Herb posted this thing about GC earlier which made me think about my latest experience w/ them.
 
Last Wednesday, my wife bought a Squier bass there, off the rack. She asked the cleck if she could get a box or something to protect the instrument while we drove home. After looking around for awhile a bit perplexed, they gave us this huge rectangular cardboard box. Interesting, I thought. Oh well, cheap guitar. Though back home, every instrument at least had some sort of cardboard packaging.
 
The following day, having decided that I wanted a particular Les Paul, we went to the other Guitar Center, the one in Town Square. After trying a couple of guitars, I grabbed the one I wanted and said: this one! 
 
Now, usually, when you buy a guitar, say, over at Sam Ash in NY, the clerk gets it from the storage room for you, conveniently warped and packed in its cardboard box, with all its accessories. For example, an Epiphone will typically come w/ the warranty card, a cheap 1/4 cable, a hex key, a sticker, a poster of the current collection and such.
 
If you buy the specific one on the rack, they still have all that stuff in the back that they'll get for you. And because they know that in NY, you will have to walk for a while even if you came by car, they'll even tape the box and offer to make a little handle and such. Every instrument I bought there I brought back home walking, under my arm, in its own original box, w/ the Epiphone logo on it.
 
At GC here, nope. The guitar was put in my hands as is - no cardboard box, no warranty card, no cable and none of the typically included stuff. Not that it matters much, though, unfortunately, in this particular case, the package should also have included strap locks, which were part of the online sales pitch, something I just didn't think about until I got home. Oh well...
 

The GC's up here flatten and get rid of the boxes right away.  When I was moving (and, later, when I was selling guitars) I talked with the guitar area manager and was able to get a few boxes before they flattened them.  He had me show up at a certain time on the day they get inventory once and, on another time, he just grabbed a couple and kept them up front for me to pick up.
 
Whenever I've bought a guitar or bass there, I've always bought a case so I've never had to deal with trying to get it home by itself before.

Good to know.
 
In most cases, I'd buy one (case). I do find it rather lame though that they throw away the accesories - not that I'd car much for yet another cheap 1/4 cable, but the strap locks would have been nice.

 
5 Tips on Selling the Better Cases

Most of the time when I go into GC I end up educating some young clerk on the guitar I am holding. Kind of sad.

MakeShift
Most of the time when I go into GC I end up educating some young clerk on the guitar I am holding. Kind of sad.

True. Some stores have a pro and sometimes you'll get someone who knows the guitars and amps but usually they don't know anything about anything, it really is sad... I don't think I have ever bought a guitar that didn't come with a case of some sort. At least a box.. I bought a Squier Bronco bass several years ago, I don't remember if it came in a box but I know I don't have a case for it.
J

Rain
Good to know.
 
In most cases, I'd buy one (case). I do find it rather lame though that they throw away the accesories - not that I'd car much for yet another cheap 1/4 cable, but the strap locks would have been nice.

If you were supposed to get strap locks, then I would definitely go back and point that out.  Usually, strap locks are two-part jobbies.   One that replaces the stock knob on the guitar and another that goes on your guitar strap.  So, if the guitar has the one part already, then it won't work with a normal strap and the other side is required.
 

Ya, why let them get by with it? I have no reason to go there except maybe for strings or picks, and even BestB carries some guitar strings nowadays.
 
 

Every time I'm tempted to walk into the GC in Manhattan I'm reminded of the fact that you have to check your bag at the door and I just keep walking. The last time I was in there, I seem to remember some freaking ordeal just buying a packet of strings. 

In Raleigh, we have a SA and a GC directly across the street from each other.
 
I have walked around both without so much as a "hello" from anyone. Although at one time, SA did have a flunkie setting at  desk there near the door to greet and check things brought in. I was taking my SG to have it looked at for possible refretting and some other repairs.... In all fairness though, at some point, someone in the department I happen to be in will eventually ask me if I need some help. A simple "no thanks, I'm just looking" will generally send them scurrying back to their stool behind the counter.  Only a few have ever engaged me in a conversation to see what I'm looking for or just about music in general.
 
I bought my Taylor (used) at SA and the treatment I got was tops..... the guy was knowledgeable and pointed out that it came with a hard shell form fitting case. He claimed to know the history of the guitar since it was a trade in from a guy he knew, and the guitar had been purchased new from SA about a year before. He threw in a few goodies and negotiated a lower price when I pointed out that I was a buyer at the right price.
 
I recall that the Tele I picked up was a GC purchase on the phone.... and again the deal was done at a cost savings to me that made the deal a good one. The order arrived in 2 parts.....case came first, and the guitar, which was back ordered, came about 2 weeks after the order was placed. Both were well packed and delivered in pristine condition.
 
Most of the younger guys in either store, could learn things if they would simply talk to the older guys shopping in the stores.....after all, we have played tons of guitars and amps through the years, and pretty much know a bit about what we're talking about.