• Guitar Center

Guitar Center

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Overview

Guitar Center has a rating of 1.5 stars from 201 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Guitar Center most frequently mention customer service, next day, and credit card problems. Guitar Center ranks 154th among Music Equipment sites.

  • Service
    84
  • Value
    72
  • Shipping
    65
  • Returns
    52
  • Quality
    59

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 12.5%
Positive
2
Neutral
0
Negative
14
46
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How would you rate Guitar Center?
Top Positive Review

“Great Customer Service”

Claudio S.
3/18/24

So I needed to cop a new guitar cuz my old one was all busted and stuff, you know how it be. Anywayz, I headeded to Guitar Center and damn they got mad optons yo! I ended up grabin' this sick Fender Strat and it's like butter bro, sooo smooth to play. The guys at Guitar Center was mad chill and hooked it up wit a discount too which was flame. No cap, they know they stuff and helped me get exactly what I needed. Solid expireance overall, deffly reccomend Guitar Center if u need any music gear frfr. Aight peace!

Top Critical Review

“Scammed”

Daniel S.
9/27/24

Once again, I was scammed by this company and left holding the bag. This time, with a mesa amplifier. The item started malfunction ing right after the "return window". Shocker. It kept getting worse, guitar center refuses any connection to it, and refuses to address this issue in any way other than "should have paid hundreds for our pro coverage." Avoid these people. Sweetwater always honors their deals, and always goes above and beyond to make sure the customer is taken care of. Go through them instead. I have had guitar center clsoe my account, and remove all data from their back end. Scammers till the end as per usual.

Reviews (201)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (59) guitar center (115)
Thumbnail of user nettiet3
Michigan
40 reviews
161 helpful votes
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June 2nd, 2022

Guitar Center used to be the top dog for band and studio equipment. Now they're nothing but suck rip-off artists. Quick to sell you the priciest item in stock. But if it goes bad or breaks down within the 14-day return... they blow you off like hot bread. I've been ripped off several times. And it's taken complaints to the BBB and their HQ, to get any response and resolution. Pathetic.

Tip for consumers:
AVOID

Products used:
Studio recording equipment

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user jamesjudson230
West Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 21st, 2023

Went to Southington store today where Staff member named David went above and beyond to help me with a long unresolved problem.
Snnchonty Bank and other Guitar Center staff did absolutely nothing and totally ignored my problem. David is equivalent to numerous outstanding employees in one. All others can learn a great deal from him if they would make an honest effort. Once again, hats off to David at the Southington Guitar Center!

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user shredm
Colorado
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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February 19th, 2018

I deal with the Arvada Colorado location mostly and their staff is super cool. Zero attitude given, no pressure felt and doesnt matter what level of musician you are, they simply take care of you. Going to this location is always a good experience, however the online experience is great as well. I have found amazing deals online and all stores in the country can be accessed for inventory in mere seconds. I have called many other stores to purchase something and have it sent to my home store. Always friendly and professional. Thank you Guitar Center staff!

Thumbnail of user marcip38
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 18th, 2022

I ordered an advertised drum set and was told it was in stock. My cc and order was processed the next day I received an email stating I cancelled my order. I called and informed the call center I had not cancelled. The customer service rep began a run around about a more expensive drum set, excuses about the set maybe incomplete, the whole experience felt like a come on. Go else where.

Thumbnail of user katarinaw1
California
13 reviews
41 helpful votes
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January 20th, 2018

I took my guitar in for a broken knob and the guy who fixes things hooked me up with a matching knob within minutes of arriving. I could have paid him $10 to install the knob for me, but opted to install myself.
Besides their fix it center, I love guitar center because they let me play whatever I want, from drums to banjos, for however long I want, no questions asked. Plus, the staff is knowledgeable on their guitars, ukuleles, and equipment. I've bought ukulele's and electric guitars from Guitar Center and for a couple extra $, you can get a 2 or 4 year warranty on your product.

Thumbnail of user tracym1269
Pennsylvania
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 15th, 2022

I ordered 2 separate times for 2 different guitars and both orders were canceled with no explanation. 1 was showing back order so I didn't mind that sweetwater had it in stock. The 2nd was showing in stock on their web page but after a week my order didn't move and today the money is back in my acct. Won't buy from again. Horrible service. Signed up for lessons buy I may cancel those as well.

Tip for consumers:
Ask if this guitar is from their wall or new in box. I wanted a new guitar that not every tom $#*! and Harry played.

