roaddog359 Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 I ordered a slash epiphone online through guitar center. The first question i asked was is this guitar brand new in the box? I was told yes. So I decided to order it for my son for Christmas. The guitar arrives at my door in a big brown box. I am thinking the guitar is in an epiphone box inside of the plain box. I open the box to be very disappointed. The guitar was placed into a garbage bag with some bubble wrap. And it came with none of the accessories. No certificate of authenticity with slashes picture, no trust tool, no manual, no strap locks and no original box. Well you get the picture. The guitar was all smudged up so it must have been a demo model or display. Makes me more made paying full price for what is not new and certainly does not include any accessories especially the certificate of authenticity! I tried dealing with the selling store and I am striking out. I called epiphone and told my Christmas story but I dont think it's going to go anywhere. All I am asking for is the accessories and mainly the COA. I would have like to have the original box to wrap this guitar and present it to my son on Christmas, but the way this is headed I think he is only getting a guitar in a beat up brown shipping box. I cant even get a box from my local guitar center. What a let down purchase this was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 Why would your son care what kind of box it comes in? It's a BOX!!!!!! Send it back if you are not satisfied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 15, 2018 Author Share Posted December 15, 2018 I guess you missed the main point of the post. Its being told it was brand new in box and then all the accessories and mainly the Certificate of Authenticity are missing. That may not mean anything to you but my son is a big slash fan and a COA authenticates the guitar and my son will think its cool. Whats not cool is paying more for stuff and not getting what was paid for but I guess you dont understand so why explain anymore. He will like the Guitar, I would have liked to give him the whole package. Merry Christmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 Get them to refund your money. I'd be pissed off too. If I buy a brand new guitar, I want every piece of case candy and accessories that it's supposed to come with. Especially the COA. That's a bit more important than forgetting to add the bumper sticker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 15, 2018 Author Share Posted December 15, 2018 Get them to refund your money. I'd be pissed off too. If I buy a brand new guitar, I want every piece of case candy and accessories that it's supposed to come with. Especially the COA. That's a bit more important than forgetting to add the bumper sticker. Thanks, I am glad you understand. I want the guitar for him since its too late to get anything else. They claim they have no new in box guitars and only have 21 of these guitars still for sale. I am just hoping and trying to get the accessories mainly the COA and not sure if a warranty card is important or not! I was hoping someone in here would have ideas on how or who I can get a hold of at gibson/epiphone to get the stuff, mainly the COA. Or if anyone knows Slash personally that can get a hold of him and have him authenticate and sign it for his Christmas present that would be awesome! LOL just kidding, I wish I could get that done. But I really dont understand why gibson has not been all over this problem and shipped me out some stuff and a new COA. I have only been working at this 2 weeks. Well if anyone in here knows who to contact or can forward this info to them it will really make my sons Christmas and a first guitar special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 Dude, this does suck and I do feel your frustration. However I am sure your son will ecstatic and excited to get this as a gift. Just keep this experience to yourself, do not share it with him. Although you may be disappointed, know your boy will find this as one of the more awesome gifts you ever gave him. He WILL NOT be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 Guitar Center? Or any reputable online dealer should be falling over themselves to make this right. I’d have them send you what you ordered in pristine condition and have them send a carrier to pick up the “garbage bag” model. They can overnight you the new one for you inconvenience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 15, 2018 Author Share Posted December 15, 2018 Guitar Center? Or any reputable online dealer should be falling over themselves to make this right. I’d have them send you what you ordered in pristine condition and have them send a carrier to pick up the “garbage bag” model. They can overnight you the new one for you inconvenience. Thanks, I tried that with the local guitar center and they said that all the ones left (21) are all display models and none are new in the box. And none of the dealers kept the boxes or accessories. Not to mention the serial numbered COA. The dealer that this was shipped from claims to have made several calls to Gibson and they have gotten nowhere so far. Maybe they can pull a rabbit out of a hat but its not looking to good so far. I even called Gibson yesterday and after my conversation with the customer service I did not feel very confident anything will be done, but we will see. They did not even want my email address to keep in contact with me. So I guess I just have to sit and wait if and when they decide to do anything. This just did not make a first guitar buying experience very good. I know my son will still love the guitar, and I wont share these issues with him but he has seen the web ad with the COA and picture of Slash so I am sure he will be looking for that since he is a big fan and we have taken him to a couple GnR concerts. Keeping my fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Get them to refund your money. I'd be pissed off too. If I buy a brand new guitar, I want every piece of case candy and accessories that it's supposed to come with. Especially the COA. That's a bit more important than forgetting to add the bumper sticker. I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 18, 2018 Author Share Posted December 18, 2018 I spoke directly to Gibson customer service and all they said they would do is forward it over to epiphone. I am not very optimistic, and my son really wanted this guitar or I would have sent it back. However they did not have any new in box according to Guitar Center. So he would have been without his main present. He has been eyeing a new Gibson, maybe for his second guitar. If he really keeps up with it I would have not problem buying him one, but after this incident I am a bit hesitant. Heck, I may even have him teach me since I would love to learn to play. Anyway, I am still holding out hope Epiphone comes through before Christmas. Will keep you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorgle Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 I spoke directly to Gibson customer service and all they said they would do is forward it over to epiphone. I am not very optimistic, and my son really wanted this guitar or I would have sent it back. However they did not have any new in box according to Guitar Center. So he would have been without his main present. He has been eyeing a new Gibson, maybe for his second guitar. If he really keeps up with it I would have not problem buying him one, but after this incident I am a bit hesitant. Heck, I may even have him teach me since I would love to learn to play. Anyway, I am still holding out hope Epiphone comes through before Christmas. Will keep you posted. I find it hard to believe that GC would not have any "new in the box" or couldn't get their hands on some. Makes you wonder if they're not passing off fakes as authentic Slash models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 Really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 I find it hard to believe that GC would not have any "new in the box" or couldn't get their hands on some. Makes you wonder if they're not passing off fakes as authentic Slash models. I dont think it would be a fake I gave the serial number to gibson. I too was shocked to learn that GC did not have any box that they could give me. I even went into a store and they said they dont keep boxes as they dont have the room and boxes go to the compactor. But if I buy a new gibson at the store do they all come off the shelf opened? I am confused, I would not buy a new gibson that way and I would make them order me a new one that came in the box. Makes me not want to buy a new gibson, or where or how do you buy one where you get everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 Does this model at least come with a case? Gig bag? If so all the case candy should have been put in it. Shitty business model. The box isn’t as big of a deal to me, unless I wanted to make a fort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 This is a good example why a lot of folks avoid Guitar Center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorgle Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 I just checked GC's website (https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone/Limited-Edition-Slash-Les-Paul-Standard-Plustop-PRO-Electric-Guitar.gc#productDetail) and they do advertise this model as including the COA, etc. Keep hounding them to either deliver what they advertise or a partial refund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 That really sucks and so does the Guitar Center (kinda). I bought a 1/2 stack from them, in the store, and I had to fight for a speaker cable and foot switch. Both were supposed to be included. Jerks. Anyway, I agree with everyone saying return it. The box thing does sound like bullshit too. They want you to believe they have 21 display models, all out of the box? Like they have 21 of the same model guitar hanging on the wall. As if. I had planned to give you suggestions of alternate site to purchase from, Sweetwater being my current favorite, but I hadn't found one on their site or musicians friend so maybe returning it isn't really an option. Is the GC far from you? I'd be tempted to march in there guitar in hand and demand they make it right. Other than the wonky packaging does it look brand new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 Does this model at least come with a case? Gig bag? If so all the case candy should have been put in it. Shitty business model. The box isn’t as big of a deal to me, unless I wanted to make a fort. No case or gig bag, but it did come in a garbage bag with some bubble wrap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 No case or gig bag, but it did come in a garbage bag with some bubble wrap! I think in the end all your kid will see is a new guitar.... Extra dad points Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FemmeParallell Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 This really sucks, a couple of months ago i was drooling over this guitar and a few times i was a few inches away of buying it, but there is a review in the GC page about this issue you are encoutering, the person that bought it also got the guitar in the same condition as you, and he mentions GC told him that all the guitars are demo guitars and that they threw out ALL the paperwork and box , i mean how silly is that? i mean its a Slash guitar that you expect to have the COA, but well that really just stopped me from buying it. i would get the refund ASAP will i still can, and go over to reverb and look for one that comes with the cert im gonna copy the review im talking about (its from 2 months ago): "This guitar is great however much of the appeal is the limited status of this item. The guitar