|
Post by jonnymosco on Jul 16, 2013 15:26:17 GMT
I tried to buy a guitar at Guitar Center Manhattan, a classical Lucero, $129, not bad for the price. I asked the assistant about their 30 day refund policy. She went to get the manager. He asked why I asked and I told him my predicament (need a guitar to practice on for the summer whilst we're here). He said it's not a rental service and if I bought the guitar he would write on the receipt that it was not possible to return it. He said I could rent it for $50 a day and if I did buy it they would only give me $50 back!
When I said that he must at least appreciate my honesty in asking about their returns policy, other customers would lie about a return, he asked me to shop elsewhere. He was quite rude and aggressive.
Nice customer service.
Edit: Forgot to mention that I was advised to ask about the returns terms by a friend here in New York, in retrospect, advice I shouldn't have followed.
So, now I still need to find a guitar. I can borrow a friend's Gibson Country Western dread, at least I can learn all the RGT Acoustic pieces, but that's not much help for the classical pieces.
I now understand why they are viewed as the MacDonald's of the guitar world.
Jonny
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 34,091
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Jul 16, 2013 16:07:12 GMT
.................... I now understand why they are viewed as the MacDonald's of the guitar world. Jonny What appalling treatment Jonny. Hope you told them to burger off! Keith
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Jul 16, 2013 16:09:57 GMT
Hi Keith - I posted it on the AGF, looked like they're quite passionate about potential fraudulent returns. Anyway, I posted this to explain further, as I think it was a red rag to a bull!
Well, I wouldn't lie and would expect my situation to be up for discussion - some sort of professional camaraderie, to come to some sort of compromise. I wouldn't expect it for nothing. I would like to have sold it back to them, but not for $50.
He was a bit heavy handed with the situation I thought. Perhaps he misunderstood the situation - I am English after all. Not the customer care I've heard of, felt like I'd raised a taboo subject - it was like he was personally offended. He made it clear he didn't want to help.
Jonny
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 34,091
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Jul 16, 2013 16:30:31 GMT
We should never have sent the Pilgrim Fathers...
Keith
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2013 16:39:53 GMT
I must admit Jonny, you had more cheek than I would ever dare to express I admire your absolute honesty, and agree that maybe the manager should have laughed it off as just that- you being cheekily honest. Robbie p.s wow, Jonny, just read through the posts on the AGF. You certainly stirred up a hornets nest there !!!
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Jul 16, 2013 17:26:06 GMT
Exactly Robbie - I am pretty cheeky when it comes to buying and selling, nothing ventured. But then like you, I expected him to laugh and say we'll see what else we can do.
I think I'll order something online, much less stressful.
I can't believe how agressive they are over on the AGF and so serious about it all - no need for the personal abuse.
Jonny
|
|
|
Post by earwighoney on Jul 16, 2013 21:11:06 GMT
I can't believe how agressive they are over on the AGF and so serious about it all - no need for the personal abuse. There are some things stated on the AGF which to say I find testing is a understatement... Good luck finding a guitar in NY Jonny.
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Jul 16, 2013 22:29:00 GMT
I must be too much of a cheeky bugga for them!! Should correct the title as the AGF folks are the rudest people on earth.
Friend's brother come up with a classical guitar thankfully.
Jonny
|
|
|
Post by ararat66 on Jul 17, 2013 8:10:17 GMT
Had a peek on AGF - talk about a storm - it's clearly a cultural thingy because no one would bat an eyelid if you bought the guitar for 129 and sold it on for 500 ... that's business - but taking advantage of the offer is freeloading. I reckon all you have done is wander into a cultural minefield ... best thing is to back off and next time don't give the game away to anyone :-)
I feel your pain - I had a similar cultural experience buying my first oud when the luthier went completely bananas about me insulting his integrity (and almost everything else) when I asked if I could pay by a means that would give me some financial protection (there had been scams around at the time). Luckily having experience of Armenian family as a child, I realised that an 'hotly worded' apology (whatever that is)and conversation about family and lutherie sorted it out and we were practically blood brothers by the end of it.
I maybe wouldn't try this approach in the States perhaps - I'm not an expert but our oud forum has a lot of American members and it took me a while to gauge the humour and 'etiquette' required to get a point across without causing threadstorms.
Enjoy your stay outside of the AGF ... pop in here for solace and irony :-)
Cheers
Leon
|
|
|
Post by rodders on Jul 17, 2013 9:46:22 GMT
Ooh! Where abouts on the AFG is your thread?? I wouldn't worry to much about the folk over there. There are some very decent and knowleagable people on that forum, but they count for less than 1% of members.
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Jul 17, 2013 9:59:21 GMT
Ooh! Where abouts on the AFG is your thread?? I can't find it either. I do like a good punch up! Actually, I don't, which is why I'd rather spend time on here than having to cope with the unpleasantness you describe. Mind you, on the predecessor forum, we had the odd spat or two! Glad it's quieter here under the calm, cool gaze of the most unobtrusive moderators on the internet! Glad you eventually got a guitar to practice on, Jonny.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Jul 17, 2013 10:11:06 GMT
To paraphrase 'Blackadder Goes Forth', "I've got to admire your balls, Jonny!" If I had been that store manager, I think I would have refused as well, although granted I would probably have found the request more amusing than annoying. Interesting to hear this has incurred the wrath of some AGF'ers, although I wouldn't take anything said there particularly seriously Glad you got sorted with a guitar though
|
|
|
Post by scripsit on Jul 17, 2013 10:14:20 GMT
I spent some time looking for the thread without any result, too. Must have been removed because it is too unkind to the retail fanatics.
Like others I've found some very helpful and knowedgeable people on that forum: Doug Young and Fran Guidry are particularly generous with time and good advice about recording in particular.
However, a huge percentage of the denizens are obsessed with warranties and return policies and whether or not some thing they've only just noticed is an imperfection in their instrument. It's like a supermarket/Walmart frame of mind is permanently in place for those folk: they are constantly looking for absolute dirt-cheap bargains, but are outraged and feel dudded if someone points out that they got stuff that's actually worth about what they paid for it. It's bizarre, especially because for them the price of manufactured goods, including factory guitars, is about a third of what people in (ahem) more civilised places pay. And they hate anyone who successfully games the system.
So, I feel mean, in a bolshie socialist sort of way, but I would have enjoyed reading the outrage in that thread.
Kym
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 34,091
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Jul 17, 2013 10:20:30 GMT
The thread has indeed disappeared.
Even some of the AGFers were beginning to realise and express in their posts just how rude some of their other members had been.
Many of the responses didn't seem to bother reading Jonny's original post and subsequent expansions on it, but accepted without question, and responded in support of the "interpretations" of those others who had misunderstood and gone off on one.
Very unfortunate little incident caused by a few irresponsible posters whilst the sane majority left well alone.
Glad you're fixed for a guitar now Jonny!
Keith
|
|
|
Post by grayn on Jul 17, 2013 12:20:52 GMT
I they'll be re-instating the Reds under the beds trials next. Especially with your name, Johnny.
|
|