John515
07-30-2003, 10:05 PM
For those of you who don't already know, they are one and the same, GC and MF. Here's why I despise them both:
1. "We'll beat anyone's prices!" Bull!!!! I've had people price shop me and when I give them a price they will sometimes run down there with it and usually get told that I won't actually sell it for that price. Guess who usually comes back and buys from me? Try this at your local GC: Go in and get a price on an assortment of gear, like a high-end 5 pc kit, some extra hardware, and a few cymbals. Then go to your favorite independent store and price the exact same kit (down to the nuts and bolts) without them knowing you were at GC first. See who's usually cheaper. If the independent store is cheaper and GC tells you they will beat it, ask them these magic questions: "If your deals are so great why were you so much higher to begin with?" and: " Do you mean to tell me that you would've over charged me if you could have gotten away with it?" After about 10-15 seconds of listening to their backpedaling, turn around, walk out and never return. Support you local store! Besides, why would anyone want to shop at a store where they refer to customer as "KILLS" (true story)?
2. Guitar Center is a "Puppy Mill". The employee turnover rate is astounding! The average amount of time a typical GC employee will last is about 2 months. While there are a few exceptions (FEW being the operative word here), most of the employees don't know squat about what they're selling and almost always don't know squat about salesmanship. Sales is about building relationships with your customers, not just cranking stuff out the door to make a quick sale. Long term relationships are key to long term growth. GC doesn't care to invest the effort into really training the staff to do that. Fine with me!!! My sales have been going up every year!
3. When GC moves into a new area, they have only one goal: to drive everyone else out of town though fair means or foul. They do not care a lick about the future of the people they sell to, only that they get their money, no matter what. I could tell you lots of stories about the sleazy garbage they've tried to pull in my area, but you should ask around your area and find out for yourself. Don't take my word for it.
1. "We'll beat anyone's prices!" Bull!!!! I've had people price shop me and when I give them a price they will sometimes run down there with it and usually get told that I won't actually sell it for that price. Guess who usually comes back and buys from me? Try this at your local GC: Go in and get a price on an assortment of gear, like a high-end 5 pc kit, some extra hardware, and a few cymbals. Then go to your favorite independent store and price the exact same kit (down to the nuts and bolts) without them knowing you were at GC first. See who's usually cheaper. If the independent store is cheaper and GC tells you they will beat it, ask them these magic questions: "If your deals are so great why were you so much higher to begin with?" and: " Do you mean to tell me that you would've over charged me if you could have gotten away with it?" After about 10-15 seconds of listening to their backpedaling, turn around, walk out and never return. Support you local store! Besides, why would anyone want to shop at a store where they refer to customer as "KILLS" (true story)?
2. Guitar Center is a "Puppy Mill". The employee turnover rate is astounding! The average amount of time a typical GC employee will last is about 2 months. While there are a few exceptions (FEW being the operative word here), most of the employees don't know squat about what they're selling and almost always don't know squat about salesmanship. Sales is about building relationships with your customers, not just cranking stuff out the door to make a quick sale. Long term relationships are key to long term growth. GC doesn't care to invest the effort into really training the staff to do that. Fine with me!!! My sales have been going up every year!
3. When GC moves into a new area, they have only one goal: to drive everyone else out of town though fair means or foul. They do not care a lick about the future of the people they sell to, only that they get their money, no matter what. I could tell you lots of stories about the sleazy garbage they've tried to pull in my area, but you should ask around your area and find out for yourself. Don't take my word for it.