GC's fabulous Coupon offers

[bilbarstow]

North Houston Store?

Nope - Sugarland, but they are all the same. Sugarland is just 15 miles closer to me than the next closest.

 

[Thunder Dump]

Just call in or do it in store. Has worked every time for me.

I've never had a problem either, but it's the point of the whole thing. Regular GC shoppers know, but I still think it's shady business practices. I think I would have less of a problem if they just changed the wording to read: "15% off SELECT items" (as opposed to ANY)"

 

[bilbarstow]

When I was checking acoustics out a few years back, I found a Taylor at GC that spoke to me. I checked my coupons and had a 15% off one item of $399 or more (or something along those lines) but noticed that Taylor was listed in the exlusions/manufacturers not participating list. I printed and brought in the coupon anyways and just never asked any questions...and neither did they. They took off the 15% and I left with my new guitar.

Well ... their computer systems have gotten better. When they ring up the item, and try to apply the coupon, the register WILL NOT ALLOW the transaction to occur (if it is an excluded item). Same with the fact that the Cables were "On Sale" - nevermind that it was their regular / catalog price for the items.

I'm sure that a Manager could probably override it, if they wanted to. I was dealing with the Guitar Section AM - and even though I bitched about it - a LOT - she either couldn't or wouldn't do anything about it. She paged a Floor Manager, but when no one replied or came, just shrugged it off like "oh well ... too bad".

I'm not spending huge bucks - it's not like I'm buying a Historic or something. But when I am, I probably WON'T be doing it at GC.

 

[Sinster]

You get the wrong person. I got my GC Jr for 495... When they were on sale for 599.99 last year. The dude at GC gave me the coupon.. had his manager override no good coupon.

 

[Joeydego]

Joeydego,

I wish I could say this was true, but I really did need the Pedal Power. I did leave the other "upsell" items, so they lost THAT additional income.

Next time - I just call Sweetwater. The shipping wait can't be that bad.

fed ex ground, for free. 2 days to NYC, probably the same to you. You'll save the tax.

 

[Joeydego]

Well ... their computer systems have gotten better. When they ring up the item, and try to apply the coupon, the register WILL NOT ALLOW the transaction to occur (if it is an excluded item). Same with the fact that the Cables were "On Sale" - nevermind that it was their regular / catalog price for the items.

I'm sure that a Manager could probably override it, if they wanted to. I was dealing with the Guitar Section AM - and even though I bitched about it - a LOT - she either couldn't or wouldn't do anything about it. She paged a Floor Manager, but when no one replied or came, just shrugged it off like "oh well ... too bad".

I'm not spending huge bucks - it's not like I'm buying a Historic or something. But when I am, I probably WON'T be doing it at GC.

And this is how they lose sales on big ticket items. They told me to "come back in a few days" on a used cabinet they'd give me for 500 marked at 600. They said the items too new to the store and they cant change the price, they're locked out, but in 2 or 3 days they'll hook me up. I'm not a kid. I'm here now, cash in hand. The money will only depreciate over 3 days anyway. I don't like being jerked around. They should be happy to get string sales from me, and even THAT is only in a pinch.

 

[bilbarstow]

And a story about what I witnessed while trying to make the above transaction work out :

Phone rings and other Sales Clerk answers, she then says to the Guitar Section AM : "This guy is calling, wants to know if we have an Epiphone Goldtop in stock ? "

AM : "tell him we have a Gibson Junior that kind of looks gold "

(It was a nice Junior, but was the "Faded yellow" - described that way ON THE TAG - I know because I had looked at it ! )'

Memo to self: never call in and expect to get ANY information of value.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

You get the wrong person. I got my GC Jr for 495... When they were on sale for 599.99 last year. The dude at GC gave me the coupon.. had his manager override no good coupon.

This. I got my wall-display Faded SG with a small ding on the neck and on a sale. CSR wouldn't drop anything: "We don't have display discounts." "Get your manager."

15 minutes and $450+tax later I had a guitar -- 25% less than street.

 

[Archtop 13]

Kindly say "No Thanks", put the stuff back & go buy elsewhere. Results talk & so do people.

 

[Sinster]

Kindly say "No Thanks", put the stuff back & go buy elsewhere. Results talk & so do people.

What you mean put it back. Leave it at the counter and make them put it back

 

[Archtop 13]

I'm a firm believer in "being rude makes you look like the A-hole"

 

[mgenet]

This has been said on a few threads...

Screw the coupon. On large ticket items offer them at least 20% off
and settle for no less than 15%. If they don't take it there are lots of other
dealers out there that will.

We are in a horrible economy and they will shave their margin
AND like it...

 

[tonyled]

I've never had a problem either, but it's the point of the whole thing. Regular GC shoppers know, but I still think it's shady business practices. I think I would have less of a problem if they just changed the wording to read: "15% off SELECT items" (as opposed to ANY)"

i believe its the companies on that list that are forcing their hands with price controls not gc themselves.