Reviews

This profile includes reviews for Guitar Center, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

close

Find a Location

Guitar Center, Inc. has 155 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

BBB accredited

Near

Country

USUnited States

Please enter a valid location.

Filter

• 

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  PO Box 7470 Westlake Vlg, CA 91359

  
• 

  Guitar Center

  9001 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70815

• 

  Guitar Center

  23133 Outer Dr Allen Park, MI 48101

• 

  Guitar Center Tallahassee

  2415 North Monroe St. #600 Tallahassee, FL 32303

• 

  Guitar Center Inc.

  116 W Main St Carrboro, NC 27510-2026

Review Details

• Review fromChristopher M

  Date: 10/23/2023

  1 star
  Literally broke parts of my guitar during a $130 service and did nothing about it. Now the guitar I’ve held on to and protected since i was a kid has damaged pegs, and all thanks to incompetence without resolution. So now i have to find someone to repair, while still being out $130 for the ‘service’ that damaged it in the first place. Not to mention the service wasn’t worth the funds even without the broken parts. Please avoid this place for your own good.

• Review fromGabriel S

  Date: 09/26/2023

  1 star

  Gabriel S

  Date: 09/26/2023

  Glendora CA Guitar Center:
  I purchased a used guitar from the Guitar Center website that displayed pictures of a guitar with zero damage. In the description it mentioned it had some cosmetic damage but it was functional and in excellent playing condition.
  Fast forward, I receive the item and it has significant damage to the guitar and the coil tap switch was broken (was not mentioned in the listing).
  I saved pictures of the listing and the guitar I received. In no way this damage occurred during shipping to me. I call my "Gear Advisor" and he tries to explain that maybe it was damaged when it was shipped to me, or maybe they sent me the wrong guitar and that I should call the store it was shipped from.
  I call the Glendora CA Guitar Center and talk with the manager Victor. He explains that he knew the guitar was damaged and that he couldn't upload new images of the guitars condition. So he proceeded to tell me he was sorry and that he thought the coil tap switch was fixed when in fact it wasn't.
  So to summarize. I received a guitar that was not the same condition as the pictures and it had damage to the coil tap switch that was not listed in the description. This is extremely deceptive and was a huge waste of my time.
  I will never give Guitar Center my business again and I will advise others of the same. Buy music gear anywhere else!
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 10/10/2023

  Hi G*******
  We are very sorry to hear about your experience at our Glendora location. If possible, please send your feedback to us at [email protected] and we get it to the above store leadership for that store.
  Again, we are very sorry for the inconvenience. We hope to hear from you soon.
  Thank you.

• Review fromnicholas p

  Date: 09/15/2023

  1 star

  nicholas p

  Date: 09/15/2023

  I wish I could leave a zero rating after my experience today for Guitar Center in Orange Park Florida. I bought a Martin custom online and had it set up for store pickup. Got to the store and was so excited about the guitar that I did not do as thorough of an inspection as I should have. The guitar was advertised as "great" condition with only minor surface scratches.
  After getting the guitar home I noticed the binding was loose in multiple places. Went back to the store and asked the guitar tech and immediately he went into damage control mode of trying to come up with any excuse other than the store never really inspected the guitar thoroughly. Then two other employees joined him and they circled the wagons coming up with excuses together why they didn't commit fraud. They admitted that the guitar was never inspected at the store and that is was graded somewhere else. The tech suggested that I return the guitar and his boss refused that saying I can't return it because It is somehow in a different condition.
  Is it too much to ask that a brand actually has integrity and fixes what is a simple issue. So instead of doing a simple binding repair they have lost a customer who buys expensive items. I will go out of my way now to find another business that actually has integrity and spend my money there. The store committed fraud and the staff refused to do anything but say hey your problem now.
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 10/10/2023

  Hi N*******,
  We are very sorry to hear about your experience at our Orange Park location.
  If possible, please forward your feedback to us at [email protected] and we will take care of you.
  Again, we are very sorry for the inconvenience, and we hope we can talk to you soon.
  Thank you

• Review fromJoy B

  Date: 09/05/2023

  1 star

  Joy B

  Date: 09/05/2023

  I want to start by saying, I wish I could leave two ratings: one rating for the quality of instruction, which was excellent and far exceeded my expectations and not reflected in the customer rating above. And the second rating for the customer experience, which is reflected in the rating above; the customer service I experienced at these locations was unprofessional and sub-standard and I only tolerated due to the quality of the lessons.
  In this review I want to focus on the customer experience. I hesitated writing this for a long time but in light of school starting and students wanting to take music lessons
  I think it's valuable for parents/caregivers to know or be aware of when scheduling/attending music lessons that I learned the hard way.
  Scheduling lessons through Guitar Center corporate is seamless. However, if you have to change your schedule that's where the challenges start. You have to deal with the local store where you are taking lessons. You have to wait an hold for an unreasonable amount of time to have whatever your issue is addressed. If you need to reschedule a lesson, you need to email with 24 hours notice I think is the policy. But there is no allowance for emergency cancellations. I had to cancel a lesson due to a flat and am pretty sure I lost that lesson. I say pretty sure because for a while I was renewing my lessons so it didn't occur to me that unless you cancel your lesson and reschedule through the same 4 week class cycle you lose your class. Even if you cancel within the designated time period, you never get your make up class unless you essentially take 2 classes during a four week period but you aren't offered any days/times to make up your class. I think some locations validate your parking but that isn't clearly communicated. At times either no equipment was provided for lessons or it didn't work properly.
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 09/11/2023

