Guitar Center Reviews 

I reached out to Guitar Center's customer support for assistance, as I was looking to purchase a guitar for my husband's birthday. In trying to keep this a surprise and knowing next to nothing about guitars, I was in over my head. I didn't call with the intention of receiving a ton of personalized assistance - I just wanted to ask about their return policy, as I figured that if I picked the wrong one being able to return it was extremely important. The gentleman who answered the phone, Dalton, was immediately very nice and seemed excited to help. I asked my quick return policy questions and I was ready to hang up when he started asking about what exactly I was looking for. This turned into a fairly lengthy conversation in which I explained that this needed to be a surprise so I had very limited information and zero experience looking at guitars - and he jumped at the chance to help. I was able to send him links to the specific listings I had found and he did a lot of research - even calling the store to confirm that the frontrunner was in fact in the excellent condition shown in the photos. We ended up exchanging over a dozen emails and multiple phone calls over two days as he answered my million inane questions and walked me through exactly what he was looking for and ultimately held my hand through the checkout and shipping process. With so much less stress than I had anticipated, all thanks to Dalton, my husband now has a guitar on the way. I truly can't say enough good things about this experience. As someone who knows almost nothing about guitars, the idea of buying one online was somewhat terrifying. Dalton was incredibly patient and beyond helpful. I would absolutely recommend that anyone considering purchasing from Guitar Center who isn't entirely confident in what they want reach out to the gear specialists, as this was by far the best customer service experience I can ever recall having. I can't wait for my husband to have his new guitar and get to chat with Dalton about the new amp he wants to go with it!

Ordered a guitar online 48 hours later GC cancelled the order, claiming the guitar was damaged. Photos and the original listing stated the guitar was in "great condition," but now it is mysteriously damaged. GC made no effort to help find a replacement; they basically said, "Well, you're S.O.L., and we don't stand by our website." The local GC rep was rude and provided no real info or proof that the guitar was damaged. They falsely advertised an item, undersold it, and then reneged on the sale. I would caution you to buy from another retailer because Guitar Center has no integrity.

Edit* and if you can even believe it two days later used Brendan smalls ghost horse explorer for sale. Who knows if it’s the same guitar as I purchased you can’t even be sure if the photos guitar center uses are even accurate.

I went back to guitar center,and it was a completely different experience.The staff was friendly,and professional!I was very happy with the knowledge of the staff,and what I bought!!!

UPS failed delivery for some unknown reason. They returned my package. I told Guitar Center this was unsatisfactory. I needed my mandolin case yesterday. Resend my package! Again, Guitar Center shipped it UPS Economy Ground Service. They do not value my buisness!

Ordered a $5000 amplifier for a price too good to be true. Amp was advertised as "fully functional," having "fresh tubes," and the staff said it came with factory dust cover and footswitch. Turns out, it was too good to be true. The amp arrived with a broken power tube, burnt up rectifier tube and no footswitch or cover.

Guitar Center customer support kept saying they would fix this. After a month, I was ready to return the unusable amp, but now it was past the return window. After weeks of back and forth with customer service, they sent tubes. They sent the wrong tubes, and I had to take time out of my day to print a label and go drop them off to be shipped back. Now been a few months, and still can't use the amp. I haven't shopped at Guitar Center for 20 years because of a similar situation (bought a Les Paul Custom that had all generic electronics and parts installed and they wouldn't accept a return because it was a special clearance price) and never will again.

The selection is awesome in all departments. Kudos to whoever decided to unlock the good stuff a few years ago. I never visited the store while they were locked up.

The absolute worst part of every single store in my area is the customer service...or lack of of service. I have had experience as a Manager of a retail store and realize staffing is an issue everywhere. In this day and age it is so easy to buy products on-line rather than visit a brick and mortar store. The only thing that could bring value to visiting stores is customer service. My local stores (RI & Southern MA) do not either have the staff or they just do not know how to sell and assist customers. The stores are poorly merchandised and staff is normally at the front desk congregating. As a previous manager, this would be unacceptable.

I am in my late 40s and have a collection of higher-end guitars, along with disposable income. Not once in the last 2-3 years has a single salesperson attempted to assist or try to actively sell an product. In addition to their lack of initiative, most of the staff really think they are rock stars and they are above their customers. While I understand they might be great musicians, the sales/personal skills are highly lacking.

My last visit I played several $2k+ acoustics and found a D18 I really loved. I was in the store for over an hour and not a single staff attempted to assist or "sell" the guitar. I did end up buying one on-line at a cheaper price. However, a single attempt assist could have led me to but directly from the store.

