Guitar Center — Local services in North Myrtle Beach

(PART 1) Writing this after my recent visit to the Guitar Center in Myrtle Beach, SC on March 2nd. I am not local to that area, I'm station in Camp Lejeune and live in Jacksonville, NC, but the store had a used Charvel I was interested in. The guitar had sat on their listing for quite some time and the price continued to go down to the point where I could not pass it up. I called to verify it was there a week prior and they confirmed that it was there and in pristine condition but warned me to come soon because an employee is thinking about buying it.

When I arrived at the store, it was nowhere to be found. I searched every location with guitars and even the bass instruments too just to be certain. Before asking any employees, I began to walk around and found it in the corner of the DJ equipment area behind a desk and boxes, practically hidden out of sight. When I got to it, an employee immediately walked up asking if I needed help. (Later finding out, this is the employee that wants to buy it)

I told him I came to check out this guitar and asked if there was a reason it was all the way over here. His response, "It's currently in repairs with a work order." So, I replied that it was strange because a week ago I called and they told me it was available and working perfectly, so what is wrong with it, and is it still purchasable because I drove 3 hours for this guitar. He replied "Let me go ask someone and see if they know anything" taking a piece of paper out of the sales tag that was covering it and walking away with it. About 5 minutes later, he returned with it and stated, "I'm going to be honest with you man, I have been saving for this guitar and want to buy it, but when you told me you drove 3 hours to see it, I could not lie to you, so it is all good, nothing is wrong with it." It took everything in me not to just leave the store right there, now irritated, I took it and tested it out.

After playing it and looking it over, I still did want it, but I also brought 2 guitars in to get appraised as potential cash towards it. The employee that hides guitars told me to bring them in when the manager arrives as he can do more with that. I asked him when that would be, and he said to come back in an hour and a half because he is on lunch.

Returning back with my two guitars I met the manager. One was a Squire Vintage Modified 70's and the other an Epiphone SG G-400. Both immaculate, cleaned thoroughly, re-strung and fully setup the night prior. Either of these in mint condition have recently sold on eBay and Reverb for 300-400. I understand that Guitar Center is a business and must make money on what they buy used, but I have always been told they offer 50 to 60% of its value. The manager stated the most they would give was 110 for each or 220 total. I was a little insulted and confused, when asking why so low he said he deemed them to be in "fair condition". I could gladly send photos of either one, they were in better shape than most the guitars in that store including the Charvel I was going to buy that they labeled as "Very good" yet there was quite a bit of aesthetic damage to the body... I tried to respectfully negotiate on the Charvel with the offer of $300 cash and the Squire Stratocaster (Re-sale value of $300) due to the damage on the Charvel that was not told to me over the phone and also the fact that this guitar has sat on their inventory for 4+ months and isn't selling. He immediately shot the offer down, informing me that the reason the Charvel has not sold is because one of his buddies that works at the store has wanted to buy it but did not have the money and has been saving up... The manager of the store said this!! Quite literally explaining that he has been allowing it to remain hidden in the store for 4+ months as the price continues to plummet on it and no customers who just walk in and don't check online would even be aware that they had that item in store! I cannot believe this is how that store conducts business, extremely...

On August 21 2023, I was charged $196.00 twice for an item purchased in your North Myrtle Beach South Carolina store. There was an issue of some sort with the point of sale system and I was told the sale would need to be run again. There was no receipt generated for the first purchase. At that point, the store manager (Leo if I recall) became involved. Both he and the salesman tried to correct the issue but ultimately, a second sale needed to be run (for which I do have a receipt). The manager and salesperson both told me if I end up getting charged twice, to contact the store and they would refund one of the sales. When I received my next bank statement, sure enough, two charges. I have contacted the store more than once and each time I have been told "I only see the charge as going through once". The last time, I spoke with whom I believe was Leo, I was told to dispute the charge with my bank and also provided the number for corporate. I did submit the dispute with my bank and was given a provisional credit for the amount of the purchase price. At that point, I considered the matter closed, However, on September 19th 2023, I was charged a debit adjustment by Guitar Center and charged again for the item. I contacted corporate who told me they could not assist as they were in UT and could only assist with web and online orders, not purchases within individual stores. I was given the means to contact a district manager via the website and per the automated response e-mail, I should expect a response within 24 hours but I could contact corporate for faster service. Sigh. That was on December 7th. Today is February 6th. between then and now, i have been in tuch with the company via Facebook Messenger who assured me that they would contact store management and the district manager to get this situation resolved. I was even told that the store has tried contacting me. However, in spite of them having both my phone number and email, I have yet to receive any communication from anyone and this matter is...

I have been in many Guitar Center locations, and have never been so disappointed. The selection was not great overall, but more importantly their guitars were in horrible condition. There were 2 guitars that I was considering purchasing, one was new and the other used. I had serious concerns of getting tetanus from these guitars! Both the new and used guitars had rusty, nasty strings. I really wanted to buy the used guitar even though it was priced a bit high imho. I simply asked that they clean up the fretboard and put a fresh set of strings on. They didn't want to be bothered and that was their absolute lowest price. They also said they wont do any set ups on used guitars???? For around $200 more I will order a new one, albeit now from Sweetwater. For the record, you lost a sale of over $800( likely closer to $1000, as I would have purchased a hard case and strap etc. since I am on vacation) over a pack of strings and 10 minutes of work and gave the competition over $1000. Guitar Center should seriously consider closing this location permanently as it is killing their reputation. This was on 8/23/2024.

Update 9/5/2024. Nobody from GC has even bothered to respond to this post or contact me. I had the pleasure of visiting Sweetwater over the weekend and it was such an amazing visit in comparison to the Guitar Center in Myrtle Beach. The guitars I wanted to compare were not on display. No problem, they pulled them from the warehouse, unboxed them, set them up, tuned them, and brought them to me to try. I walked out with a lovely Jackson Pro DK2 Green Glow and a new case. What a difference in employee attitudes and...