  Hi J**,
  We are very sorry to hear about your experience when trying to reschedule classes. We appreciate all feedback for it helps us to better serve our customers. Please, let us know which location you visited and are working with, and we will follow up with the store manager and district manager to address the experience. Send it to [email protected] and we will assist further.
  Again, we are very sorry for the inconvenience. Also, feel free to reach out to the above email for anything else that you may need.
  Thank you.

• Review fromJeremy M

  Date: 08/25/2023

  1 star

  Jeremy M

  Date: 08/25/2023

  I have done business with Guitar Center and its entities for over 20 years. This most recent interaction displays an escalating pattern of poor customer service, deceptive billing practices, siloed management and a general lack of responsibility for issues they have created for themselves. We worked with the institutional department to purchase sound equipment for a marching band. The large order was serviced through a purchase order and the local store repeatedly mishandled the transaction. They asked us to provide the purchase order number and a tax exempt id and the purchase could go through. Having provided the requirements, they told us they could not process the payment without a Net30 account which would take up to 8 weeks to setup. They also said they could not produce an invoice for us to present to our finance secretary to approve the payment. We ended up paying with an institutional credit card, which is never a good situation for a public school as it creates accounting difficulty and extra work. Our order was split up into three deliveries and they never told us. When the first part was complete, we were notified that our order was ready, only to drive to the store and pick up a handful of items. They use UPS delivery notifications and pay absolutely no attention to how it is communicated to their customer. We picked up the next delivery several days later only to find that a product was damaged. When we returned the item for exchange at another store, they refunded the item onto the institutional credit card and asked us to create another charge for the replacement. We had to pay for the replacement out of personal funds in order to leave. Customer service blamed the store managers and told us we should have dealt directly with the institutional department. Customer service relayed no ability to escalate the issue to a complaint and dropped several calls. Customer service did not reply to any calls unless directed to do so through an escalation.
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 09/05/2023

  Hey J*****,
  We are very sorry to hear about your recent experience when ordering from us. We appreciate all feedback so that we may better serve you and we thank you for sharing.
  Please, feel free to email us more information at [email protected] and we will try to assist you.
  Again, we are very sorry for your experience.
  Thank you.

• Review fromJames G

  Date: 08/22/2023

  1 star

  James G

  Date: 08/22/2023

  Ordered a Roland electric set middle of the line ~$3k. It was used. When it arrived, it didn't have cables and power supply. No problem reached out. Long story short a month later after talking to 10 people and multiple email threads, I bought the equipment myself. I asked for a gift card or discount code a couple times. The last email I received they stated "potentially look at reimbursing you that amount in some sort of appeasement". I stated here is the receipts, and a picture of the equipment I bought.
  Don't buy from them. Most responses were 3-4 days and most times I had to send a follow-up email to get a response. Buy from local smaller businesses.
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 08/23/2023

  Hi J****,
  We are very sorry to hear about your recent experience with us. Buying a used kit and not having the power supply is frustrating indeed. Please send details of your experience to [email protected] and we will assist you further.
  Again, we are very sorry for the frustration, and we hope we can talk to you soon.
  Thank you!

• Review fromAshlie S

  Date: 05/10/2023

  1 star

  Ashlie S

  Date: 05/10/2023

  I made 1 purchase and began receiving loads of marketing emails. I have clicked unsubscribe, contacted customer service multiple times, and i continue to receive tons of emails per day. According to the FTC CAN-SPAM Act, companies are required to tell how to opt out and honor opt outs promptly: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business. I have clicked the unsubscribe option, talked to customer service, and been told verbatim " Hopefully you won't get emails anymore" and "I did what is in my hands and can't guarantee [removal of my email address".
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 05/11/2023

  Hello A*****,
  We apologize that you are getting so many unwanted marketing emails.
  I sent your email to our email marketing team to get you taken off the list. Should take effect in about 2 to 3 days.
  In the meantime, if you get anymore after 3 days please forward the email to us at [email protected] so that we may escalate it.
  Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience.
  Thank you.

