• 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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customer service (59) guitar center (115)
Thumbnail of user mike.metzler1
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 30th, 2023

The store in Santa Maria has a bunch of dumb salesman. The manager was beyond rude. Don't go to this store. The reginal manager also was there and backed up the lame manager. Just order online if you must.

Products used:
Amp

Shipping
Returns
Thumbnail of user carmenc665
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 20th, 2023

I walked into Guitar Center in Winter Park with my 1990 Gibson Firebird. I was interested in selling the guitar. The second I walked in the store I felt every employee in there was completely cold and just had an attitude like they didn't want to be there. Kyler the manager took some pictures of the guitar he said it was going to be sent off to California and I never heard back. I called the store numerous times but they thought it was fun to just keep me on hold. Once I got in contact with Kyler he said oops I never sent the pictures but you should have an email well guess what no email no reply and absolute ridiculous service these guys don't want to be there they're just there for their hourly.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user richardp65
Ohio
3 reviews
1 helpful vote
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January 27th, 2015

If only Sweetwater.com had a local store like Guitarcenter does I would probably have bought a bunch of things from them, but actually being able to go and see/ play the instrument makes a huge difference in actually purchasing one. I recently purchased an NTX900FM Yamaha from Guitarcenter. They didn't have one, but did have its sibling an NTX700. I had been researching a guitar to add to my collection. I compared similar types on their site that helped me narrow down what I ended up with. I have had an account with guitarcenter for yrs.
The faces have changed through the yrs. But, the people are always nice and take care of me.
Though there have been mishaps, they always try to make it right and for the most part usually do. Thx guitarcenter.com! Sincerely, Richard Pitt

Thumbnail of user joel1166
New Mexico
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 25th, 2022

I tried to buy a thousand dollars worth of equipment to be delivered to me. After 5 days I noticed the status of the order didn't change. So I called. I was told it was being held due to fraud. Yet no one reached out to me. They didn't no why and they weren't willing to look into it. I had no choice but to cancel. They had no more info for me.
Bad business. Don't buy from these crooks.

Thumbnail of user charlesk1158
Colorado
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 1st, 2021

I purchased a new Taylor 414ce. I saw a video on Youtube that said I might get 70% of what I paid if trading for a higher priced guitar. I went back to trade up for a Taylor 814ce six months later. My 414 is in excellent condition. Not one scratch. They offered me 30% of what I paid for it. After I went home I looked on their web site and saw used 414's being sold for 90 to 95% of what I paid for the new one. And those guitars were not even in as good of condition as my guitar. NO THANKS.

Thumbnail of user jamest880
Florida
3 reviews
1 helpful vote
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March 27th, 2023

My buddy waited for over a month for used guitar to come off of police hold. He was waiting outside today, the first day available to buy and found out the manager Ron sold it out the door at 7:00 am before the store even opened. Can you say SHADY KICKBACK! Unscrupulous business practices at this store! Ron wouldnt even come out of his office. He knows he did something shady.This was the Hallandale Beach, Florida store btw.

Tip for consumers:
Stated

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user nf30
Massachusetts
1 review
4 helpful votes
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November 6th, 2014

If I could give these guys NO stars, I would. Fuster Cluck.

I ordered a gift card online, it took 2 weeks to PROCESS (not deliver). When it didn't arrive by the birthday, I asked if we could cancel, was told, no, but they could transfer the balance to the local guitar center without a problem. Um, not exactly. What they would need is me on the phone to authorize that WHILE my niece and brother were at the store AND the California helpless desk was available as well. Didn't happen. Two months after the fact, they credited my account (but didn't tell me - niiiiiice). So my niece got a boring check and it was LATE for her birthday. You guys ROT. We will never ever ever ever try this again.

Thumbnail of user rossr126
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
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September 23rd, 2022

I bought and returned a Gibson J-45 that was unplayable. I then bought a Martin HD-28 4K they wouldn't return it. I'm out 4K. How about a class action suit against them from any of you that has been damaged?

Tip for consumers:
Guitar center screwed me for 4K

Products used:
Martin HD-28 Dreadnaught guitar.

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user robinw71
Texas
11 reviews
15 helpful votes
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June 18th, 2017

This site is the bomb for any musicians. The staff is knowledgeable about their product. If you aren't familiar with an item they are quick to fill you in. Shipping is excellent and they are good about returns and exchanges.

