How to get a good used guitar deal from Guitar center?

[ZERO1]

Hey guys,
So about a two weeks ago, I bought a guitar off ebay. I got a great deal on it, but unfortunately it got damaged in transit. Must have dropped off a conveyor belt and it cause a huge chip on the body. I got refunded and all is well, well sort of. I really wanted that guitar and I was able to find a one online at guitar center in the used section. It has been there a while. What would be the best way to try to get a deal on a used guitar? Thanks guys

 

[IwantTacos]

There’s no stock anywhere of anything. Gc isn’t going to be giving any deals.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

GC Used is usually priced pretty good, but your best bet is to call the store it's at and see what's up. If it's been sitting a long time, especially now, there could be a problem with it.

Like @IwantTacos said, inventory is low everywhere, so there's not a ton of motivation as far as giving better deals, but it doesn't hurt to ask for like 10% and see if they bite if you have cash and want to make the deal today.

 

[ZERO1]

GC Used is usually priced pretty good, but your best bet is to call the store it's at and see what's up. If it's been sitting a long time, especially now, there could be a problem with it.

Like @IwantTacos said, inventory is low everywhere, so there's not a ton of motivation as far as giving better deals, but it doesn't hurt to ask for like 10% and see if they bite if you have cash and want to make the deal today.

cool. thanks for the advice.

 

[Crungy]

I scour GC's used section of their website from time to time. I'd say their prices are among the best for used stuff lately, though you don't get a lot of pictures and information.

@MaxOfMetal has the best advice if you're interested in something. Personally I've just ordered based on pictures and it worked out fine.

Based on posts about other gear from GC and my own experience I would not order anything heavier than a guitar from them.

 

[Jeffrey Bain]

I scour GC's used section of their website from time to time. I'd say their prices are among the best for used stuff lately, though you don't get a lot of pictures and information.

@MaxOfMetal has the best advice if you're interested in something. Personally I've just ordered based on pictures and it worked out fine.

Based on posts about other gear from GC and my own experience I would not order anything heavier than a guitar from them.

Echo what Crungy and others have said, their pricing is usually pretty good. Sometimes you'll get lucky and they'll mis-price something. Other times there's a reason it's so good.

They have a Schecter PT on there that was featured at NAMM for Low $1,xxx. Only issue is it looks like someone held it by the headstock and smashed it on the floor. 2 - 3 massive chunks missing from the clear/paint/wood.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/S...-Electric-Guitar.gc?rNtt=schecter PT&index=40

That old adage you get what you pay for rings pretty damn true most of the time.

 

[Valdra]

I buy stuff from GC's used website about once every two weeks or so it seems like. The best way to get deals is to check every day, they only update the used website's inventory once a day so I tend to check every morning when I wake up for work.

You're probably asking more how to get a better deal on the already listed price, I usually only buy stuff on there that is already priced accordingly at a below average price, but I have talked them down before. Also like someone before said, mispriced items come up more often than you'd think... New employees don't know what they're dealing with and might label a Digitech Whammy DT as a much cheaper Digitech Whammy and price them as the later (this is something I found before and scored on)

Ask lots of questions about the condition, try to find things "wrong" with the item if you can. If they say there is a mark that wasn't in the description you can always try to spin it on them and ask them if they can do any better because of the "problem". Also if it's a guitar ask if it comes with a hardshell case, if it does not groan and explain how "WORRIED" you are that it will come without a case and ask if there is any way they can throw one in. I've done that before when I bought an Agile 828 back when they were a little more uncommon back around 2011/2012 and they threw in a brand new $100 value hardshell case. They are more likely to give you a better deal on something that has been sitting. Also try to be their buddy and not a dick, that just helps in general lol, make them want to sell to you.

If they deny you on all fronts worst thing that can happen is you can call back and pay full price, hopefully it's already a good price as it is. They move lots of gear so if it isn't something super duper rare don't be afraid to wait because more will come through.

I have noticed their prices are steadily rising lately though. I used to be able to buy a Peavey 5150 cabinet for $150 pre shipping/tax and now they cranked them up to $600 (which is bat-shit insane for Sheffields speakers). Also old USA Peavey heads here recently have steadily started increasing in price. I'm assuming that goes back to the fact they can't get the inventory so they're trying to stock their shelves.

 

[Crungy]

As far as I know, cases are usually marked in their system as having a value of 1 cent. I believe it's the same for amp slip covers. Can't hurt to ask if they have any extra hardshell cases they could throw in.

 

[littlebadboy]

Like everybody said, it would be hard to get a deal with GC at this time. You may try to talk to the manager.

 

[Mboogie7]

Just call them and ask. There’s no secret way to initiate negotiations. Just reach out, see what they say and go from there.