Well folks, I'm the latest victim of GCREP. As a Rick collector, 'I should have known better' than to deal with Guitar Center. I won an Ebay auction today for a beat-up '94 1997 JG ($999). This guitar has been hanging in their Dallas store for months with a $1600 price tag. Their Ebay starting bid has been as high as $2000 before coming down to $999. It had been listed without a single bid (like most of their auction items) for months. I finally decided to go for it and I won (the only bid).
When I emailed the seller about shipping arrangements, I was told that the item sold in their store on July 4th. Well I saw it hanging on the wall at 11:00 AM on July 4th. I decided to call and ask whether it was still there. The guy answering the phone knew exactly which guitar I was was talking about (very rare for a GC employee). He suggested that I talk to the sales manager. After sitting on hold, they called me back 45 minutes later.
He gave me a story about an employee with a dying father who forgot to end some auctions, and he was very sorry. I asked him what he intended to do to prevent me from leaving negative feedback, and he offered me $50 off on my next purchase. I said I'd be in on Saturday to discuss deals on other guitars (he has 6-8 used Ricks in stock).
I also told him that I didn't see how or why anyone would have paid anything close to $1600 for that beat-up guitar, and that GC employees aren't generally confident or knowledgeable enough about their products to actually negotiate a deal. I told him that this is only the latest instance in which a Ebay deal failed to close properly for me, and that I've heard every lame excuse. He said to come in and he'd try to make me a happy GC customer. I guess he likes a good challenge...
Snaked By GCREP!
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
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atomic_punk
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Man, does that SUCK. Remind him that an Ebay sale is a binding contract and you could report him to Ebay and possibly have his seller's account put under review or suspended. I'm sure that will go a little farther to him making sure you are a "happy customer".
"They make great f***'n basses". - Lemmy, NAMM 2009
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jwr2
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loendmaestro
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Well your probably better off Randy without their junk.
I bought a 73 4001 JG from that same store through Instrument Exchange thank God, only to find out the bass was a piece of **** with all kinds of mods done to it. I sent it back the next day for a full refund including shipping. The manager at GC was really nice, and I didn't have any problems with him. I think his name was Chris Leyman. I think they also have 2 stores in Dallas.
I bought a 73 4001 JG from that same store through Instrument Exchange thank God, only to find out the bass was a piece of **** with all kinds of mods done to it. I sent it back the next day for a full refund including shipping. The manager at GC was really nice, and I didn't have any problems with him. I think his name was Chris Leyman. I think they also have 2 stores in Dallas.
Buy it before someone else does.
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jingle_jangle
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$50 for no negative? I'd hold the b*****ds up for every penny I could get. You could mess up their averages on eBay. I'd report them for fraud to eBay and just in general make trouble. Bottom line is beyond that, there's little you can do, Randy. Too bad you hadn't already paid...eBay would suspend their trading privileges over that. It's called a "paid but never received item."
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Paul, I tried to pay immediately but was confused by Instrument Exchange's checkout procedure. They emailed a password to my home computer, so GC's apology was waiting when I got home.
Bob, the GC manager's name is Chris Leland. He said I was one of several disappointed Ebay customers today.
I'll certainly apply some pressure when I meet him on Saturday. At first I was going to be mean on the phone, but waiting for his callback allowed me to gain perspective. It's smarter to be tough with him.
Bob, the GC manager's name is Chris Leland. He said I was one of several disappointed Ebay customers today.
I'll certainly apply some pressure when I meet him on Saturday. At first I was going to be mean on the phone, but waiting for his callback allowed me to gain perspective. It's smarter to be tough with him.
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jingle_jangle
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Yeah, Randy, smart move.
Best way to be with people like this: Act cool, and pretend you're a lawyer with all the time in the world. Present your case, cover all the bases in your first paragraph (including a cleverly-worded, non-inflammatory threat), speak softly and be stubborn and a man of few words. Make them do the talking/offering.
But you're a businessman--you know this stuff already. Good luck!
Best way to be with people like this: Act cool, and pretend you're a lawyer with all the time in the world. Present your case, cover all the bases in your first paragraph (including a cleverly-worded, non-inflammatory threat), speak softly and be stubborn and a man of few words. Make them do the talking/offering.
But you're a businessman--you know this stuff already. Good luck!
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Randy,
I'd certainly follow the cool, calm and collected approach with the breach of contract argument. Offer - acceptance - consideration. Case closed. They owe you a Jetglo 1997 Rick or alternatively must compensate you for their breach. Fifty bucks off your next purchase with them is garbage. I'd visit their store, pick out the most desirable / expensive Rickenbacker and tell 'em you're taking that one home instead, otherwise you'll place the whole issue in the hands of your lawyer. Good luck!
I'd certainly follow the cool, calm and collected approach with the breach of contract argument. Offer - acceptance - consideration. Case closed. They owe you a Jetglo 1997 Rick or alternatively must compensate you for their breach. Fifty bucks off your next purchase with them is garbage. I'd visit their store, pick out the most desirable / expensive Rickenbacker and tell 'em you're taking that one home instead, otherwise you'll place the whole issue in the hands of your lawyer. Good luck!
