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Another dos centavos Chris Chovit wrote: > OK...here' my 2 cents: > > We, as consumers, must demand more from retailers! In this spirit, I > try to avoid Guitar Center (etc.) and give my business to establishments > like Sweetwater Sound (etc.) that don't bullshit you. Exchanging price > information on a list like this is a great way to keep these places in > check. > I have to disagree...I have bought tons and tons of gear...and time and again Guitar Center matches or (usually) beats the competition...most of the gear is tagged with a current sale price...almost always 25% off list or more...frequently as high as 50% ALL guitar Center merchandise is tagged with bar code showing MSRP and NO GC salesperson has ever tried to charge me full price for anything...perhaps there are regional differences...I shop at the 4 Bay Area stores and I beleive they automatically assume they are dealing with savvy shoppers who went to the trouble to travel to their store to get a bargain. Now...the mom and pop stores are cool in a home town way and very convenient for picks,mags , lessons etc...but THEY are the ones who are most likely to ask List price (or MORE) for any given piece of gear. PLUS...try using it for 30 days and decide you dont want it...return to the mom/pop and try to get a full (or ANY) refund. Guitar Center absolutly RULES for that reason alone...I have employed that return policy on many occsions with no questions asked or hassles...and truth be told...that is the reason I shop there so frequently. Yes, Musicians Freind and AMS and other mail order outfits do a GREAT job and also offer extended length return priveledges (MF for example is 45 days...which is great)...but to be able to walk in to a store...walk out with the gear..knowing you can mess with it for a month and still bring it back...all at rock bottom pricing...is quite amazing in this retail age. No...I don't work for GC...and actually hate going in the place because of the ambient noise...but hey..a deals a deal...and I havent found anyone who can beat them consistenly.