Had my first GC experience today

[ratherdashing]

I decided to pick up a Korg Pitchblack (great tuner pedal btw), and figured that since I'm in Dumbassland ... er, I mean the USA , I might as well get it at Guitar Center and save myself a few bucks.

I drove to the Orange CT location. Here are my thoughts:

- Layout-wise and size-wise, it's a lot like Long and McQuade (Canadian chain)

- Selection is pretty much the same as the aforementioned Canadian store

- Prices aren't that much better on most items

- The two employees I spoke to made L&M's idiots seem like Stephen Hawking. Seriously, I couldn't believe how dumb they were. I read all the stories, and went in prepared for stupidity, but gawd! I fully understand all the complaints now. Wow. I'm talking "Darwin Awards" levels of dumb.

- Said mentally challenged employees clearly are put under a lot of pressure to sell add-ons. I was offered every conceivable add-on for my friggin tuner pedal. Do I have a power adapter? Do I want the extended warranty? Do I need batteries? How about a cable? Is this why Americans carry firearms? To whip out when you just want to pay and leave, but the guy won't shut up? I think I'm starting to understand this country.

Anyway, the store served its purpose. I have the pedal, and I paid about $15 less than I would have in Canada. That $15 did cost me a portion of my sanity though.

[rashayritto]

yeah man, stick with the smaller chains. nowadays they have the same prices as the mega mart music stores and online merchants.

[ginormous]

...employees clearly are put under a lot of pressure to sell add-ons.

That's one of the thousands of reasons why I got out of retail. The accessories and the "extended warranties" are where these businesses really profit. The sales floor is given a goal of selling the highest # of warrantee contracts (defective units are handled by simply exchanging for a "similar-value item" determined by the store). Cash bonuses are given for selling certain items and/or add-ons.

In many stores, the product is there just to get the customer in the door; one or two in stock, rain checks 'til the cows come home, and the old bait-and-switch on the stuff the company gets the best wholesale price on. A total scam.

[LesStrat]

*the conversion process has begun*

[theboatcandream]

The two employees I spoke to made L&M's idiots seem like Stephen Hawking.

I'd love to hear specifics. GC stories are always good for a laugh.

[Skullkrusher]

figured that since I'm in Dumbassland ... er, I mean the USA

Is that how you really feel? That's the kind of thing you usually only hear from a ****** bag. Does that suit you? Surely not...

[rashayritto]

Is that how you really feel? That's the kind of thing you usually only hear from a ****** bag. Does that suit you? Surely not...

its no different than how Canada is mocked incessantly in the US (especially on TV!). let the man have his false sense of superiority!

[theodie]

Canada is on strike aren't they?

[tonedeaf1]

Dumbassland? How did you get to CT without leaving Canada? And speaking of dumbasses, Stephen Hawking is at the top of the list!!!

[theboatcandream]

Is that how you really feel? That's the kind of thing you usually only hear from a ****** bag. Does that suit you? Surely not...

Can I git some grits with that?

[theboatcandream]

Canada is on strike aren't they?

Yeah, but you can't tell the difference because we're all government workers.

[rashayritto]

yes the WGA (World Canada Bureau) has yet to receive the "internet money" they are demanding from the UN

[Skarekrough]

I'd love to hear specifics. GC stories are always good for a laugh.

I've tossed around the idea of compiling a book....

[That90'sGuy]

I decided to pick up a Korg Pitchblack (great tuner pedal btw), and figured that since I'm in Dumbassland ... er, I mean the USA , I might as well get it at Guitar Center and save myself a few bucks.

I drove to the Orange CT location. Here are my thoughts:

- Layout-wise and size-wise, it's a lot like Long and McQuade (Canadian chain)

- Selection is pretty much the same as the aforementioned Canadian store

- Prices aren't that much better on most items

- The two employees I spoke to made L&M's idiots seem like Stephen Hawking. Seriously, I couldn't believe how dumb they were. I read all the stories, and went in prepared for stupidity, but gawd! I fully understand all the complaints now. Wow. I'm talking "Darwin Awards" levels of dumb.

