Guitar Center — Local services in New London

I never write reviews. I don't consider it worth my time. Except today.

Today I had a problem with my podcast set-up and went to this Guitar Center for troubleshooting help. I walk in and head towards the main register and wait around. I'm eventually noticed and a guy from the lessons area asks what I need. He then yells at another kid to help me out.

This kid is really nice and helps get my rig set up to figure out the issue, but then the first guy (a manager) walks up and very brusquely tells me that he can't have his guy helping me out when there are other customers around. Like I'm not a customer, right? Like I haven't spent thousands of dollars at Guitar Center in my lifetime, right? Okay, cool. Probably a stressful time, only two people running the store, I get it.

Manager guy leaves and the kid is helping me out, grabbing me microphones and stuff to try; later the kid is called away and the manager guy shows up again, asking me what the issue is.

I try to explain it to him, that my mixer has 4 XLR inputs and one split TRS input; I want to connect a dynamic microphone to the split TRS input and, having done a little research myself, came up with a solution that includes a phantom power unit and in-line booster to help reach proper levels. My problem is that the recording doesn't come in as stereo. I'm at a loss, I need help.

"Just buy a mixer with five XLR inputs," he tells me.

I don't even know what to say. I had to pause for a second because I honestly didn't know how to respond to such a insulting answer.

"Don't you think I've thought of that already," I asked him, annoyed at this point.

He picks up on my attitude and then says, "Alright boss, pack your bags," essentially kicking me out of the store.

How is this not insulting? I understand that troubleshooting isn't part of your job description, but isn't helping customers supposed to be a thing? Are you truly that empty of cares to give?

Anyway, it was always very convenient to have a Guitar Center so close to where I live; after today, I think ordering my things online might be...

While I understand selling items back you get a fraction of the original price, gc really get you being the only game in town. The customer service has been good for years but recently I went there and there was an older guy at the register who clearly doesn't own a computer or type, so he was pecking at the keyboard with one finger at a time, as if he typed more than a letter ever 10 seconds the store would explode, lol. Then, they had an item on the shelf with the wrong item, less than the item on the wall, I made a poi t to call it out and they didn't ring it up at the lower price, another employee came and saw it and just said it was wring, no apology, nothing, probably still with wring price on it. I do my shopping through american musical supply and amazon, rarely going to gc, this time I needed 1 guitar cord and didn't want to order and wait 2 weeks for it. This experience was a real why going online is better moment. This guy seemed like he was going slow in purpose, other people in line were sighing and getting impatient. If he was in some mom and pop store in the middle if nowhere it would be one thing, not gc. Then there were 2 guys in the guitar section working, just talking, one of them should of gone to an open register, nope, and one guy sitting at the music lesson section, no one around, just sitting there, lol, why wouldn't he go to a register and, um, work? Their system is messed up and they can't have people leaving there happy often and they can't be making enough big sales, they suck now, were better a...

Horrible service from all team members here on multiple occasions. The first time I went I asked for help purchasing a PA speaker. I knew a lot about what I was buying through research but was asking for more info on any other speakers that might be good. The employee pretended to know what he was selling me talking about the speaker I was interested in giving me vague and false information. It was hard to be a part of. Then I went back a second time and my friend wanted to buy a travel piano as he travels the world constantly. The travel piano needed to be charged, so I asked for a charger so he could try it because he was pretty sure about buying it but wanted to hear it first. When i asked for a charger the older larger man didn't seem interested in helping me and said they didn't have one... Which they did because all the pianos have one in the box he could have used. So I moved onto the next employee who was even more rude, saying they didn't have one and that my friend shouldn't buy it because it wasn't good for practicing...like he knew my friends exact situation.. They both were grade A jerks who didn't have an ounce of customer service in their bodies. I've never had this poor of an experience at guitar centers and I've been to them from Cali to Hawaii to Missouri and now here. Will NEVER be going back here or giving any guitar centers any business anymore. On to mom and pop stores and online when needed. Peace out aweful people at Waterford Guitar Center. I hope whatever is making you sad and angry...