came with nothing in the box...no certificate, slash photo, straplocks, warranty card manuals...nothing. After many calls to guitar center I have been told that all locations have placed this item on display and trashed the box and its contents. So this means it does not come complete and that I paid for a NEW item and all available are open box display items. Seems like this is against trade laws to knowingly do this but my big complaint is that I still do not have resolve to this issue and it has been over a month. Happy with the guitar but missing all the candy and getting a display for the cost of a NEW guitar is just wrong" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 21, 2018 Author Share Posted December 21, 2018 Well I got an update! I called my local guitar center store and spoke to the store manager my concerns and that I was upset that it was delivered to me (not from her store) in that condition and had no COA with it and was missing all the other stuff. She immediately looked my order up and even commented that I spent a lot of money. She knew I was PISSED! I told her I was not mad at her but frustrated over the whole online guitar center purchase, especially since I asked the guy if this was new and in box and comes with the COA, and was told YES! She of course said I can return it but she knew I wanted it for my son for Christmas. She went to work for me and discounted my order, called every store that had them and none where new in box and every store trashed the box and COA, which would not matter since they are serial numbered. She called Gibson and told me a replacement COA was coming and that she would find the other items and get them for me also. But she even went further and called me to say since my son is a Slash fan she ordered him 2 Slash t-shirts and a Slash poster (now that is how to treat a customer) and I did not even buy it through her store. The COA came to her store and I picked it up brought the guitar in and she cleaned up all the prints and tuned it up. I got some new Ernie Ball paradigm strings on it and she charged me about half price for them. I exchanged the amp I got online and upgraded to a larger Marshall amp and I got a nice discount on that too. I cant say enough good things about this store manager, she when way out of her way to help make things right and then some. And it was not even her store problem. Now at least my son with have the COA and case candy. Maybe some of you more experienced guitar guys can tell me if the COA helps the guitar hold value or or help in resale value or is a COA mean little? I think this store manager took a very bad situation and did everything possible she could to make it right or better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Thats fantastic! Alls well that ends well eh? You son is going to be so geeked. Which model Marshall amp did you get? In my opinion COA's are worth bupkis except for very high end guitars but as case candy for a youngster it's got a lot of the cool factor. The store manager deserves many kudos for making things right. I saw your comment on having the guitar tuned, which will last about a second with new strings, so if he doesn't already have one and there isn't one built into the amp you should consider getting him a guitar tuner. The clip on type are great and fairly inexpensive. Please post a pic of with him and the guitar so we can see the look on his face after he opens it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 That is an awesome store manager! Restoring faith in humanity... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roaddog359 Posted December 21, 2018 Author Share Posted December 21, 2018 Thanks everyone, that manager ROCKS! I figured after the new strings and tuning it would be out of tune anyway by christmas. So I got him a super snark tuner. A hard case, GnR guitar strap, plain black web strap, guitar stand, picks, aux cord, Slash Music book, . I changed the strings to ernie ball paradigm 10-46 gauge (hope that was a good string choice upgrade). And for amp he was wanting a Marshall code 25. When the amp was shipped to me it just seemed to tiny, so I upgraded it to the Marshall code 50. I am learning as I go, it seems tube amps are preferred but he was wanting a modeling amp. So I got that, and I hope its good enough till its time for an upgrade Gibson guitar and better amp. I am hoping what I bought was all decent stuff. I hate to waste money on junk. I hope I did not make too many mistakes along the way but I am sure I will learn more as we go. If you guys got any tips or comments or upgrades let me hear it. Thats the only way we will learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Thanks everyone, that manager ROCKS! I figured after the new strings and tuning it would be out of tune anyway by christmas. So I got him a super snark tuner. A hard case, GnR guitar strap, plain black web strap, guitar stand, picks, aux cord, Slash Music book, . I changed the strings to ernie ball paradigm 10-46 gauge (hope that was a good string choice upgrade). And for amp he was wanting a Marshall code 25. When the amp was shipped to me it just seemed to tiny, so I upgraded it to the Marshall code 50. I am learning as I go, it seems tube amps are preferred but he was wanting a modeling amp. So I got that, and I hope its good enough till its time for an upgrade Gibson guitar and better amp. I am hoping what I bought was all decent stuff. I hate to waste money on junk. I hope I did not make too many mistakes along the way but I am sure I will learn more as we go. If you guys got any tips or comments or upgrades let me hear it. Thats the only way we will learn. Strings and picks are wear items and need to be changed often, let him explore the different types.. The guitar and amp are good enough for a very long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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