GC 15% coupon question

[Eric Smith]

I have seen it a few times where a member will claim that GC will accept a coupon such as the current 15% one that they have available right now even though a vendor that they are purchasing a product from isn't listed as participating in the promotion. I called to order a guitar that my GC, or possibly any of their stores, doesn't stock and asked about the coupon. The lady told me that Fender is not participating and that I would be paying the listed price.

My question is for those that claim to have done this is simply, how did you do it and was it in the store or online?

 

[strat1701]

they are forever trying to fleece people with the whole 'msrp' thing. There is that price, then retail price and then 'real world' pricing. If you know the 'real world' price, go there with cash in hand for what you want, they'll balk at it, but try to walk out, then they suddenly want to go speak to their manager....it's all a sales gimmick bs with their 'coupons'. I got the flyer in the mail the other day and promptly put it in the recycling bin. their 'coupons' are merely a tactic to get you in the store.

Case in point. When I got my class 5 from there recently, I printed out the same thing from Musicians Friend (which GC owns) and demanded they match price. I also had 2 items of gear I was going to trade in to get it. They told me I was to get an additional 15% off becuase I was trading in my gear, but I didn't see it anywhere on my bill. TYPICAL. They said they could get a manager over to 'describe' the policy but I know it's bullsht and they had already made me wait FAR longer for that transaction than I wanted to. they at least price matched the amp from their own competitor.

Bottom line is, cash in hand with the price YOu want to pay (which is the real world price) and those clowns will suddenly manage and agree to apply that coupon for that brand that 'isn't participating' in their sales promo gimmick.

 

[Eric Smith]

Sure, but this over the phone.

 

[Actinic]

Call up the internet retailer phone number and ask them how you can get the 15% discount. They may offer you a 15% credit, to be applied to other items such as effects pedals, strings, accessories, etc. You still wind up spending a grand on a $1000 guitar, but you get a $150 credit to be applied to other merchandise.

In store, it's a different story. I have had salesmen and managers price match at the discounted price, even on orders on guitars not in stock. It all depends on your rapport, and past buying history with the salesman. The odds of this tactic working are low nowadays, since the current owner (Bain Capital?) probably does not approve of such undocumented deals.

 

[strat1701]

Sure, but this over the phone.

Order it over the phone, but don't pay in full. You are NOT required to do so. DO NOT agree on ANY price at all, tell them you will settle up when the item comes in. THEN that's when you do the haggling.

Let's say your guitar is 1999.99 msrp and that's what they say they want to charge. They only need like 20% down to order it (or at least what I was told as I never order shit from GC special, just haggle with them). When it arrives tell them, take your downpayment, and this amount as the difference, as that's all I want to pay for it, if they don't like it, then they have to issue you a refund.

 

[Strato]

I picked up one of Feather's monitors during the winter months with one but had to call customer service 1-800 number for it to be excepted. I was told that the stores didn't except them if the manufacture wasn't participating but over the telephone with them I saved a few bucks on a KRK 8.
Good luck.

 

[dennis g]

In store, it's a different story. I have had salesmen and managers price match at the discounted price, even on orders on guitars not in stock. It all depends on your rapport, and past buying history with the salesman. The odds of this tactic working are low nowadays, since the current owner (Bain Capital?) probably does not approve of such undocumented deals.

I got the 15% off my Gibby 339 when I ordered it a couple of years ago. I was IN the store (GC) and talking with the dept mgr. And yeah, it helps if they recognized you from being in there and if you're a "buyer" rather than looker. Ya don't ask, ya don't get!

 

[Hairless_Ape]

Eric, I use MF over GC as the coupons tend to be better most of the time. Here's how I get them to work...

Put whatever it is you want in your cart and try to enter the code. You'll get a little error message in a pop-up window. There will be a link in the pop-up window you can click for live support. When the little chat bubble comes up tell them you were trying to use the coupon on an American Standard Strat...Fender participates, but not advertised. Gibson doesn't participate at all, so if you tell them it's a Gibson they won't give you the override coupon code. The coupon code will work on EVERYTHING. And not just one item in your cart, your entire order.

 

[Kalamazuu]

When I got my class 5, I just had the coupon, and cash in hand and they took it. But there was a $10 shipping fee which was complete BS, but I didn't want to bother at that point.

 

[dennis g]

When I got my class 5, I just had the coupon, and cash in hand and they took it. But there was a $10 shipping fee which was complete BS, but I didn't want to bother at that point.

Funny how that works. I ordered my 339 on 12/22. It was shipping from their DC in Utah to my house. At NO additional cosst to me, their DC shipped it UPS 2 day and my b'day present to me actually arrived on my b'day, 12/24!!

 

[Eric Smith]

Eric, I use MF over GC as the coupons tend to be better most of the time. Here's how I get them to work...

Put whatever it is you want in your cart and try to enter the code. You'll get a little error message in a pop-up window. There will be a link in the pop-up window you can click for live support. When the little chat bubble comes up tell them you were trying to use the coupon on an American Standard Strat...Fender participates, but not advertised. Gibson doesn't participate at all, so if you tell them it's a Gibson they won't give you the override coupon code. The coupon code will work on EVERYTHING. And not just one item in your cart, your entire order.

Good advice. I will try it with something else since they don't carry this guitar. I know that it is only $75, but hey why not.

Fender FSR Standard Ash Telecaster Electric Guitar | GuitarCenter

 

[Hairless_Ape]

Good advice. I will try it with something else since they don't carry this guitar. I know that it is only $75, but hey why not.

Fender FSR Standard Ash Telecaster Electric Guitar | GuitarCenter

That reminds me...if you tell them it's a Fender that's under $1k they'll offer you a coupon code for less, probably 10%. Even if it's something over the dollar amount the coupon says you need for the max discount. They don't actually check what's in your cart, just tell them you have one in there.

 

[Eric Smith]

Honestly, I'm trying to figure out why MF doesn't have this guitar and GC does. WWBW, which is another one of the sister companies, also has it but they don't have any coupons. They do have it used at some pretty good prices though.

 

[AxeBuilder]

ADVICE: TREAT GUITAR CENTER LIKE YOU WOULD TREAT A USED CAR DEALER!

With that, you'll know what to expect and how to "negotiate"....

 

[Eric Smith]

I get what you mean, but this guitar is ONLY available on their web site or I could order it by telephone. Kind of hard to negotiate when they don't know me nor I them. FWIW, the GC that I go to is pretty good. Oh sure they have their moments, but as long as you deal with the right person, it can be a pretty good experience.

 

[Chicago John]

Keep trying if you get turned down, and eventually you'll find someone who will let you have the deal.

 

[Eric Smith]

So does anyone know how the whole tax thing works when ordering from GC or MF or take your pick big box online store?

 

[Eric Smith]

Hmmmm.....so does MF count as GC?

 

[cookieman15061]

Hmmmm.....so does MF count as GC?

No

 

[cookieman15061]

I've bought Fenders, Gretschs, Hofners on line and always got 15% off. I've only bought Gibsons in store but always have asked and received 15% without even having a coupon. Had one sales person tell me that they weren't gonna lose a $2000.00 sale over $300.00.

I've even had some stores let me use the 15% coupon on used gear. This is not always the case but I got it off a used Ric 330 and american strat. Must've been a slow week.