Guitar Center closing down!

Bankruptcy isn't the same thing as closing down (although that could eventually be the outcome). Bankruptcy is a way to protect a company from creditors while it undergoes restructuring. GC has a ton of debt that may never be fully repaid. I'd expect a very different in-store experience, with some of the marginal stores being closed down. If they go to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, then that will be the end.

I seriously doubt that they're closing just now, It's gonna take a whole lot more"restructuring" before they're done bilking the American musician...

Anyone else feel like “restructuring” is code for grabbing as much bailout money as possible before laying off most of the employees and shutting (most) of their doors?

Every time I walk out of a Guitar Center I’m muttering “****ng morons why do I even bother...”

I did snag a good deal online with them once for an amp. Main part of that story is online and I didn’t have to deal with any of the employees.

Shit I’m starting to sound like Johnny Epp!! I’m too young for this!!!!

I have to admit.....i went through a solid year or two of ordering all sorts of gear off their 'used' site.
It was a totally crap shoot, and lots of stuff had issues that weren't reported, had to go off 1 tiny picture...but a few cool things came out of it. 
If I didn't like it or there was some problem, simply bring the unit back for refund... no issues.

Although I think the manager at the one stores was basically like 'I'm on to you' and he didn't appreciate my business as I was returning about 50% or more of the stuff....haha

I'd show up with an item purchased online from a completely different store..."well I've changed my mind on this Manley Vari-Mu...I just dont want it anymore. Can I get a refund please" 

I'll admit that I've thoroughly abused GC's return policy in the past. It's hard for me to feel bad about that considering all the times I walked into that store, with a pocket full of cash, ready to drop $500/$1000/$2000 etc but then stormed out, pissed off, because 1) I couldn't find a single person who was available to help me, 2) the staff was so incompetent/rude that I refused to give them my money, 3) they were persistently trying to sell me something inferior when I knew exactly what I wanted, or 4) All of the above.

I know, I know, but still....I have no sympathy lol.

I sold music gear for a short while, for a web company that is no longer around. I got those same spiffs, they were great...but, I still never tried to sell anything that didnt fit the customers wants/needs. In fact, most of the time I’d get people wanting to buy whatever flavor of the month piece they saw in Sound on Sound that month and I’d talk them into buying something much cheaper and more practical, because I knew it fit their needs better and I couldn’t stand to be the sleazy car salesmen type. I mean, I seriously lost a lot of money, both for me and the company, by down selling all the time.

So when some burnt out 80’s hair rocker tries to sell me some piece of shit, when I obviously know way more about the products then they do, they get the finger, not my money 😀

They wouldn't be able to stay in business selling Squires, SM 57 and 58, HD 280, HS8, and Steinberg gear. They have to upsell the Apollos, unusable house brand cables, and crappy overpriced rebranded Chinese mics (they rarely stock the usable ones).

I've built a good relationship with people at two of the stores near me. I occasionally trade stuff in, and their no-hassle approach is easy for me. Yes, I could get more $ selling privately but the way many would-be buyers behave in personal deals is a huge turn-off for me. I don't expect expertise -GC is a retail chain after all- so all I need most of the time is help at the register. When I have trades, I deal with certain go-to individuals who know my name and that I'm a serious customer when I call or show up.

I hope GC survives. I hope my friends are still there when covid is over. But I doubt it, most GC staff is young and won't have the financial resources to handle being out of work or have cut hours (my local stores were closed for a while and then only did curb-side sales after that. They are all open now but have limited stock). I was young and poor once, so I can relate. Best of luck to them, they need it. We all need it.

Should be criminal.   Allowed to continue as a black hole, sucking up all the air any medium to small sized competitor might have.  They'll just do it again.  

Those same companies that cut off mom and pops last decade for not pre-ordering enough volume.....

I know one thing, my friends that own Tone Shop Guitars in Addsion (North Dallas) TX are slaying it right now. Their business is way up.

It's nice to be able to get something locally at retail.  Usually a cable I can't do without and don't want to wait for. I did impulse buy a Dean 4 string acoustic bass for $200 and a Gefell UM71 from Guitar Center, just because they were there in front of me.

Except still tons of Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, EV, QSC and other major brands. Not sure where you're getting your facts, but GC is still a major buyer for the top MI companies and will remain that way. Dunlop is still selling to them across all their pedal lines.

Hopefully, Fender and other companies realize that mom & pops don't need to take the full line of amps, pedals, etc. to carry the good guitars. It is more to manage, but you're also not keeping all your retail distribution eggs in one basket...