Products used:
I bought the guitar from a different company

Service
Value
Shipping
Thumbnail of user isg2
Oregon
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 27th, 2020

I was browsing GC guitars. I saw a Les Paul I would have liked to own. The information for a payment plan was definitely in my budget. I ordered it and waited for over a week. My order was canceled with out any explanation. Now I have an opened a line of credit not guitar. Guitar Center biggest waste of time.

Thumbnail of user michaelc466
Tennessee
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
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April 19th, 2023

I ordered some DJ lights at guitar center at Jw clay blvd Charlotte nc. After standing in line behind a customer for about 10 minutes. Finally I get to the counter. I gave the salesman my information & then another customer steps up to ask the salesman a question. The salesman steps away from the counter leaving me at the counter & begins to help the other customer for about 5 minutes as though I wasn't even there. That was very rude from the salesman & the customer & very unprofessional.

Thumbnail of user breanar7
North Carolina
1 review
4 helpful votes
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September 29th, 2020

I placed an order over 2 weeks ago. When I placed the order online it said it was in stock, I checked back the next few days and it said back ordered. I called the customer service and they said it would ship from a Raleigh store & I'll receive the email that day about it... nothing. I called back the next day and it said it was going to ship from the Fayetteville store, I called that store and they said they didn't even have it in stock. I called customer service again for the 3rd time and cancelled my order. They advertise delivery in 3-5 days and as of today it's been 14. I would stay away from this company.

Thumbnail of user kristenm522
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 7th, 2022

I ordered my products 3 days before a show to get over night shipping and paid 35 dollars extra for it to be here and it said it won't be here two days after my show, I had no other choice to get it three days before it has been out of stock

Tip for consumers:
Go to the store and get it if they have it

Products used:
Bose mixer

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user wann10
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 4th, 2016

Beware that even though when you purchase an item that is no longer in stock and says it will be back ordered, and even if it says right there in your face, on the item's page that you will NOT be charged until the item ships (usually 2-3 months in the future), when you make the purchase, the funds will immediately be taken from your bank (i. E. for Wells Fargo, it showed up as "Pending" and the funds were no longer available for any other use - which of course if you are purchasing a $3,000 keyboard or are low on funds, will immediately open you to a negative balance and therefore NSF fees). It takes about a week for the funds to be returned and in my case, Wells Fargo to remove the "pending" transaction from history. 1 Lowered star for that.

Other than that, 1 lowered star for high prices too.

Thumbnail of user ronb274
Tennessee
1 review
4 helpful votes
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July 31st, 2018

In a nutshell, I couldn't order online because they wouldn't accept either of two strong, clear, valid credit cards. Tried to chat about it, but chat was down; tried to email about it, but that page doesn't exist. With good vendors like Amazon and Sweetwater providing good customer service, why would the Guitar Center allow themselves to have such a shoddy operation? If I didn't have a Guitar Center gift card, I'd never deal with them ever again.

Thumbnail of user smhhorriblev
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 22nd, 2023

Horrible service was there 20 minutes trying to get help finding a case for a guitar out of 5 people only 1 could help but was busy at the register. Rude unprofessional horrible service left couldn't stand around all day hoping to get some service.

Products used:
Nothing no one ever came to help me horrible service

Service
Thumbnail of user timothya135
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 23rd, 2020

I ordered a bass amp on Guitar Center's website. I was promised a brand new one. When I received it I noticed that for one it wasn't in the original packaging no paperwork and it was wrapped in bubble wrap and packing paper. When I unwrapped it I noticed big scratches on the cabinet on both sides and on the front bottom which I was very upset about then went to power it up and it didn't even power up. It didn't even work. I paid over $400 for this amp. I did call them right away and was told that they will send UPS back to pick it up and return it for refund. I was looking so forward to be able to play my bass out of my new amp just to be completely heart broken and very upset. I did buy a new bass from them and it was delivered in great shape and works and plays wonderfully. What happened? Unbelievable! I hope they do what they say and send a truck back to my home to get it!

Thumbnail of user codyy7
Virginia
1 review
3 helpful votes
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September 29th, 2020

I paid for express shipping but the order still hasn't even been processed. It should have arrived in two days but it's the third and not even processed. They said they'd refund the shipping but I still haven't seen that.

