GC,auctions are insulting!!!!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:02 pm

[70 fender j bass]At that price your not going to sell it anytime soon,why from Rickenbacker's to Fenders do you GCreps keep listing the same things over and over and over and over and over and over.......and asking astronomically high prices,don't you guys get it ,we the public are not interested in paying thousands more for something.we are all sick of your auctions ,
I know about twenty five people who have complained to ebay about GC auctions.Its highly insulting that you [GC] try to RIP us off so bad!!!!

This is a email I sent to GC after correspondence with them about a bass.

lets all sign a petition???

edski · Post by **edski** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:07 pm

just laugh at it Ken.

They must have a deal with eBay to list for free...'cos if they were paying for those ads they'd reflect reality.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:17 pm

"ROCK OUT LIKE MOTORHEAD" would have already been paid for with the ebay fees if that weren't the case....

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:17 pm

I counted 10 Ric bass auctions out of 45 ,that are GC auctions weve seen at least 10 times.

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:52 pm

if you're really interested in one of their basses, let me know off of the forum and i may be able to get you a really good deal on it.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:22 pm

What about that 1970's Fireglo 4000 bass? They're asking $2000 for that, but it seems a bit steep to me, considering how beat up it is (and it's got that extra strap peg) . . .

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:50 pm

Sean you have mail.

tomg · Post by **tomg** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:24 pm

Anything that can be percieved as "vintage" gets tagged with ridiculous prices by GC. And not just on Ebay. Visit any GC store and check out the prices on the vintage instruments.

IIRC, the local GC had a Fender Mustang guitar (probably a 60's model) priced at over $2k.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:29 pm

Hey Sean,

Same here, I just sent you an e-mail.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:46 pm

Ken,

You want to talk about a GC record for listing time? Take a look at this one!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEMBIC-1981-SPOILER-BASS-GUITAR-W-3-FRETBOARDS-4-STR_W0QQitemZ7376219309QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Alembic Forum had a HAPPY 1 year listing anniversary about 2 months ago! CONSTANTLY LISTED for more than 1 FULL YEAR!

Oh, the listing fees!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:52 pm

Gentlemen, it would be a good idea to wander off the bass area once in awhile.

For a bit of background on GC matters and a good deal of insight into how they run their eBay auctions, kindly see the thread "GC is insane" under "Rickenbackers For Sale."

Suffice to say that, things are not as they seem.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 6:32 pm

Paul,you spoke to one employee ,a nice guy big deal, is he GC corporate PR guy?

I have friends that work there as I do at the DMV too,doesn't mean a hill of beans.

I don't know who sets there prices and policies but they are high on opium or tripping on Dragon or something.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:00 pm

Ken, I agree. You began to make a distinction between one nice guy and their corporate PR stuff. To complete the analogy, every person on the sales floor represents the corporation, and those of us in sales understand this.

I make a distinction between their corporate entity and the individuals. When I go into the GC two blocks from my office in SF, there are salespeople who I can talk to and know I'll get consideration and others whom I avoid because they are rude, obnoxious, and loud-mouthed.

And they do cut deals. At the same time, they price their vintage stuff crazy high. Looks tyo me like a corporation out of touch with their workers.

Their eBay auctions are a universal joke. Lee's information on how they are run show a wide, wide gap between management and the people in the trenches. It's pitiful. Maybe someday they will see the light, but judging from that Alembic incident, it won't be for awhile.

My post in "GC...insane" indicates what we suspect--that their policies are set by upper management who seemingly could care less, because they are making money hand and fist on their retail 17yo thrasher sales, while salesmen are giving away the ranch on trades and street buys. Lousy management oversight.

Still, look at the "GCREP" auctions--those guys all show a good number of eBay sales...where do you suppose those sales are made? Lee has shed the only light I've seen on it amid all the whining and complaining, of which I am also guilty.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:15 pm

The sad part about it,they have some nice vintage stuff we all would like to have that sits around for years unplayed and un enjoyed,because of greed.

Im just frustrated.

If they would drop there vintage prices they would make a killing better to sell more then less and theres always more to go around.

You talk about collectors or dealers screwing up the market!They are the king's at screwing up the market.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:27 pm

We all feel the same pain. Still, I am glad I made the acquaintance of somebody on the inside so I can someday understand exactly why things are so messed up over there.

And, Ken, if you or anybody else on this Forum are interested in any of that auction stuff, I have a note from Lee that says "let me know what you're interested in and I'm sure I can help you out", so there's an "in" right there to see if in fact Lee's offer is a load of ******** or if there's something sincere there.

The proof of the pudding is in the gelling.