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Guitar Center

www.guitarcenter.com
What is your customer experience with Guitar Center?

Guitar Center Overview

The aggregated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.

  • Guitar Center has 2.0 star rating based on 131 customer reviews. Consumers are mostly dissatisfied.

  • Rating Distribution
  • Pros: Leaving the store, Gear, Good people.
    Cons: Customer service, Poor service and inadequate service personnel, Company taking advantage of the consumer.

  • 67% of users think that Guitar Center should improve its Customer Service.
    50% of users say that they might use Guitar Center in the future for similar services or products if the company resolves their current issue.

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Media from reviews

Guitar Center - Refund
Guitar Center - Missing coverGuitar Center - Missing cover - Image 2Guitar Center - Called to complain of fraud but they gave me no service, unexceptabalGuitar Center - No free 25 dollar shipping on a 300 dollar order that was the wrong...Guitar Center - No free 25 dollar shipping on a 300 dollar order that was the... - Image 2Guitar Center - No free 25 dollar shipping on a 300 dollar order that was the... - Image 3
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Top Guitar Center Reviews

Positive Review

"Guitar i ordered 8 days ago"

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I order a backordered guitar and it was back in stock 3 days ago and i js want to ask nicely if yall can give me a estimate time of arrival of the guitar its a...

Critical Review

"Such a waist of time"

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I was trying to buy a Ibanez acoustic online but could not get my order to go through so I called them and the guy said there was a problem with my gear card...

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Carlos M Ysi

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Charleston, South Carolina

Guitar i ordered 8 days ago

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I order a backordered guitar and it was back in stock 3 days ago and i js want to ask nicely if yall can give me a estimate time of arrival of the guitar its a Takamine gd38 ce 12 strings

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Steve D Oae

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Maryville, Tennessee

Refund

Guitar Center - Refund

I paid $1,399.99 for a Fender Precision Bass Guitar on June 5th. I noticed that my item was cancelled. I would like to request a full refund, including tax.

Regards,

Steve Donovan

324 Mingo Way

Loudon, TN 37774

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Peter T Mby

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Lowell, Massachusetts

Being treated like Crap'

I have spent well over 10,000 dollars between on line ,and store purchases. The West Springfield mass.

Store has always been scattered or Hit or miss. It recently changed hands ,and I walked in with two guitars that were sold to me a couple of years ago, to A couple of sales man that one clamed to be a luthier. They examined the guitars in a fashion that I had to ask the Question "are you Luthier's"? They went on to devalue them so I excuised myself and went over to inspect a cabinet I was interested in.

When I went back they told me they wouldn't take them unless there in store Tech could tweek them for a large fee. And Said that my PRS silver sky, in Immaculate condition was not going to fetch me more than 200 bucks. While on the wall in the store was a a silver sky with a warped neck, and brown finger grime all over the neck for 849 as well as several guitars I asked to play that the strings were against the fret board rendering them un playable??? My brother IS a Luthier, and He does all my set ups, and I wouldn't have brought it there in that condition.

I have been collecting for many years and My instruments are pristine. Not to mention the attitudes I got from the salesman. Acting like I was Stupid. Super pissed off .

I knew I wouldn't get what they were worth because of your polices, and you would turn around and sell them for a huge profit, but this was Ridiculous. Sickening really!!

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User's recommendation: Stay away!

1 comment
Guest

You need to ask your brother for a referral of where to go.

Robert R Zai

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Kannapolis, North Carolina

Such a waist of time

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I was trying to buy a Ibanez acoustic online but could not get my order to go through so I called them and the guy said there was a problem with my gear card and he would put me on hold and contact the bank he came back and said everything was good to go and when it shipped I would get a email with my tracking number after two days with no answer I called back and there was not a order it was a used Ibanez acoustic with hardshell case for $140 case was probably worth a ninety bucks for a deal like that I could have worked something else out if I had known they are horrible I also have placed a orders online and got a confirmation email and two days later get a cancellation email product sold three times this has happened and not one apology or solution no wonder they are in trouble

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User's recommendation: Watch them they will screw you

Robert R Zai

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Twinsburg, Ohio

Ordered online 3 times ang get a confirmation email then 2 days later cancellation email saying it already sold