Thumbnail of user ronr367
Colorado
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 3rd, 2019

Ordered the Avid Pro Tools download by chat (saved transcript), used some Gear rewards and was promised to receive code to activate within 24 hours. Called back 3 days later to inform never received email with code although order shows shipped. Was told GC would have to contact Avid to find out why. Requested cancellation as this was needed immediately. Called back to customer service 3 weeks later as still showing up on my gear credit card. Another 3 days and no refund or return contact from GC, only a refusal to refund despite never receiving product and totally lost earned gear reward bucks. Over numerous years I've spent several thousand dollars and too many useless customer service problems with this company. Our management group has finally decided, they are no longer worth doing business with. NO customer loyalty acknowledgment and disastrous ethics with lack of customer service expertise. Take note GC, you're not the only game in town3 STRIKESYOU'RE OUT!

Thumbnail of user marcusp144
Maryland
1 review
20 helpful votes
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May 20th, 2020

I placed an online order for curbside pickup due to COVID-19. They took the money from my account, but the status online with Guitar Center is still pending. It's been HOURS, I'm under a time crunch and was not able to assist my client. I feel like I wasted 1300 dollars, and no one can seem to give me a solid answer as to why the status is pending or why the purchase is taking so long. I have had several bad experiences with Guitar Center over the years, but this one takes the cake... 1300 dollars was deducted from my account and I STILL do not have a product. Order from Amazon and don't waste your time...

Thumbnail of user carol8105
Massachusetts
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 19th, 2023

..was talked down to by the lesson manager in Danvers. He was very snarky and condescending when we asked a follow up question to the last conversation we had (to find out when a lesson would be that he said he would have to figure out the scheduling for). Unfortunate. Really didn't have to happen.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user leroys50
Hungary
3 reviews
7 helpful votes
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October 27th, 2018

I used to love browsing the guitar center site. I was a regular costumer while I live in the US, but now that I'm in europe, I can't even access the site anymore because they are not gdpr compliant. Please fix this!

Thumbnail of user tannerp18
Georgia
2 reviews
37 helpful votes
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January 2nd, 2021

I recently bought a Squire bronco bass. Sounds great, and after you adjust the action, it is a band worthy bass. However I also recently got the nut of my guitar fixed. Yikes! $90!. Which is absolutely outrageous. (In my professional belief). The tool kit is $30, and a good quality nut is $10. I get having to pay the bills, but $90, is a bit much.

Tip for consumers:
Check other sites first, smaller businesses.

Products used:
Squire Bronco Bass, Repairs on a Fender Stratocaster

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user davidw6019
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 11th, 2022

I had been looking for a specific guitar for some time. I wound up finding what I was looking for at the GC in Brooklyn. I live in Chicago wanted to trade a guitar. I arranged to have GC Central Chicago to purchase my guitar and then place an online order at the Brooklyn store. GC was having issues with their system so the guy at GC Central Chicago store had the Brooklyn store hold it until it went through. We ultimately got the order through. I was psyched and appreciative of the collaboration on the part of both stores. The following day I got an email from the Brooklyn store that they canceled my order because it was already on layaway for someone else. Total crap excuse since it was supposed to be set aside for me already. No idea what actually happened but I can assure you it should have been mine.

I will not do business with GC again.

Thumbnail of user johnw4988
Arizona
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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September 15th, 2022

Today I stop by guitar center in Arizona no one never came up to me ask can they help me with anything I were very happy to have my wife me first time here on vacation so I told her let's go she said that's a first you're ready to leave before me

Service
Thumbnail of user trevorc66
Canada
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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April 27th, 2022

There is a new scam site that is piggy backing off of the good name of guitarcenter.com (Guitar Center). Be aware that guitarcenters. Center is a scam site with outrageously good prices advertised. Make sure you use guitarcenter.com.
LEGIT: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic-Electric-Guitars.gc
FAKE: https://guitarcenters.center/

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Thumbnail of user bobr1164
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 8th, 2024

Went to two Guitar Centers to buy a guitar. Not one person in either one came over to help. Even when I asked for help they were to busy on their phone. Bought from Sam Ash.

Products used:
Guitar

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user derrekm1
Texas
1 review
1 helpful vote
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September 9th, 2021

Trust me never do business with these people. You asked for new oh, they text you asking if you want to buy their wall hangers. Not even the first time this has happened

Tip for consumers:
Never use guitar center

Products used:
None

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user markc562
Arkansas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 25th, 2018

Came in the store and wanted to trade in pedals and didnt like a person that worked in the back, he was always rude to me.(fayetteville arkansas) and i told them that and they were going to kick me out (been shopping therefor years) willNOT go back!

