Would you buy a used amp from GC that had to be shipped?

[benjuro]

From their policies:

All items purchased from Guitar Center are made pursuant to a shipment contract. This means that the risk of loss and title for such items passes to you upon our delivery to the carrier.

I guess many retailers may have something similar, but I have visions of these guys dropping an amp into a box and pushing it out the door. They have a few amps at decent prices I might be interested in and the 30 day satisfaction guarantee SOUNDS good, but between this and the whopping $12.50 shipping charge, I'm not left with a lot of confidence.
Would you take a chance if they had something you wanted?

[MEC]

I think you can have them ship it to a GC store near you and then you could go pick it up.
This may allow you to bypass that part of the policy since they aren't shipping direct to you.
It would also allow you to look it over, plug it in and check it out with a GC employee as a witness.

[The4455]

Yah, I talked to a guy at GC about ordering a guitar that they don't usually stock and he said it would ship free to the store on the next order, but I had to buy it but, that if I didn't like it I could return it and he'd just put it up on the wall. So you have to buy it, but you can return it. I'd do it.

[bigchiefbc]

I got my 1960 used from a GC in like Texas or something, they actually packed it really well. No compaints there at all. But yeah, if you can have them ship it to a store, even better. Then you know it'll get there in good shape.

[tuffteef]

its just a fingerpointing deal
which is fair if the post breaks it they say go ask them about it

[insubordination]

I think you can have them ship it to a GC store near you and then you could go pick it up.
This may allow you to bypass that part of the policy since they aren't shipping direct to you.
It would also allow you to look it over, plug it in and check it out with a GC employee as a witness.

Yeah, this. I've had a couple things shipped to store and both times they asked if I wanted to open the box and inspect it first. It's your right.
Also, I have a friend who works as a shipper for GC and says their company policy requires them to wrap like everything (transformers, tubes, etc.) they can before shipping.

[kurmudgeon]

I bought an amp from GC in October that was originally in Texas (I'm in Jersey). It was packaged pretty well but the description on their website wasn't so great and the amp didn't even ship with all of its tubes. I offered to lift it out of the box cause it's mad heavy and the employees in my store insisted (even though one of them is a complete airhead.) They gave me a crappy pair of GTs to complete the quad for the one tube that was missing and we tested it to make sure it worked. The reverb was a bit funky and the tremolo only worked in maybe two parts of the pot's sweep with the intensity cranked. They reminded me of the 30 days so that was nice. But GC is lucky to even get string/cord sales from me now. Won't ever (never say never?) buy anything big from them again

[excane]

I bought my Mesa Nomad combo (100 watts and 2x12) from GC in Seattle and shipped to me in NY.

It was packed EXTREMELY well, they custom pack each amp with those foam paddings that take the shape of whatever they're surrounding.
It was then wrapped in bubble wrap and double boxed.

I will say that a few other people I know got questionable packaging so I think it's a gamble no matter which GC you buy from.

[rfurtkamp]

Sure, I've bought everything *but* an amp from GC's used site thusfar it seems, but everything has been stupidly overpacked, shipping has been dirt cheap, and as described - but I always call, talk to a specific sales dude with the item in hand, and go from there.

[devideva]

30 day no question asked return policy

you may need it. buy it and have it come to your door. if it doesn't work take it back.
don't cound on it, don't set yourself up for heartbreak, i bought three pedals from their used (due to the prices - very good) - they all came in good shape but didn't come with the proprietary power cords so were useless, i finally found one that looked good, with a picture of powercord in the blip, and guess what, no power cord. but this be a long story for a big sized blunt.

gofrit.

[Helter]

I bought my amp from guitar center and it was packaged really well, with the foam that takes it shape like mentioned above. Also double boxed and packing peanuts everywhere. I would do it again, they have some really great prices on there.

[Pizza]

I totally would. I would take pictures of it first though. Unboxing and what not.

[rfurtkamp]

The crapshoot on shipping etc is Musicgoround's used site.

Individual stores don't have nearly the corporate QA and whatnot, and I've had a couple very expensive items shipped and left at my door, no signature required, covered in "Musicgoround" tape etc saying "steal me."

[technicoloraudio]

i think they have upped their shipping game recently, since horror stories get to people like us so fast, they had to.
sometimes if you have it shipped to store, they will charge you in state sales tax, not always, i've experienced both, and if you love the state you live in and believe that your tax dollars go to good use, whatevs.

but never let them tell you shit or dick is your responsibility until after that 30 day return policy comes to a close.