Buying used from guitar center

[Markus1]

I hope I'm not getting annoying here... but buying a good SG isn't as straight forward as I initially thought it would be. As many different variations they put out, changing things from year to year combined with sellers that just don't know the difference, or people taking advantage of buyers (like myself) that don't necessarily know the difference... it's kinda hard to know what you're buying.

 

For example, there is a listing on ebay that "seems" to match the description of an SG, it supposedly has the nitro finish, it has the neck binding, it has the trapezoid inlays, and the guy says it's a mid 90s model. (I am waiting back to get serial number for guitar to verify). BUT... from the pictures it looks like the gibson logo and crown on the headstock are silk screened rather than inlayed. This is where gibson's way of offering a special, classic, reissue, tribute, or whatever get's confusing.

 

I don't really care all that much about how the headstock design is done... but for me it raises the question as to whether the guitar is really a standard, or just another budget model that happened to have the trapezoid inlays and binding, but might not be the right finish, and maybe has lower end pickups etc...

 

So now... to my topic. Guitar center's listings leave something to be desired when it comes to used gear. There is usually very little information about the item listed. Sometimes they list the year, sometimes they don't. I think I might have even seen a guitar listed as standard that had the dot inlays. So, I'm kind of wondering, should I even trust their descriptions? Or am I just as likely to get a lower end model listed as a standard as I am dealing with an individual?

[moparguy]

I hope I'm not getting annoying here... but buying a good SG isn't as straight forward as I initially thought it would be. As many different variations they put out, changing things from year to year combined with sellers that just don't know the difference, or people taking advantage of buyers (like myself) that don't necessarily know the difference... it's kinda hard to know what you're buying.

 

For example, there is a listing on ebay that "seems" to match the description of an SG, it supposedly has the nitro finish, it has the neck binding, it has the trapezoid inlays, and the guy says it's a mid 90s model. (I am waiting back to get serial number for guitar to verify). BUT... from the pictures it looks like the gibson logo and crown on the headstock are silk screened rather than inlayed. This is where gibson's way of offering a special, classic, reissue, tribute, or whatever get's confusing.

 

I don't really care all that much about how the headstock design is done... but for me it raises the question as to whether the guitar is really a standard, or just another budget model that happened to have the trapezoid inlays and binding, but might not be the right finish, and maybe has lower end pickups etc...

 

So now... to my topic. Guitar center's listings leave something to be desired when it comes to used gear. There is usually very little information about the item listed. Sometimes they list the year, sometimes they don't. I think I might have even seen a guitar listed as standard that had the dot inlays. So, I'm kind of wondering, should I even trust their descriptions? Or am I just as likely to get a lower end model listed as a standard as I am dealing with an individual?

At least if you buy from Guitar Center, you can return it if your not happy with it. They may not be perfect but from my experience with the G.C. here their customer service is pretty good, then again they know me by name. Ive bought about 4 grand with them since last november

[Markus1]

At least if you buy from Guitar Center, you can return it if your not happy with it. They may not be perfect but from my experience with the G.C. here their customer service is pretty good, then again they know me by name. Ive bought about 4 grand with them since last november

 

That's true. Now that you mention it, I bought a crate amp from them awhile back and didn't realize for a few days there was a problem with it. The 1st few days I'd only been able to play it later in the evening, when I had to keep the volume pretty low. The 1st day I was able to "crank it up" (less than half full volume) the sound would crackle and die after about 5 minutes or less. I was able to take it back in to my local guitar center, and ended up just buying a new mustang amp, since it has a lot of built in effects. (though now I do wish I'd gotten a tube amp and just aquired effects over time).

 

Anyway, I remembered being a little shocked, and disappointed that a store like guitar center wouldn't fully test gear before at least buying it, but definitely before reselling it. I guess that's kind of stuck with me, and seeing the vague descriptions made me kind of wonder how accurate the listings are on the site. But, like you said, I have 30 days to return it if it's either misrepresented or has unacceptable damage.

[disaster]

Are you considering buying a used guitar from GC without playing it first? Like buying from their used inventory in another part of the country & having it shipped? If so this could be risky. You should check the terms & conditions of used guitars - I don't think the GC buyer protection terms apply - but I may be wrong.

 

If you are going to play it before buying @ GC there should be no issues. That's the only way I'd buy a used guitar of any kind from anyone.

