questions and helped us out with our lighting. Thank You Chris.
**. He’s the fella with a beard and has glasses!

Our first time here was busy black streak week aka Black Friday week … Walked in wanting a cajon box drum and not knowing much else… Thank God for Tommy!
He was very helpful and not intimidating for a rookie like me!
He knew what was a great starting point for the money and helped me pick out a hand drum too! Now I just need steel drums and dreadlocks! Yeah mon we jammon.
Great customer service from most of the staff we encountered… Minus the guy Working in drums who is maxxxxed out on all the kids experimenting! Haha
Chance in bass guitars was way cool with my 7 year old daughter. He got her set up to jam and even gave her some pointers!
I’m pretty sure we will be back… And again and again! Love it!

Very friendly employees, professionals, you go to find everything for the musician spirit inside of you!

Drum section is terribly run. They never have products in stock to the point that I just order things on Amazon. I’ve made the trip out there 4 times now with them not having reallllly basic things in stock, like sticks, stands, and other basic hardware.
I would recommend always calling ahead to make sure your product is in stock, and don’t even deal with the staff. They won’t answer the question you have. I used to love garage center when I was younger and more wide-​eyed with all the gear in there, but now that I need to just get in and out with the equipment I need it’s a complete pain in the ass and inconvenient.
Also make sure you always price match.
2 stars because the last 4 times I’ve gone there I’ve left very irritated.

Tommy in the drum department is amazing. So good with my son who is blind.
Seriously you want good service go see him at this location!

I’ve been coming here on a regular basis for years. I used to feel like the sales pressure was a bit jankey because the sales people get commission, but after the remodel I’ve gotten a much better vibe from this place.
The store layout is now open and everything is easy to find. They’ve got just about everything you need and really good customer service. If something is not in stock they will order it for you and it will arrive within a couple days.
What can I say? Guitar center is the go-​to place for most of the professional musicians and sound techs I know.

Haven’t been here in about over a year, I feel like they expanded or changed the layout or something.
Came in, found the percussion section and asked for some Vic Firth 5A drumsticks.
The man behind the counter helped me out briefly before ignoring my question about the drumstick club card thing. Another associate explained it to me. They weren’t very friendly but then again maybe they don’t like children and I was baby wearing my son.