Thumbnail of user drcdfellows
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 5th, 2023

Avoid this GC location at all costs. All the negative reviews should have warned me. Went in to buy an amp, ant the sales person told me they were having an "in house sale" and quoted me a pice for the amp he said was in stock. Waited around 20 minutes to find the amp. Salesman said the amp was MIA, but they would order the amp. I said OK. I waited around 20 more minutes, for him to only say he couldn't honor the price he quoted me. 40 minutes wasted on these losers. Avoid this GC location at all costs. The parent company of this location should take note of all the negative reviews about this location

Tip for consumers:
Avoid this GC location at all costs. All the negative reviews should have warned me. Went in to buy an amp, ant the sales person told me they were having an “in house sale” and quoted me a pice for the amp he said was in stock. Waited around 20 minutes to find the amp. Salesman said the amp was MIA, but they would order the amp. I said OK. I waited around 20 more minutes, for him to only say he couldn’t honor the price he quoted me. 40 minutes wasted on these losers. Avoid this GC location at al

Products used:
Fender amplifier

Value
Thumbnail of user markw3215
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 31st, 2022

On 8/7/2022 my $2,600 beautiful Martin guitar was stolen from my vehicle in Stafford, VA. The thief sold my guitar to Guitar Center - Laurel, MD and it was subsequently sold to a customer. Guitar Center - Laurel was made aware by police that they had purchased a stolen guitar with the confirmed serial # of my guitar. They have done absolutely nothing to reacquire my guitar and return it to me nor have the Laurel police department. It's difficult to know that my stolen guitar has been located and neither Guitar Center - Laurel or the police care enough to get my guitar back to me.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user claytonr10
New Hampshire
61 reviews
313 helpful votes
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December 19th, 2016

I asked for a Digidesign Mbox 2 mini with Pro Tools LE for Christmas. So my friend decided to buy it for me. Well, he chose guitar center and well... GC is officially my grinch. And here is why:
They ordered it, and then they got an email saying it was backordered. So they waited. Then they got an email saying their order was cancelled. Why not just shop somewhere else, you may ask? Well guitar center won't give them their refund until 30 days. So now my christmas is ruined because of these guys. I asked for one thing for christmas - and these guys blew it. I am infuriated. GC is officially a grinch. I do not recommend buying from these guys. If I were you, I'd take your business to Sweetwater. They may not have the best prices, but at least you'll get your damn product.
I hope you're proud of yourselves for ruining my christmas, Guitar Center!

Tip for consumers:
Stay away. Go to Sweetwater or Reverb or JRRshop. Especially JRR shop & sweetwater. Those 2 will not let you down. Guitar Center will eat you up & spit you out. They do not care about you or your musical goals. Matter of fact I'd be surprised if they are even musicians. Just stay away.
Also, ZZounds is a place worth looking too. Their payments plans are amazing & if you have bad credit or no credit, that is not a problem. You will still get in.

Service
Shipping
Thumbnail of user robertd1679
Maryland
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 24th, 2020

My pre-amp blew in my amplifier. I had a job on September 4th and 5th so I ordered a Marshall Code 50 off of there website because it said they had it in stock, There was no activity on the order for a couple of days so I called to follow up and was told that the amp would be delivered to my house on August 28th. On the 29th I get an email telling me the amp is back-ordered! So I called them back today and they are telling me that it will be arriving on September 5th!. I called and the attitude I got from them was basically it is what it is... and "Oh well" and thats how it ended. Could have offered a loaner or something but nothing! Still waiting to hear from the supervisor. Lets see what happens.

Thumbnail of user dennisb1157
New Jersey
1 review
4 helpful votes
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May 20th, 2022
Verified purchase

I purchased a used Epiphone Sheraton II from Guitar Center's on line web site. I first called the store where it was located to see if it came with a case and to do a reality check on the condition. The salesman who answered the phone took my phone number, said he would check out the guitar and get back to me. Half an hour later, he called back and said the guitar comes with a case, it looks great. Plays great... the neck was a little out but he gave the truss rod a tweak and now it's great. I brought the guitar for fair market value at the time... about $550 plus tax and shipping. It played well enough but when I took it to my tech for a set up, he found that the truss rod was damaged beyond repair, loose, stripped and incapable to being "tweaked" in any fashion whatsoever. Unfortunately I found this out shortly after the 45 day return period. I called Guitar Center Customer Service to see if they would extend the 45 day return policy and let me return the guitar for store credit towards another used Sheraton II in light of the fraudulent misrepresentation made to me by their Sales Rep about the truss rod. They responded with a simple "NO". They didn't even offer to contact the store where the guitar came from to investigate my claim. They just didn't care. Unlike Guitar Center, I will NOT resell this guitar and take someone else's money knowing what that salesman knew when he sold the guitar to me. $550 for firewood. Thank you Guitar Center... you lost a long time customer.

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Duncan C.
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