'59 425, '59 335, '60 335, '60 360, '60 335F, '60 345F, '64 RM 1999, '65 RM 1998, '65 360-12, '66 335, '67 450-12, '72 4001 '72 4001, '75 4000, '75 4000CS, '00 700S, '01 700C, '01 700S-12, '01 730S-FH, '06 660 DCM
Hi Guys !! I usually deal with these problems different now that I'm retired and have decided to take no c..p from anyone who trys to rip me off.This method has worked for me many of time.I am a former manager of a retail chain that sometimes screwed up and left me holding the pis..d off customer.I have had to many times eat crow for the company.What hurts these companys most is bad advertising.I've used this method against Wal-Mart and Tweeters with fast results.I get a big piece of poster board.I right on it in big letters something like"I got hosed at Tweeters"Then i went on to explain what they did to me in a few short sentences.Then I called the local police department and asked if it is ok to sit in front of the store and protest.They have always said ok as long as I didn't sit right in front of the door and blocked peoples right of way.Ask For the officers name for future references if needed.Then I sat in front of the store in a chair with my sign.The managers usually call security to tell you to leave.Then I would tell them to call officer"whats his name"at the local police and we could hash this out right in front of the other customers.They usually call and they tell them it is my right to be there.In the mean time a whole lot of customers are reading my sign and asking what happened.As long as I'm telling the truth it doesn't hurt to tell them.After a bit the manager will come out and ask why you are there.Tell him what you think of their putting the screws to you.They usually ask you what you want from them in order to get you away from the store.Tell them what it will take to get you satisfied.Try to be fair but don't be afraid to stick to your guns.Sometimes the District manager is called and then talks to you.This when I tell them "Hey, I have all the time in the world.I plan to come back here as many days as I can to let people know what you have done to me."I know it is a pain in the butt.I've just got tired of letting businesses get the best of me.I have never had to stay more then one and a half days.At Wal Mart they waited to see if I would return the next day.When i did show up they gave me what I wanted.At Tweeters it was the first day.At Walmart it was just tires for about $200.00.At Tweeters they lost my sons $1500.00 car radio(which ended up being stolen by an employe).I got new tires and a new radio.Maybe this is a little harsh.I just don't take it anymore.
Pat, yikes! I can assure you I won't be spending a minute more than I have to at the 'hell hole' known as Guitar Center. And I wouldn't be caught dead carrying a protest sign. That's just not my style. They have a few nice Ricks hanging with the used guitars, that look like new unsold stock from the RIC dealer days. I may try to strike a deal on one of those. If I don't get any satisfaction, I'll go ahead and trash them with negative feedback, and spend my money on a couple of cool Teardrop guitars from Phantom Guitar Works. PGW owner Jack Charles seems very interested in building me a custom 9-string Teardrop guitar, to go along with a 6-string I want. He thinks he might build a limited run of 12 or 25 pieces to see if others are interested in them. He has an original Vox IX and says I'm only the second person in 14 years to ask about 9-string guitars. I think he's genuinely excited at the prospect of building something special. I promised that I buy it if he would build it, and that's how deals should be done.
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jingle_jangle
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Foley, you're lethal! (LOL).
I want you and Darren at my side next time somebody tries to mess with me.
Wait a minnit...on second thought, there's this character in Detroit, who...
I'll be in touch...
Randy, that's the way business should be done, but lately, (since flea-Bay?) the fast buck magicians have been breeding like popcorn over a campfire.
All in all, there's nothing like the personal touch, whether protesting or purchasing!
I want you and Darren at my side next time somebody tries to mess with me.
Wait a minnit...on second thought, there's this character in Detroit, who...
I'll be in touch...
Randy, that's the way business should be done, but lately, (since flea-Bay?) the fast buck magicians have been breeding like popcorn over a campfire.
All in all, there's nothing like the personal touch, whether protesting or purchasing!
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Paul,
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm really a big softie actually....however by day I masquerade as the Claims Manager for a large insurance company. I'm therefore used to dealing with contract law, rights and responsibilities, lawyers, courts, unreasonable people and negotiating deals. Being firm but fair (without getting aggressive) usually ends up with an acceptable resolution.
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm really a big softie actually....however by day I masquerade as the Claims Manager for a large insurance company. I'm therefore used to dealing with contract law, rights and responsibilities, lawyers, courts, unreasonable people and negotiating deals. Being firm but fair (without getting aggressive) usually ends up with an acceptable resolution.
'59 425, '59 335, '60 335, '60 360, '60 335F, '60 345F, '64 RM 1999, '65 RM 1998, '65 360-12, '66 335, '67 450-12, '72 4001 '72 4001, '75 4000, '75 4000CS, '00 700S, '01 700C, '01 700S-12, '01 730S-FH, '06 660 DCM