 

Check your local Craig's List. I've been shopping mine for the last few months & have seen more than a few SGs. All kinds. Since these are for sale locally it's easy to try before you buy.

 

Happy shopping.

[GibSinCity]

Buying a guitar from GC, or any chain retailer that isn't local without playing it first isn't ideal, but at least you can return it to a brick & mortar store as close as possible if you don't like it.

Hopefully

It takes up time, but it's less of a pain than trying to return the instrument to an address of someone you don't know, or to an online-only retailer.

I have four guitars that were bought from a local GC.

[adam411booking]

Like other posters have stated, GC has pretty good customer service and will usually be willing to work with you if you wish to return the guitar...But with that being said, you still need to play it first. GC may have a different policy in regards to returns depending on used guitars.

 

You definitely don't want to get ripped off. If the guitar is in bad shape, GC may not accept the return since you didn't buy it from one of their stores.

 

I'd make sure to read the fine print on their return policy before buying anything.

[Markus1]

Are you considering buying a used guitar from GC without playing it first? Like buying from their used inventory in another part of the country & having it shipped? If so this could be risky. You should check the terms & conditions of used guitars - I don't think the GC buyer protection terms apply - but I may be wrong.

 

If you are going to play it before buying @ GC there should be no issues. That's the only way I'd buy a used guitar of any kind from anyone.

 

Check your local Craig's List. I've been shopping mine for the last few months & have seen more than a few SGs. All kinds. Since these are for sale locally it's easy to try before you buy.

 

Happy shopping.

 

The only problem with buying locally on CL is that you have the "Craigslist paranoia". The guy you're buying from doesn't want you to know where he lives, or at least doesn't want to allow you into his home. ESPECIALLY if he's one of those guys that has a ton of gear. No one want's to show someone what all they have to steal. I know buying without playing is a risk, but at least with guitar center you have 30 days to return it. I have already bought an 80s model crate amp from them and had to return it to my local GC, where I ended up just buying a new amp. To be honest GC would be an ideal place to buy used, even if I cant play before hand Ive realized. They may be bad at listing things, but at least I can return it, which is not true of craigslist. My problem is my budget doesn't allow me to pay what GC wants for used gear. EBay is another option, and at least they have buyer protection if the item is not as advertised. But the guitar I wanted to buy, that was in my price range was already sold. (another annoying thing about GC... they don't keep the site properly updated.

[Markus1]

Like other posters have stated, GC has pretty good customer service and will usually be willing to work with you if you wish to return the guitar...But with that being said, you still need to play it first. GC may have a different policy in regards to returns depending on used guitars.

 

You definitely don't want to get ripped off. If the guitar is in bad shape, GC may not accept the return since you didn't buy it from one of their stores.

 

I'd make sure to read the fine print on their return policy before buying anything.

 

 

Unless their guitar policy is different from amps I don't think that would be a problem. But, since they don't list details as to the condition of the used guitars I think they would be obligated to allow a return. But as I said in my other reply, at the moment the question is now moot, as the guitar I could afford, although still listed on their site had already been sold. (Even a day after I called to question condition of the guitar, and was told it had already been sold)

[Markus1]

Unless their guitar policy is different from amps I don't think that would be a problem. But, since they don't list details as to the condition of the used guitars I think they would be obligated to allow a return. But as I said in my other reply, at the moment the question is now moot, as the guitar I could afford, although still listed on their site had already been sold. (Even a day after I called to question condition of the guitar, and was told it had already been sold)

*update* I ended up calling again to question the guitar I mentioned, after noticing it was still listed after several days, and was told it still was in stock... and bought it! win for me!

[lazarusvt84]

need to consider neck profile....50's...60's...

 

It's hard to know what you're getting on eBay or CL unless you ask and the seller knows his stuff.

[old mark]

Buying a guitar from GC, or any chain retailer that isn't local without playing it first isn't ideal, but at least you can return it to a brick & mortar store as close as possible if you don't like it.

Hopefully

It takes up time, but it's less of a pain than trying to return the instrument to an address of someone you don't know, or to an online-only retailer.

I have four guitars that were bought from a local GC.

 

 

 

I have done this many times...they DO take the dud guitars back with no problem and I have found some GEMS from GC online. It is far less risky than buying privately.

It is to your advantage to use Paypal, too...they can get a refund if there is some problem...This is what I use when I buy from eBay. I recently bought a $3000 + old Les Paul from ebay, and have NO worries about it...should be here next week.

 

 

mark