- Said mentally challenged employees clearly are put under a lot of pressure to sell add-ons. I was offered every conceivable add-on for my friggin tuner pedal. Do I have a power adapter? Do I want the extended warranty? Do I need batteries? How about a cable? Is this why Americans carry firearms? To whip out when you just want to pay and leave, but the guy won't shut up? I think I'm starting to understand this country.

Anyway, the store served its purpose. I have the pedal, and I paid about $15 less than I would have in Canada. That $15 did cost me a portion of my sanity though.

Wow... you were in Orange, CT and you didn't let joelap or I know? Tsk, tsk...

[JB_From_Hell]

Is that how you really feel? That's the kind of thing you usually only hear from a ****** bag. Does that suit you? Surely not...

Jeez dude.... need Odie to call the Whaaambulance? I think the indicated he was joking.

Hey 'dashing.... did I tell you about the time I asked the pickup guy at GC for a trem-spaced pickup, he looked at me confused, handed me a Hot Rails, I said, "No, it's a full sized humbucker, but the model would be, say TB-4 for a JB, rather than SH-4." He continued looking confused, returned the Hot Rail, and handed me a Scorcher (Duncan Designed Hot Rail).

[Skullkrusher]

Jeez dude.... need Odie to call the Whaaambulance? I think the indicated he was joking.

Yeah, you can call the Whaaaambulance if you want. Oh, there was a cute little face? Then he MUST have been joking for sure! Or not.....

I've been in a bad mood the last few days. Maybe my moron detector just isn't working as well as it should. I think it's fine though.

[Dru Edwards]

Canada is on strike aren't they?

Ahhhh ... South Park.

[JeffB]

I decided to pick up a Korg Pitchblack (great tuner pedal btw), and figured that since I'm in Dumbassland ... er, I mean the USA , I might as well get it at Guitar Center and save myself a few bucks.

I drove to the Orange CT location. Here are my thoughts:

- Layout-wise and size-wise, it's a lot like Long and McQuade (Canadian chain)

- Selection is pretty much the same as the aforementioned Canadian store

- Prices aren't that much better on most items

- The two employees I spoke to made L&M's idiots seem like Stephen Hawking. Seriously, I couldn't believe how dumb they were. I read all the stories, and went in prepared for stupidity, but gawd! I fully understand all the complaints now. Wow. I'm talking "Darwin Awards" levels of dumb.

- Said mentally challenged employees clearly are put under a lot of pressure to sell add-ons. I was offered every conceivable add-on for my friggin tuner pedal. Do I have a power adapter? Do I want the extended warranty? Do I need batteries? How about a cable? Is this why Americans carry firearms? To whip out when you just want to pay and leave, but the guy won't shut up? I think I'm starting to understand this country.

Anyway, the store served its purpose. I have the pedal, and I paid about $15 less than I would have in Canada. That $15 did cost me a portion of my sanity though.

Yup, you described the Orange, CT store and it's employees to a "T"

Did you move to the area, Bro?

[ratherdashing]

I'd love to hear specifics. GC stories are always good for a laugh.

There was an old dude at the accessories counter. I asked him for a Korg Pitchblack pedal tuner. He saw a Dean Markley pedal tuner right next to him and handed me that. I said "No, I want a Korg." He grabbed the first Korg tuner he saw - a small hand-held model. "No, that's not it either ... I asked for the Korg Pitchblack. It's a black tuner pedal made by Korg." He trudged over to the computer and looked it up, and eventually dug it out of a closet behind him.

I wandered off for a bit, played a Roland Juno G (always a fun thing to do), and came back to the accessories area. I asked another guy there about pedal boards. He asked how many pedals I have. I said "six; one is a wah, the others are Boss-sized." He showed me this HUGE Furman pedal board that cost $200. I said "that's way too big, I only have six pedals." As it turns out, his rationale for showing me the Furman was that there are six pedals in the picture on the box.

Wow... you were in Orange, CT and you didn't let joelap or I know? Tsk, tsk...

Yup, you described the Orange, CT store and it's employees to a "T"

Did you move to the area, Bro?

I'm in the Shelton/Stratford area on business until Friday. I will probably be coming back soon. We should get together then - no time this week unfortunately.

[grumptruck]

Thats why I support the underdogs.