Ohio Senator - Posted - 07/31/2009:  07:46:37

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Hey everyone, just trying to get the word out that you can search for used items at guitarcenter.com and link to the "used" page, here:
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedGear/index.cfm
We usually have pictures up for everything within a day or two. The only exception is on Vintage gear, and we're working on that.

I'm the Operations Manager at the Columbus, Ohio store, and just trying to get the word out that we have some pretty cool banjos here at my store.
We've got:
Used Fender 70's Artist banjo with a Steve Ryan 3 ply Maple Pot for $1279
Used Sullivan Greenbriar for $1299
Used Wildwood Paragon w burl walnut resonator $2099
Vintage 1969 Gibson RB250 $2499 (I have a separate post on here for that one w a link to a
photo), this one is truly a steal, and why I even began putting info up on our inventory here...

And we just got a Gibson A9 mando in yesterday that's really clean for $1699

Just trying to get the word out that, at least in our Columbus store, you can find some pretty cool gear, and you will have a staff (incl myself and the General Manager) that knows what they are talking about when it comes to bluegrass instruments!

Thanks everyone for looking!
Call us with any questions @ 614-436-2600
-Josh

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Edited by - jazzylynne on 08/05/2009 10:39:08

granada40 - Posted - 07/31/2009:  08:01:21

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I wish they had good banjos like a Gibson up in the Plano store. The only good banjo they usually have in there is a Deering Goodtime 2.

Gold Star GF-100 Conversion

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Edited by - granada40 on 07/31/2009 14:48:48

Banjov1 - Posted - 07/31/2009:  08:10:12

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That's a RIDICULOUS price for that Sullivan. Is there anything wrong with it?

Tony

JIMBO53 - Posted - 07/31/2009:  08:32:07

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quote:

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That's a RIDICULOUS price for that Sullivan. Is there anything wrong with it?

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TRUE THAT-I'd almost risk being in the dog house for an indefinate period of time with the MRS due and unauthorized and unapproved purchase of YET ANOTHER BANJO........

"Life Has Been Easier On Me Than Any Lazy Person Like Myself Has The Right To Expect"-Pete Seeger

newbieonthebanjo - Posted - 07/31/2009:  10:06:56

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do you have a link for the Paragon? I don't see it listed- thanks!

Ohio Senator - Posted - 07/31/2009:  11:01:09

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You can find the Paragon by searching "Paragon" only. We somehow didn't put "banjo" in the title! Must've been too excited!
If you want more info or pics, just click on the "ask a question" link for the fastest response.
p.s. the "coral" binding on that is really nice!

Ohio Senator - Posted - 07/31/2009:  11:08:21

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The Sullivan needs a new head immediately.
The old one let loose from the ring holding it together in one corner, and we were about to order a new one, but decided to drop the price to a crazy level ($700 off our previous price) for our August Anniversary month sale. As a result the action dropped and its currently buzzing hard, but a new head would fix that straight away.
It had a Remo on it (figures!)...I'd order a 5 star, but for the $700 off we figured we'd leave that to the buyer and just sell it "as is". Besides. it takes a few weeks for the heads to arrive to us anyway, and I doubt that it'll still be here at that price long.
Other than that, it just needs a good cleaning of all the chrome, and its would be good to go.
We have already received NUMEROUS calls about this one, and I don't expect it to last the weekend!
Thanks,
Josh

SandyR - Posted - 08/02/2009:  10:35:37

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quote:

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It had a Remo on it (figures!)...I'd order a 5 star,...

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This can't be from Columbus, Ohio! (Just kidding, but when I lived there you didn't see many banjo pickers preferring 5-Star over Remo.)

Ohio Senator - Posted - 08/03/2009:  05:22:13

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Well, I started out a drummer, and don't like most of what Remo has to offer, which is why I'd try a 5 star. I personally play nothing but Deering, and I wonder who actually makes their heads, cause it could possibly be Remo.
Plus, we actually ordered a new Remo for this banjo and put it on a couple months ago, and its the same one that already broke!

maurice minger - Posted - 08/03/2009:  06:17:19

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Do you have a picture of the sullivan banjo or has it sold already
Maurice

rjanecek - Posted - 08/03/2009:  06:38:05

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sullivan is sold and sold soon after this thread.. no I didnt get to it in time...

Rick

rjanecek - Posted - 08/03/2009:  19:01:24

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so far I am very VERY far from being impressed with GC with this deal.. Not your store, but another one I sent 2 emails, did the "buy" waited to hear back, nothing.. So I called, spoke with a salesman, he said he needed to look into something and would call me back in 15 mins..

I called back an hour later, and he said he would get right back to me in 5 mins

this again was over an hour ago...

Rick

scruggsfan03 - Posted - 08/03/2009:  19:52:54

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I just had a not-so-good experience with a GC here in Texas. I thought I had an old Gibson tenor bought at a very good price. After giving me an in-hand description over the phone, the sales guy said he would put it in the back for me until the next day. Luckily, I called early the next morning prior to making the 2-1/2 hour drive, and they said a guy from NY had actually purchased it prior to my first phone call. What's so difficult about putting a sold sign on an instrument to prevent these kinds of mix-ups? I'm just glad I didn't waist about five hours and a whole bunch of fuel.

NDJohn - Posted - 08/04/2009:  07:16:12

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Josh,

I followed the link to the used gear in your first posting, and filled out the form requesting more information about a particular instrument in the Atlanta store.

This was last week; I have yet to hear anything back in response.

We realize that managing customer relations at all the GC stores is obviously not your responsibility, but with the experiences posted in this thread, you might want to inform the higher-ups with the company that the stores are not presenting a very good image.