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Updated by user Mar 23, 2025

Have not heard a peep out of them I wonder if they have done something to my account I was supposed to have a $85 balanced I tried to buy a $20 pedal I need and it will not go through going to call them this week and see what is going on

Original review Mar 08, 2025

Not only that have placed order on really great deal on Ibanez acoustic with hardshell case waiting for email with tracking number did not get it called back and the guy did place the order that is why they are loosing money I bought from GC for used equipment but now Sweetwater is so do the math

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User's recommendation: Don't waist your time and go through the heartbreaker

Greg W Ilt

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Allen Park, Michigan

Jerome Allen park store

This dude is a complete *** Store manager, why? Look at your Yelp reviews and just put the name Jerome in.

He started a bunch of *** with me, and I got in his face. This dude has no business, period, being anything like a manager. He's rude and very stuck up. I could tell you many times he was a rude jerk to me for no reason.

The store is the worst in Michigan.

I went to other stores, and they were like, yeah, they're really rude there, don't want to help you with anything. I've been going to Guitar Center for 30 years and have never been thrown out over some petty *** like this.

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Pros:
  • Store has lots of cool instruments
Cons:
  • Staff are rude and terrible at their jobs

Preferred solution: ukulele

User's recommendation: Go to another store Guitar Center in Allen park Michigan is totally not worth it.

Anonymous
map-marker Woodland Hills, California

Shipping issue

I called last Friday (April 11th) and spoke to someone about having my packaged sent back to me from cherry hill NJ to Canoga Park CA (7357 eton ave). The person I spoke to informed me that my shipping address info has been updated, and that theyd be shipping my package out first thing Monday.

It is now Tuesday and the only thing I was emailed was that ups has not yet gotten a tracking number the package.

I called and spoke with someone today in Indianapolis and he told me there was nothing I could do to get that tracking number. Im really starting to get concerned about how long it will take me to receive my ONE TINY PACKAGE!

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Wilborn Rvi
map-marker Whitesburg, Kentucky

Wrong email

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So I was not angry at all. It was my mistake and at typo when I entered my email.

And by the time I called to get it straight the pedal I was trying to purchase was already sold and gone from the store. The customer service representative was very polite and helpful so no complaints from me

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Anonymous
map-marker Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I had to go to guitar center in person to speak with a store manager. Crystal refused to help me or transfer me. I spoke with Rob the store manager and he said he'd submit a ticket for my refund.

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I was charged without being called or emailed to let me know. I didnt know lessons were a subscription!

I asked the person at the center to please refund me and she was very nasty with me! Her name is crystal at the Monroeville guitar center.

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User's recommendation: Don't get lessons here. They aren't worth the money and they'll try to get you wrapped up in the "subscription" and refuse to refund you.

Pablo M Blb

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Verified Reviewer

Customer complaint

Better customer service is needed. For instance, if I'm next in line, employees should not put me aside to make their sales first and make me wait. I was told that they are supposed to prioritize making sales, which shouldn't be the case if I had patiently waited for my turn.

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Preferred solution: For them to take care of me. I ended up leaving my product at store cuz I was very upset.

Monroe M Srh

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Fairlawn, Ohio

Missing cover

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Guitar Center - Missing cover
Guitar Center - Missing cover - Image 2

My son bought a guitar on clearance today. After we got home, we saw that the battery cover was missing.

It's not the price that bothers me, but nobody bothered explaining or telling us why it was on clearance. We assumed it's a discontinued item. I'm not happy that we had to find out ourselves. When I called to ask about it, all he said was, 'You can buy them on Amazon and sorry about that.' Really, that's it?

Nothing acknowledging that it should have been mentioned. A cover isn't something you look for.

My son has it, but I bought it for him as a gift. I didn't realize it was my responsibility to check everything.

View full review
Loss:
$8
Pros:
  • Selection
Cons:
  • Never explained the cover was missing

Preferred solution: A cover

User's recommendation: Make sure all the parts are there

Anonymous
map-marker Littleton, Colorado

Return item

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Im trying to return an item that was missing the power cable. How am I suppose to use it?

Id like to return this footswitch. Ive reached out to customer service multiple times.

Have been ignored. No wonder stores are closing.

