Why I Buy From Sweetwater Instead of Guitar Center

I am human. Hear me vent. I recently started buying my gear from Sweetwater and in today's video I explain some of the reasons why. It's not about one particular instance, but they've let me down time after time, whereas Sweewater has exceeded my expectations every time I do business with them.

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I've never been paid to do voice acting or narration but I'm learning right now and I thought it would be great if I shared what I learn, as I learn it. Why not follow along and learn together?

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#JoeCrescenzi #HomeStudio #Sweetwater #NewGearDay #VoiceOver #VO #VoiceJunkie #Sweetwatersound

[happyone]

Joe, Sweetwater is the best! I had some issues with Guitar Center, both in store and online so I feel your pain. You have to go to #Gearfest if you get a chance right at Sweetwater, you won't be disappointed!

[matthewbelmont]

I too have abandoned Guitar Center. The only time I ever give them my money is if Sweetwater doesn’t sell what I want.

[mikelaffey]

The only time I go to GC is to try out what I’m going to buy on Sweetwater! 😏😀😂

[AskJoe]

It's still hard to believe a company like Guitar Center actually has a boilerplate email response that essentially puts the blame for delays on the customer for not buying directly from a local store. It's also crazy that instead of apologizing for selling me a used item that was missing instructions, they downplay it by saying the instructions aren't important, and I could probably find them online. I paid for a new product, so I should get everything a new product comes with. Let me decide if the book is important. I paid for it.

[garyarnold]

Nick Huskins is my sales rep also. He does a great job and Sweetwater is a fantastic company to do business with.

[bestplans]

I feel sorry for the employees at Guitar Center. Their sales software is horrible at the register, they have one person running their sound room and one person running their guitar floor and drum room. It's friggin ridiculous! I've never dealt with them online but they make their instore employees handle their online sometimes as well. What a poor business model from their Corporate Headquarters. I've had great sales reps in person but whoever is running the company is ruining them!

I placed my first order with Sweetwater this past weekend but had to cancel it today. However, my sales engineer at Sweetwater (Rich) made it easy, and I still wound up placing another order with them. His Customer Service skills were excellent! When I placed my original order he not only sent me an e-mail but also called me to make sure I was satisfied with my order.
Sweetwater absolutely wowed me as an online customer and has since won ALL of my future business!

You're absolutely right Joe!

[bnkrazie]

I bought a guitar a week ago and it was a supposed to arrive yesterday by FedEx. They delivered it to someone else and I was furious as it cost over $2000. I contacted FedEx and received a case number then I emailed Blake from Sweetwater with everything. It was after business hours so Blake was on it when he started work today. I received a reply email and text at 6am PST (9am EST). It's out of delivery again today and awaiting for the arrival. So far A+ for Sweetwater and F for FedEx. I also have an order for a PRS 35th Anniversary Custom 24 and we changed my shipping from FedEx to UPS overnight with direct signature. I only had to pay half the cost for the upgraded shipping. Again, A+ from Sweetwater.

[JimothyRoss]

I know with the whole pandemic thing, shipping times may be inconsistent. But 20 days?


That was my email to Guitar Center when trying to order a new Audio Interface online. I cancelled that order and resorted to Sweetwater, and they emailed me saying that shipping would take a day, and address arrival probably 3 with free shipping. I ordered it yesterday, and the website tracking already says it'll be here tomorrow. They seriously just go above and beyond with their service, can't recommend enough.

[EngineerCatPyro]

guitar center sucks, . Even though there are like 4 within 20 mins of me, I buy from Sweetwater and rather wait for it to be delivered even for simple stuff like strings.

[dgpfxiz]

Sweetwaters financing program is truly amazing don’t know if any other place that has the payment plans they do for top not gear you just can’t beat them

[belthezaire]

I'm a little late to this party, but I feel like it's worth the comment. I live near a GC, and I much rather use Sweetwater for my purchases. They are literally states away from me, but the whole experience with them -- particularly their customer service -- is undeniably top notch. No question has been too inane (and I'm a guitar noob, so I've asked some real doozies), and I always get a response in short order. Shipping is fast. Orders are never messed up. All around great.

[mattnelson]

You're absolutely right about Sweetwater. They are the pinnacle of customer service along with shipping time, Greg Titzer is my rep.
I just ordered on Sat a new American Strat 11 Dark Night & a Les Paul Slash Anaconda Burst. They packed and shipped same day, I will get them tomorrow Tues. Essentially, a 2 day shipping window. I had many questions and spent a lot of time on the phone with Greg, his knowledge and professionalism is off the charts. Sweetwater is the best of the best. I also bought a PRS DW Waring Burst last year with an amazing customer service experience.

[derweasel]

I LOVE Sweetwater! Planning a field trip to see their facility -- it's like Disney World for musicians. Also, their employees have some pretty intense training. I have had nothing but joy from them. This is a place where I am happy to give my e-mail address to -- want everything and anything they have to send to me electronically or by snail mail.

[Runner]

I ordered Pedals off Musicians Friend.
The Reflecting Pool was on backorder.
No one notified me.
They’re pulling boxes out of stores in Texas.
I went to Sweetwater for my new Strat.
Saw that 55-point inspection they do and I was sold.
They even sent me pics of my actual guitar by email.
Sweetwater has my business.

[pifoster]

I love to support local when I can for music needs but they don’t often have the brands I am looking for. I love working with sweetwater and their YouTube videos are very helpful too.

[metalguitarist]

Sweetwater is the best! Never had any issues with them, also they give you candy when order stuff from them🤘🏽

[dennisapplegate]

A great company to do business with Paul Allen's my rep . Never have I had such great personal service with the depth of knowledge like Paul has given for over 10 years . Their staff truly care and are the most responsive company as far as listening to customers to be better at what they do.

[LightningNNjA]

SWEETWATER is the BEST, I only do business with them, I don’t even buy picks and strings from anyone else!

[tomsensale]

I’ll go to guitar center just to try things, like to hear how a certain amp or guitar sounds or feels. But always purchase from Sweetwater

[GalaxyNexus]

Joe Crescenzi I enjoyed this video very much. I wasn't familiar with Sweetwater before a couple days ago but still didn't know much about them. I'm glad you found somewhere that could give you excellent customer service and thanks to you, I definitely will look closely at them as I'm planning to purchase a good amount of audio equipment soon. Thanks for the info!