I got a call yesterday and the Caller ID was from a Guitar Center in New Jersey. The caller never said his name and was very short and rude.

He asks," Do you have a PSR-S910 in stock?" I said, yes, How can I help you, and where did you hear about me?

Because I try to take care of forum people better than complete strangers.

So he starts barking out what's your price, and have you ever sold one for this price?

I knew he probably had a customer there that got a great price from me and was trying to get Guitar Center to do the same.

I told him I sell my products at a price I decide, and its all according to each and every person at a individual case by case situation.

He again asked price, and I finally said full MAP.

He sounded happy and satisfied.

I HATE GUITAR CENTER!!!

DITTO Frank on hating GC and to think I had to deal with them until you came along and saved all our butts from the Wrath of Big Biz!!!

You be da man!! Thank you!

We should start a facebook page, I hate Guitar Center!

The one by me is always empty, never has anything in stock and their customer service / sales rep suck!

mc, do you live in Fort Myers too?

Want a cheap spare part for your keyboard? Who gets right on it and orders it the next day for you? Frank!

What do you think my chances would have been at GC?

Let me say that while I have had limited dealings with Frank, I would NEVER HESITATE to deal with him and recommend others to do the same ...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mc:
We should start a facebook page, I hate Guitar Center!

The one by me is always empty, never has anything in stock and their customer service / sales rep suck! [/QUOTE

I have to say that I have been in the GC near me a couple of times, and while their kbs are 'wanting' - like 'wanting more - the place always seems pretty busy, and it looks like they have a lot of 'stuff' in the store ... of course I don't know if the people in there are actual customers, or just 'kids' making a lot of screeching noises with guitars - there CERTAINLY is a lot of that going on ...

t.

A store is just the vehicle we use to get where we want to go..

The driver (sales people) are the important factor..and if the "driver" is also a mechanic (product knowledge}..you have a winning combination..

I deal with GC as well as SamAsh and all the independent stores as well..

I know the personnel..and who I can deal with at a fair mutual price point..

I know the store managers in all the area stores and have a good relationship..

I ask if they can or would sell for a certain price (I know wholesale prices)..and always allow 10-15 percent marks in my offers..

There are good folks in the stores ..you just have to find them (sometimes we have to train them.. )

DanO is a perfect example ..when he was with GC...He had control over the pricing in his expertise (keyboard department)...and created a market that GC would not have if it wasn't for his efforts..

I have a "DanO" type in just about every chain store here...

When ever possible..I do give Independent store owners my business..or the first refusal to sell at a price I want to pay..

I also would suggest buying from Frank in the east...and George in the west...They are two of the honest people you can deal with.....and always fair prices...in fact they have treated me with more than a fair price...almost a dealer privilege price..

I can only speak for the store which is a mile from my house. I haven't purchased anything major in there for years because you have to beg and plead to actually get a sale rep to help you. They are usually to busy chatting or playing with the Dj equipment rather then helping you. Also in the old days, they would give you a couple of buck off whether it was cables or a large pa. They took care of their customers. Now you get the corporate line. "We are no longer allowed to give discounts, unless you bring in a competitor's ad, advertising it for less" or unless you spend a gazillion dollars, they may give you $3 off.

Unless I have emergency, where i need cables or something, No thanks, I'll try somewhere else first!

[This message has been edited by mc (edited 02-24-2010).]

You've got to laugh at GC... Having spent years trying to put brick and mortar music stores out of business, they get all outraged when someone applies the same tactics to them that they used with impunity for years.

Live by the sword, die by the sword...!

I'm happy to be serving in in the ranks of "Frank's Army"... HA HA. Great guy, great deals, great stuff!

Frankieve for President!

Randy