Guitar Center — Attraction in Town of Colonie

It honestly pains me to think that this was once one of the better guitar stores in the area. The disheveled staff shuffle about the equally disheveled show room, weaving in and out of stacks of tattered amplifiers. Some stand behind a desk with Allen Wrench in hand, as if they’re going to perform life saving surgery on the poor Telecaster that lay before them. The dozens if not hundreds of bowed, twisted necks of the instruments that grace the walls prove that these tactics are simply part of a smoke and mirrors show. I’m honestly convinced that THIS location hires staff much in the manner of a Halloween haunted house…..if you look the part we’ll hire you and provide the costume and props. Trying to have an intelligent conversation about guitars here is much akin to chatting with a toddler about astrophysics so don’t even bother. I stopped in on one occasion to look at a bass I was interested in. I arrived only to find the neck was so badly back-bowed it was virtually unplayable….brand new too! When I asked the clerk to add relief so I could properly test the instrument as I was seriously considering purchasing it, I was given a huff, puff and eye roll. I suppose the reason was I had interrupted his conversation with another associate, the topic of that conversation was “who would win a bass battle, Geddy Lee or Thundercat?”. I did not buy the bass out of principal, and bought the same instrument the following day from Parkway Music. On another occasion, a rude young woman told me they would not consider taking my preamp pedal on trade as it did not come with a power supply (most guitar pedals do not). I found this especially irritating given the fact I’ve purchased many pedals from GC sans power supply, even more irritating that I’ve seen them take in $89 Harmony guitars covered in scratches missing strings! Anyways, I posted the pedal on reverb that day, sold within a few hours. GC’s loss, my gain. This store is an absolute joke these days and a far cry from what it was in 2003/2004 when it was comparable to the Manhattan location. I’ve heard through the grapevine for a few years now that corporate was considering closing this store down. To be quite honest I don’t know what they’re waiting for. I usually keep my mouth shut and refrain from reviews but I’ve honestly had enough of this place. Sick of the lowballing, sick of walking into a dirty show room full of broken gear and unplayable instruments, sick of the inexperienced snotty staff. Support locally owned, quality stores like Parkway Music who actually take pride in...

Bad experience with store to store purchase. Just the last in a series of let downs I've had with Guitar Center. I located a used item online from a store in PA. They were very helpful - said they could ship the($700) item to Albany store for me to test out before purchasing - but the Albany store would need to initiate that. They gave the item number and their store number to pass along to Albany store. Albany said they no longer do store to store transfers ( they call the S.I.T.s) because of covid and low inventory -- which made no sense .. if you have inventory issues wouldn't you like getting inventory from another store? Anyway-- they said I could buy it - have it shipped there - unbox and try at store before I took home incase there was something wrong with it right away. So I said sure I would do that. The item arrived Albany store. I went to test it out and hopefully take it home.. Wow - it was like I was a bother to them. Took a bit but they brought out. I said I would like to check it out make sure it was as advertised nothing major wrong with it. Store guy - "where do you want to test it?" -- in my head - Dude it's your store you tell me where to test it. Exasperated he takes it out to the box.. doesn't power it up -- walks away. I'm seeing that I won't get any help here - so I look it over twist the knobs - then flag him down and say I will power it up and test it out at home tonight - If there are any issues I'll bring it back - basically ignores me - I said I won't need the box but they may want to hang onto it -- in case. "We don't have room to keep the box" "we'll either break it down or ship something out with it" Now I can't relay the tone this kid had but - not good. I get it- you're a musician. This is just your day job - but right now you are a sales person representing GC and I am a customer paying good hard earned money for this item. I could go on ... but end of story. Luckily the equipment was fine and I did not have to deal with Albany on a return. I can't see myself dealing with them again actually. They rarely have what I need in the store.. "we can order that for you" - ok I know how to use the internet... but again I could on... Thanks for listening.. beware of store to store.. not...

GC pays 60% of what they’re going to sell used items for? Not Guitar Center on wolf rd. in Albany New York!!! I just brought in a Mackie Profx12v3 mix board to sell them because I bought a new board. The sales guy offered me $90 for mine!!! Then he said Guitar Centers system said $80. I said what? They’re selling used online and out of this Guitar Center (Wolf Rd. Albany New York) for like $300. He then said they’re selling used for around $140-$180. Then he offered me $100 and I accepted it, knowing I got taken. This location (Albany New York) is selling the same board, 3 of them for $275 used. So I was given maybe half of what Guitar says they’ll pay for used items. Also, I brought this board in with the box the board came in which was in great condition, and the power cord and usb and the user manual, basically looked brand new in its packaging. I am done at Guitar Center, especially the one on ((Wolf rd. in Albany New York)). I purchase most of my things from Sweet Water anyway. Their customer service can’t be competed with, especially from guitar center and they stand by their word. I never purchase things from Guitar Center anyways, just sell to them and they will always lowball you. I recently bought another guitar, an LTD Black Metal for like $1000.00, yeah bought it from Sweet Water because I trust them. If Guitar Center cared about their customers and stood by the things they say maybe I would’ve spent that $1000.00 with them. Next time I have something I want to sell quickly I’m going to “Parkway Music” in Clifton Park New York. I’ve sold things their in the past and they are better than Guitar Center, especially the GC on (Wolf rd....