Guitar Center — Local services in Lake Forest

So done with guitar center. Purchased a thousand dollar Gibson acoustic about 6months ago, and then about a month ago the neck warped so bad literally over night it was unplayable, not a single fret didn't buzz. Took it in and guy basically said come back tomorrow when our tech is in, ok fine. Drive back following day doesn't say a word looks at it cranks down on the truss rod said its weather and you're good to go. I've kept it in a temp consistent environment since the day I bought it and even if that was the case Ive owned dozens of guitars and never had one that did this over night.

Didn't want to argue with him so i took it home thinking I'm good to go and take out of the case and sure it doesn't buzz anymore but the action is so high it's again unplayable. They basically tell me to kick rocks so I take it a real guitar shop spend $300.00 to make a 1000.00 dollar guitar playable. And it sounds fabulous now.

Ok fast forwarded to Christmas Eve make a purchase of another guitar off the website in Lake Forest, hour drive from my place but it's in stock so ok no problem. Day after Christmas make the drive excited to get it pick it up guys just kinda shoved it at me said here ya go. Walk out to the car and inspect a little closer and a big crack right down the body. Ughhh immediately take it back in and show the same guy he says oh man sorry. I'll process your return but first I need to get through this line of customers. Ok first I waited my turn in line patiently and when I get to my turn you tell me to go wait while you deal with everyone else. Still that's ok doesn't bother me yet....

10 mins go by

20mins go by

30 mins go by I'm becoming more and more impatient watching the line grow and not being helped walks over and says oh I have you're info you're good to go I'll process the return and order a new one?

What? You made me wait a half hour for no reason didn't ask if I wanted a return or a new one ordered... Just assumed everything didn't give a single care I drove an hour there an hour back wasted gas, time time from work, and time standing there watching everyone get helped. I was so pissed I couldn't see straight. Had to leave and when I got home and processed it I don't want the guitar I want a damn refund and I'll now take my...

Standing at the checkout line with cash visibly in my hand ready to pay and I was offered “free” cables if I signed up for pro coverage. I agreed, then was guided to synchrony to open a card… Thinking this was part of the deal ( signing up ) I proceeded to open the card. I was then given a receipt folded with the total concealed.

I asked why the total was exactly the same cost as what the cables were and he explained to me that the coverage was the extra $50 cost, and the cables were thrown in.

Ok fine, no big deal… I’m not saving any money, or getting “free cables“ but I’m getting cables for buying the coverage which is fine just worded a bit weird…

But wait… if I could have payed cash why was I guided to synchrony to open a line of credit I did not ask for.

“well it makes no difference to us if you pay cash or card “ is what I was told after I questioned what had just happened.

Here’s the deal:

The sales staff and likely the store itself get an additional commission from customers taking out lines of credit, which in itself I have no issue with whatsoever. What I do have an issue with, is a business that ruses its customers into taking out lines of credit to make a few extra bucks. Had the sales associate just told me it helps him out I would have been fine with it, instead he tried to trick me by tying it into his sale.

I should mention that as soon as I began to question the transaction, the manager observing what was happening sauntered back into his office. Best case scenario; he was embarrassed about his sales forces ethics. Worst case scenario; he trained them this way, and would rather not deal with being called out.

This will have been my last visit to any...

This location has always been unprofessional about trade-ins for unknown reasons. I have taken items in for a trade in, and was told to wait until a specialist came in while the employees tried to talk me out of selling the items at the location and to sell the items myself online for more. Obviously, I'm aware I can sell the items on my own for more, but generally I have gotten okay deals for trade-ins on store credit and prefer the convenience. Essentially I waited around for about 20min and just gave up. I have sold many items at different guitar centers and have had no issues except at this location. If they just didn't want my particular items, I would have been fine with that and just left. I have brought in multiple items to different locations before and they didn't necessarily buy everything. I have called this location recently (Lake Forest) separately to inquire about selling items to see if anything has changed, and they basically just told me to just go to a different location, which is unfortunate as this is the location closest to my house. Its unclear why this is such a difficulty for this location. Perhaps they are understaffed, but the employees seemed indifferent as well. Avoid this location for trading items in. I have sold items at the Fountain Valley and Orange location...