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User's recommendation: Shop Sweat Water

Latasha Nez
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Copy of receipt

Guiat center sherman oaks is closed for repairs i still need a copy of my reciept becuase the product came damaged.

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Omar M Wiv

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Palmdale, California

Called to complain of fraud but they gave me no service, unexceptabal

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Guitar Center - Called to complain of fraud but they gave me no service, unexceptabal

I went in to Palmdale guitar center to sell my amplifier Crown XTI 4002 new sells for $1,359. My used amp is practically new only used a few hours I go to sell it and manager states he can only provide $300 and the store would sell it for $599.

I said thats low and manager stated their system determines the price and all Guitar Center stores has to abide by it and cant even go up .50 cents more. So I believe him and took the loss. A week goes by and I see on the Guitar Centers website that they have an another store selling the same amp in worse condition for $999.99. This is fraud as they stated I could not get no more then 60% of what they sell used gear for so unless Im mistaken 60% of $999.99 is $599.99, I was lied to.

I called store manager and he said hes new to the store but that they could not give me more as their computer program states they cant buy for more then $300. Which I said thats a lie and to look at the Davenport IA Guitar Centers inventory they have a used one selling for $999.99, which is more than what his computer says. I want that same deal.

No help from anyone. Next step is the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU this is fraud period

View full review
Loss:
$300
Pros:
  • At this time no
Cons:
  • No assistance with store complaints cant talk to a person to resolve issue

Preferred solution: I would like to sell my used amp in perfect condition for the same value as the amp listed on Davenport IA website

User's recommendation: Be aware for this issue when selling gear to them

TETE N

This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ

Verified Buyer
|

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Carle Place, New York

Refund

Contains 2 confidential files for company representatives

Hi,

I've reached out to the Guitar Center for a refund in Carle Place. They said they can't do much and suggested that I reach out to the headquarters for my refund.

The item had been left in the store in July when I went to ask for my refund. They said they would reach back to me after testing it.

I called them back to see if there were any updates on my refund, but was told that because my team has already complained, I should go and speak to the headquarters. I have attached the item for your reference.

View full review
Loss:
$2400
Cons:
  • Bad customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Peter Y Qrl

This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ

Verified Buyer
|

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Totowa, New Jersey

Refund issue

Contains 2 confidential files for company representatives
Updated by user Oct 09, 2024

Not resolved

Original review Sep 24, 2024
Hello, I hope this message finds you doing well. I am extremely upset, disappointed, and frustrated with my local store's management.

I had a payment for lessons go through recently for $220.00 for guitar lessons for my son. I called and emailed the store and was told I would get my refund. My son's school and after-school schedule is too hectic from now until the end of November. I told them I would resume lessons in December when his after-school schedule allows him to make his lessons, and the lessons purchased are only good for 30 days.

After waiting over a week, I am now told that the district manager is not allowing them to refund my money for lessons I didn't want and was promised a refund for and cannot use. I have been a loyal customer of products and services for a few years now and was planning to resume my son's lessons in December but after this district manager's decision to deny my refund. I no longer want to be a customer of such a store that operates this way. I am absolutely stunned in disbelief, this is horrendous customer service.

The girl in the store (Leah) was very nice but she has no authority. I am part of a network of musicians and people in the industry and will definitely tell them to take their business anywhere but Guitar Center.

I would like to get my refund ASAP please. Thank you!
View full review
Loss:
$220

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Be aware. Do not go on auto pay just pay as you go.

About

Related Companies

Ares Management, Music And Arts, Musicians Friend, Music123, Woodwind And Brasswind

Summary

The Guitar Center was started in 1959 by Wayne Mitchell in Hollywood, California. By 1961, the name of the company was changed to The Organ Center. In 2005, G.C.'s acquisition of Music & Arts Center brought 62 new stores throughout the US. At the present time, Guitar Center operates 214 locations. In addition, company's Music & Arts division operates 91 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. The Guitar Center is also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through its wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc. The stores feature the following brands Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, Epiphone, Roland, Shure, Line 6, etc. The corporate office of the company is based in Westlake Village, CA.

Guitar Center reviews and complaints

Guitar Center is ranked 83 out of 849 in Music stores category

Area Served

USA

Payment Methods

MasterCardVISAAmerican Express

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