Thumbnail of user melissas244
Colorado
1 review
2 helpful votes
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November 7th, 2017

Ordered used guitar, sent confirmation email. 3 days go by and receive "order cancelled" email. I did not cancel order. Check and charge went through on credit card. Call customer service who reorders same used guitar and agrees to waive charge to expedite shipping. Get email confirmation... charged me full expedited shipping. Now 2 sales tying up card and no guitar! Sketchier than Craigslist

Thumbnail of user chuckw10
Texas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 2nd, 2014

I went to the Waco Texas store asking for a trade in value on my Cordoba GK studio guitar. The manager told me he would give me $150 and sale it for $250. He told me this price is based on lowest price he found on ebay. I asked if this was apples to apples, he told me it did not matter. I showed him the current guitar center used price for this same guitar. He stated that the GC site was most likely outdated. I told him it made no sense that they would sale this guitar in his store for $250 when all other guitar centers, about 7 around the US priced this used for around $450. I think this is a con job!

Service
Thumbnail of user tacp
California
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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June 15th, 2022
Verified purchase

I was in the market for 2 Alto TS312 Powered Speakers.
First, it shows they inventory at store, got their but no they don't have it.

So sameday on Sunday I ordered online. Wednesday no tracking info. Called their customer service and "they have to reach out the store to see if they have inventory". No one were available. So I got fed up and canceled. The process I learned is just Stupid.
They don't warehouse is fine but the store doesn't update their inventory status.

Tip for consumers:
Inventory control

Products used:
Alto TS312

Service
Value
Shipping
Thumbnail of user mollyb20
New York
1 review
2 helpful votes
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June 15th, 2016

Im very angry that guitar center paid the thief that stole my guitar! I bought the guitar from them and they had the serial number registered. Of course they bought it for half of what I paid and sold it immediately. It's criminal!

Thumbnail of user georgesr9
California
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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September 21st, 2022

I was looking forward for Williams digital grand piano II. I went to guitar center store and they ordered this piano as well as other items for me which cost me around $2500. The day they deliver it, the delivery man refuses to enter the house or even the front yard to deliver the piano. He says that he is going to leave it on the curbside on the street. This will be thte last time ordering from guitar center. Such a waste of time.

Products used:
I need to try to find other or same product somewhere else

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Thumbnail of user disappointedc211
Arizona
1 review
2 helpful votes
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July 21st, 2022

I bought a Schecter bass "brand new", & the tech was suppose to set it up. The action is horrible, & the strings buzz, even when playing open strings. Today it started squealing high pitch sounds, just by being plugged in, without even playing the strings. When I change the 9v, it sounds like a short circuit from botched internal wiring. Their customer service is even worse. Save your money, & go somewhere reputable

Tip for consumers:
Go to a reputable music company

Products used:
Schecter bass

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user benjaminc322
Texas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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October 24th, 2021

I once sold a crybaby wah pedal that I bought for at least $70 to Guitar Center and the offered me like $20 for it. I only sold it because I need to get rid of some stuff right away, but I wish I had sold to somewhere else. Anything I have gotten at Guitar Center, I could easily have gotten somewhere else. I would order from Sweetwater. THEY provide quality service. For repairs, find a local small business or Sam ash or something. They are plenty of better alternatives to Guitar Center.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user sylvial263
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 26th, 2022

Guitar center cuxs my teen daughter bought guitar lessons 4) only received 3 they do not honor what the are selling you Beth is not a lady of here word and the manager is one sided only this location is at creek side in New Braunfels tx.

Thumbnail of user kevinc2034
Nevada
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 26th, 2022

I1 am NOT happy with such and feel like I should of bought else where. Like Amazon and/or ebay. Thought I found what I wanted and bought 2 different Dj control boxes from guitar center. One was a Numark and the other was a pioneer. Both units came with knobs missing on the units. One should of came with a hard travel case which I never got and one didn't even come with a power cord and had to order such on ebay. Next time I will stick with Amazon and/or ebay

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user robertg684
Utah
4 reviews
10 helpful votes
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May 6th, 2022

You know how it's fun to go to places like music stores, gun shops, whatever your "thing" is and hang with fellow enthusiasts? Yeah, not so much at GC in Orem. I admit, I'm middle aged and have short hair and am a fit person. So apparently I don't meet their screening criteria. Walking in I got the stink eye from all the employees standing around doing nothing. I think there was one other customer in there. I waked straight to the drum section and started quietly testing out some hi hats. No one came within 30 feet. I was prepared to walk out with a full set of Zildjian HHX, including the hi hats. Plus I saw a great DW snare on sale for $500 that I might have taken too. Instead, I'll buy from Sweetwater and you can bet I won't be back at GC again.

Tip for consumers:
Skip Guitar Center

Products used:
Zero

Service

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Guitar Center is the world's largest musical instruments retailer. Shop Guitars, Bass, Drums, Amps, DJ, Keyboards, Pro-Audio and more. Most orders ship free!

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Thumbnail of user emilyn11
Duncan C.
Typically does not respond to reviews

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