• Review fromChris H

  Date: 03/02/2023

  1 star

  Chris H

  Date: 03/02/2023

  I ordered a $4500. Martin Guitar on line through a person on Feb 6th 2023
  He told me my new guitar would arrive in 5 days, on the following Saturday.
  I tried to track it but never saw any tracking detail so when Saturday came, I called costumer service and was told that my order hadn’t even shipped yet.
  I cancelled my order and ordered a guitar through a different company.
  Next thing I knew I received an email saying a different guitar had shipped to me. I didn’t order it but they also hadn’t charged my credit card either.
  The day before it was scheduled to be delivered I called and cancelled and the said they could do that. I also informed them that they had never charged me for the new guitar and I could have been quiet and let the guitar arrive and keep it and would not have been charge for it. I would have got a $4500.00 guitar for free but that is not how I am. Right after that the charge showed up on my credit card.
  I have been calling and emailing this company and have had no luck getting my money back. I am going to end up paying interest on a charge that they have not refunded me or kept me informed as to when I will get my refund.
  If you buy anything from this company you are at risk of losing your money.
  I will never do business with them again.
  $4500.00 For me that’s pretty stressful wounding if I will ever see my money or have I just been swindled by a large corporation!
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 03/07/2023

  Hello C****,
  I am very sorry to hear about your poor experience with your order. I did look and see an investigation was opened on your guitar and it is currently being looked into.
  If you have any more details you can share, you can email us at [email protected] and we will gladly assist you.
  Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience if you need anything else, please do not hesitate to ask.
  Thank you.

• Review fromDiane F

  Date: 03/02/2023

  1 star

  Diane F

  Date: 03/02/2023

  My daughter has been doing drum lessons at Guitar Center in La Mesa, Ca for 2 years. On a monthly basis her lessons are cancelled either the day before or 1-2 hours before her scheduled lesson (short notice is usually the case) and notifying me by email. My husbands phone number was used when she first signed up and at times they do text him, he works in construction and doesn't get to his phone right away . I have asked numerous time to update the phone number to mine which I'm told they can't I would need to cancelled my daughters plan (losing any pre-paid lessons she has) and rejoin. Heck it's 2023 and you can't figure out a way to update a phone number!!! I understand things happen and lessons need to be cancelled but pick up the phone and call to notify especially if it is 55 minutes prior to the appointment (which happen to us this week). I have had to cancel a few hours prior to her appointment before by picking up the phone and calling. I was quite shock to be told I would have to pay for the lesson anyways since it wasn't 24 hours beforehand but when THEY cancel why aren't you crediting me a additional session for my inconvenience when we drive 1 hour to get there!!!!!! If it wasn't for the awesome instructors we would have left a long time ago.
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 03/07/2023

  Hello D****,
  First, I want to thank you for reaching out to us, we appreciate all feedback we receive. Second, I am sorry you are having issues with the La Mesa store. I would like more details along with contact information sent over to [email protected] so I can forward your feedback to the store management and district manager.
  Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience, if you need anything please do not hesitate to ask.
  Thank you.

• Review fromKaren J

  Date: 02/15/2023

  1 star

  Karen J

  Date: 02/15/2023

  My partner purchased a guitar and 4 free lessons for me for Christmas, Dec 2022 from the Guitar Center in Tukwila, WA. In Jan, I scheduled my appointments using the gift card that I had received for the pre-paid lessons. I was told that I would need to provide a credit card to have on file in the event I wanted to continue beyond my free lessons. I squawked about having to provide a credit card to use pre-paid lessons and was told that it was company policy, but I wouldn’t be billed if I decided not to continue following the pre-paid lessons.
  I called and spoke to Jake, the lessons manager to notify him that I was incorrectly billed. I was told that it is corporate policy, they could not offer me a refund that it is subscription based similar to a gym membership. That “key” piece of info was not shared with me when they told me that I had to have a credit card on file. I would've never signed up for a $117 mo. subscription that you use it or lose it. I was told that the only way I could prevent being billing for another month’s subscription on Feb 28th was to remove my credit card from the file and by doing so, they could not honor rescheduling any unused lessons that I've already paid for.
  I feel like this is theft. Not only was I unable to use the pre-paid gift card my partner paid for, but I was charged in advance for a useless monthly membership service that I was unaware I was signed up for in the first place. To make matters worse, my first experience with a musical instrument was not pleasant, the instructor I was assigned was inpatient and not the best for someone who has never played an instrument before. He acted as if I should know every part of the guitar, how to tune it by ear and how to play notes without looking. Very disappointing! I have filed a dispute with my credit card & am thinking of contacting the AG’s too. This was my first experience with the Guitar Center & unfortunately, will be my last. I will never patronize them again.
  

  Guitar Center, Inc.

  Date: 02/17/2023

  Hello K****,
  I'm sorry for the frustrating experience with the Guitar Center in Tukwila. I'll gladly share your comments with the management chain in charge of the store including the Store Manager, as well as the District Manager. I assure you, we take your feedback seriously, and will do our best to work with you to show you that we're better than what you have experienced.
  Please email us at [email protected] with the details along with the contact method you prefer and we can get this addressed for you by management.
  Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Again, I'm sorry for the frustration you've experienced.
  Thank you