I realize that staffing is expensive but if you want to survive, there needs to be some attention paid to the customer

I called about a certain Harmonica, they said they had one and I said are you sure. I have a long drive, I decided to call again to make sure another person answered and I ask them to find it and put it up he said it was there so I drove a good ways to get it. and got there they said it showed they had it but wasnt there., I had ask him to look, its cost me gas and 18$ in tolls. I could have ordered it,

I have been a Guitar Center Customer since 1990. And I was just involved in the best customer service experience ive ever had anywhere. Guitar Center still offers the Human Connection, which is important when purchasing items that are tools for your passion (music). Phillip Lopez the mgr at Cerritos had impeccable follow through & customer service skills.

I had replacement item that was still under warranty. It was seamless, professional and felt very Rewarding. I advised all my band members and peers to buy into Guitar Center Pro Coverage.

Made a purchase and return was easy. Want to thank salespeople Brian and especially Sam for their excellent help and proffesionalism.

This year on Christmas my dad got me a brand new acoustic guitar, an Epiphone J45. I saw the unusual shape of the present and razed through the paper, leaving nothing but scraps in my wake. My dad knows I'm fervid for all things music, so this present was perfect for me. I strummed a basic F bar chord, the sound was euphonious, not from my playing, but from the build of the guitar. This present was munificent, I had never received something so grand in my life. My dad told me he went to five guitar stores, meticulously trying each guitar until he found the one for me. The guitar sounds so good, I practice it everyday, my mind is torpid with this instrument, there are so many songs that would sound so good, how do I pick what to learn? I pick songs viable to my skill level, someday, I'll learn harder songs. Every time I learn a new song I am transient, I jump from song to song, my mind discursive as ever. Sometimes in my practice, I break a string, it makes an awful din. Lucky for me this guitar is super easy to restring! Everytime I come home and I see my guitar, I pick it up and strum with alacrity. Not only does this guitar sound amazing, it looks amazing too, its beauty is the opposite of prosaic. Some things I play on this guitar are nefarious, because I’m not the best player, but I am sure this guitar will help me be great. I am an impecunious young man, so getting this lifetime guitar is great, thanks dad and thanks Epiphone! Ten out of ten stars.

I would say I was pleased to see the product was in great physical condition, but when I finally used it, some keys are either bugged out or won’t play at all. I would like to request for a repair if possible as I also purchased a 12 month repair warranty. Thank you and please let me know the next step to solving my issue.

They have a “Price Drop” listed on both the website and app. The price is listed as a price drop, not a sale. I called to try to apply my military discount and they won’t because their system isn’t showing the same price the website and app are.

I’ve been a Guitar Center Gear Card holder for almost 10 years now and they got my name wrong on my latest order, even though I’m in the system.

Zeke has poor customer service
Don’t lay money on the counter Zeke when it is put into your hand! This place is rude crude and full of stone cold racism
I have always hated the feeling I get when I walk in there
I should have went to the micro center

Drew Hartman made my buying experience great. He listened to what I inquired about. He was professional and easy to talk to. His product knowledge was on par with what I was looking for. He treated me like an old friend....and I purchased the item.

Salesman Jason at Guitar Center in Hialeah-794 was outstanding. He was totally helpful & cooperative with my purchase. Did everything to make sure I was able to get the piece of equipment I desired at a reasonable price. Exceeded expectations for a Salesman at Guitar Center. Would Shop there again thanks to my experience today

ON line/through the mail.....As easy as being in the store. Thank you!

Very frustrated! Signed my son up for guitar lessons for the 2nd time. First time was great. 2nd time not so much! Need better communication and follow-ups from the lesson coordinator. I canceled the lesson due to it. After the cancellation, I was still being charged for the monthly subscription. Currently waiting for my refund. Hopefully, I’m off the system and will not be charged again. Not sure why. Need to do a better job!

Worst customer service period! Dont buy here. Youve been warned! They sent me the wrong 50lb boxes and i had to wait a month to be refunded. This place is a complete joke! Bankrupycy is looming for them. Wonder why? Dont even think of buying from guitar center.

I ordered an electronic drum set from Guitar Center on December 24 after being told it was in stock at a local store.

After payment was taken, I received an email saying it was NOT actually in stock. When I contacted customer service to cancel, they refused to issue a refund and said the order was “already shipping,” even though it’s being shipped to a store and won’t arrive until January 5.

A manager told me there was “nothing they can do” and that this is just how Guitar Center operates.

Posting this so others are aware before ordering.

I should have ordered from Amazon. I know that Guitar Center itself isn't at fault, but because I chose to support a smaller business, I am the one who doesn't have a Christmas Gift for my daughter on Christmas morning. GC claims the shipper picked up the item but nothing ever changed as the days ticked closer to the holiday. When I called I asked Guitar Center support if they could send me a replacement and if the other item eventually showed up it could be returned. They said they couldn't do this. Unfortunately Amazon can handle stuff like this and get items replaced without having to worry about $200 not being in their pockets for a week. Huge disappointment.