Best,

John


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John Miller
ej.miller@ndsu.edu or ejmiller@ideaone.net

rjanecek - Posted - 08/04/2009:  08:03:38

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John

thats the store Im refering to as well.... I just spoke with someone else there and requested to NOT have the salesman I spoke with last night vall me back,..

thing is, with the 15 mins and than 5, I waited all evening and had other plans.... Not too cool

Rick

spring5497 - Posted - 08/04/2009:  10:12:42

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Josh
I requested more info on the Sullivan minutes after the post and I have never heard back. I only found out the Sullivan had sold due to a post. Is this the standard customer service for GC?

Jayson

rjanecek - Posted - 08/04/2009:  10:18:59

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quote:

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requested more info on the Sullivan minutes after the post

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no disrespect as I know the point your tyring to make, but next time you see something like that, CALL immediately not email..

Rick

Ohio Senator - Posted - 08/05/2009:  05:46:47

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Firstly,
I'd like to apologize for any poor experience anyone has had dealing with our other stores. There really is no excuse for it, the only poor excuse I have to offer is that some areas are still getting used to the online process. But, failing to call back when you say you will is a BIG no-no for us, so I'd encourage anyone who has had that issue to call the store in question and ask to speak with the manager. You can also send your info in via guitarcenter.com if you feel it has reached the level of a serious complaint. Unfortunatly, until I get a decent promotion :), I can only control what goes on in my store, and possibly within my district.
As far as the holds go, the Sullivan is actually a good example. Shortly after I started this thread, a guy called from Florida and wanted us to put the banjo on hold for him. We did for a short period of time...during which I posted on HERE that it had sold. He ended up NOT wanting it (within the hour), and I had to post on here that I was mistaken. We often do hold items for our customers, but usually ones that we have multiples of or are regular stock. It's much harder to do so with used gear, because of its uniqueness. I would suggest that if anyone wants to put something on "hold" that is used, to put at least 25% down right away and just have it put on layaway. You can always get that money back if you don't want it. Better yet, just buy it, since you will have a 30 day return policy, and can return an item bought anywhere in the country at your local GC for a full refund!
Hope this helps, and seriously, get word to the management in those stores regarding any issues you are having, and it will be dealt with accordingly.
Thanks,
-Josh
p.s. We still have that sweet 1969 RB250!

ronbushong - Posted - 08/05/2009:  06:45:17

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Josh,
Thanks for your initial post with the link to the used instruments. I was very interested in the Sullivan and so followed the link and sent in a request for more info on Sat morning - then I left home for a couple hours. Within an hour after my request for info, my wife received a call from the Columbus store regarding the request. The representative (Rena) said she would call back at 2pm. I was back home and took that call - came in promply at 2:00. While Rena admitted that she was not a banjo expert, she gave me a very descript "in hand" inspection report over the phone. When she could not answer questions about shipping to Michigan, she checked with her supervisor and called me right back. I was very impressed with the quick response that my request received.
While not really "needing" to add an eigth banjo to the arsenal, I was still pretty hot after the Greenbriar. But, my wife and I were also running late to get to a pig roast... so I did not take time to close the deal. Rena informed me that they could not hold it w/o 25% down - and I agree with that policy. I decided to let thoughts of fresh pig and cold beer pull me away from locking the deal. Big mistake. Even though I even had the wif'e's blessing on the purchase, I decided that I'd hold off temporarily and grab it if it was still available when they open the Columbus store on Sunday morning. Sunday morning... It was already gone - but I had my opportunity.
I just wanted to take a minute and relate my experience with the customer service at your Columbus store - I thought it was excellent.
Thanks again for the post letting us all know about the deals.

Ron

beegee - Posted - 08/05/2009:  18:31:22

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I couldn't find any info on a Fender Artist on the website.

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

wildboar - Posted - 08/05/2009:  21:04:36

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beegee, I was there yesterday and they still have the Fender. It's been there for a few months.

msujc - Posted - 08/06/2009:  05:25:35

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Just wanted to let everyone know I purchased the Sullivan. I drove a little over 5 hours to inspect it and purchased it. I am currently working on getting it back to top shape. As far as the store is concerned they were all very nice to me. I made a few phone calls along the trip to make sure someone had not purchased it already. I didn't get back home until 3am with all the rain. I have had some bad experiences with guitar center at another location, but must say with the exception of the guy I had been talking to alread left for the day I was treated great. I apologize to anyone who may be upset that I purchased the instrument. I don't know GC's policy, I just know that I called and they said they had the banjo in stock and that some folks had called but it was not spoken for. I left without asking them to reserve it because I was not aware that was an option. I made the drive in hopes it would still be there when I arrived. I almost got there just as the store was closing. I will be glad to post a picture, video or sound clip and a review of the instrument for anyone considering another Sullivan.

ronbushong - Posted - 08/06/2009:  10:29:31

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Congrats msujc - I'm happy you got it. If it's anything like how they described it to me - you got a smokin' good deal on a fine banjo.
I had a voice mail from the Columbus store waiting for me when I got home last night telling me that it was still available... it was probably already in your car by then though.
Thanks for bringing closure... now it's really gone. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Your offer of pics and a sound clip would be welcomed to my eyes and ears...
Best regards,

Ron

rjanecek - Posted - 08/10/2009:  05:56:24

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I ended up getting the Kentucky 700 mandolin that was also listed on the site, different store. It really wasnt as easy as I thought, it owuld be, but than again I dont think that GC is really geared up for online sales, its more of a walk in store at the moment right?

I had requested to speak with another salesman as the first just wasted my time, the second gave me a good in hand description, strummed it a little for me, gave me a better deal on a case than the first would and did a great job packing it up for me... He didnt call me back with a follow up with the shipping info, but really wasnt needed anyway....

so it worked out for me as well...

Rick