Guitar Center...Bait and Switch? Or just idiots??

I had something similar happen at a gun shop years ago. Was looking at some hunting rifles. Saw one that caught my eye but didn't pull the trigger. Later that day I changed my mind and decided to buy it. I called the shop and told them to hold it and I raced back to the shop. When I got there the rifle was gone and the two salesman that were there told me there was no such rifle in the shop and never had been. A verbal argument ensued and I ended up flipping them both off and told them they'd never get my business again. My mistake ws calling them before I went back and asking if that particular model was still available. The guy on the phone said yes but he couldn't hold it, that is why I raced back. Obviously somebody in the shop wanted it for themselves or friends/family.

I can say that I once bought a guitar at one of their holiday blowout sales:

It's a Gibson Pete Townshend Signature SG. I had previously looked at them in other stores (GC didn't seem to carry them), and it was priced way less than it should have been, even by discount music store standards. Since a lot of GC's "blowout guitars" tend to have major flaws - cracks, finish problems, someone dropped it, etc. - I was giving it a thorough going over looking for any kind of major or minor flaw, but it was perfect.

So finally a sales guys came over and explained why it was so cheap - someone had special ordered the super deluxe, limited edition Pete Townshend SG model (complete with Who flight case and certificate personally autographed by Pete), and they had apparently ordered this "production model PT SG" by mistake. As it wasn't something GC carried in their carefully controlled inventory, it would doubtless have caused their entire corporate empire to collapse if they didn't get rid of it as soon as possible. So they discounted it 25-30% (or something like that) below the "normal, 50%-off-list-price discount price" you'd pay at a good discount music store.

So it's possible that you're looking at something that was a special order at one store that went unclaimed  or for some other reason isn't in their "normal" inventory system. But it is silly to broadly advertise something like that.

Oh, and the SG is the best rhythm guitar in the history of the world. 

Guitar Center...Bait and Switch? Or just idiots??

 
Are you implying those things are mutually exclusive? 

Maybe your local GC should ask to be put on the mailing list.

I've noticed that as well, my ol pal.  mostly they have a big disconnect between corporate and the sales drones. 

either the coporate offices don't train their employees well, or the drones were stoned during the training.  I can't decide which...

Find those guys who guarantee to match any price and fax them a copy of the flyer until you hit one who is dumber than GC and agrees to sell at that price... easy!
 
Of course then you have the moral dilemma: to be honest and tell them that GC wouldn't even honor the flyer... or take the deal.  In any case you will have found a business that does what they say they will do and you can confidently do business with them in the future.  Any of these stores will, if they are compitent, will double check with GC to see if it is legitimate.... hence, it would have to be someone both dumber than GC and more honorable... a truly dangerous combination, laff!
 
I am amazed that GC does not offer a little more. You should try insisting that they honor the deal, tell them that if they don't have it... they need to get it! You could have a bit of fun with this.
 
Si si señor...
 
Julien
 
 

Yup, I always take the circular with me also.  And, on the 4 occasions this has happened in the last two years...in the end...I walked away with what was in the circular at the price advertised.  My gripe is the way GC runs its empire.  The call center doesn't know anything...the website doesn't show anything...and the local guys have to jump through needless hoops just to sell anything.  How do they stay in business.  I mean, if you've shopped both just compare and contrast Sweetwater to GC?  Mind boggling.

Guitarhacker


In reading the post (#1) maybe I missed it..... BUT.... whenever I see something I want, at a great price, either on line or from a flyer..... I ALWAYS print it (online) or carry the flyer with me.

Once I arrive at the store, I plop the advert onto the counter, point to the item, and state in an authoritative but polite voice....

" I would like to purchase one of these today. "

That way they see it. Now.... if they don't have it in stock I ask them to order it and give me a raincheck for it so I CAN get it at the sale price when it comes in. I also get the store's phone number and the name of the clerk who waited on me.

That actually sounds like a good system. I'm going to try that next time. :)     

I'm pretty sure they are just dimbulbs who can't get their s#%t together. Your thoughts?

 
FWIW, I generally like the folks who work at our local GC.
That said, I've gone numerous times because of significant discounts (20% off)... and the employees weren't aware of the sale.
I've always gotten the discounted item... so no bait-and-switch... just confusion on their part.
Bought several Musicman instruments that way.
 

I just recently got a GC 4th of July 2011 mailer and was about to toss it when I stumbled upon Vir2's Electri6ity at $100.00 off the regular price on VIR2 and Bigfishaudio.com's websites.  I learned fast years ago: Never steal in slow motion.  Went to GC.com and it was not there even with their own stock number.  Must be a loss leader item. Called local GC and they found one in Denver.  Took a week to get it but was totally worth it.  Coincidentally my brother-in-law is the brother who owns GC.  Too bad there's bad blood between them.  I could use the employee discounts if they did get along.  Oh well. :P