What to do with $800 Gift Cert. to Guitar Center?

[ryman150]

So I went on a trip this past weekend with a friend of mine to CT. He entered in to a jingle contest, and we ended up winning. I came home with an $800 gift certificate to Guitar Center... which is awesome! I need some new mics and other things. The thing is, I think I'd rather buy used gear or search around for some things that they don't really have at Guitar Center. How do I turn that $800 gift certificate into some cash (without losing too much).

I was thinking A) buy a brand new piece of gear and then sell it with the receipt... or B) split the gift card into like 8 or so smaller gift cards and try to sell them...?? Not sure.

Anybody making any big purchases at guitar center any time soon??
:D

[tom]

stand outside in a trenchcoat...

[Casper]

I actually was going to buy an older used Cobra at GC in MD a few weeks ago (thank God I didn't). They wanted WAY too much for the guitar and wouldn't budge even after I offered cash. They have used Andys scattered throughout the chain that you can see online and even have them transferred..I don't know what your particular deal would be, but ...cool way to blow 800..
I DID get a good deal on a used amp there once..?

[dannopelli]

Hey Ryan,

GC sometimes runs close outs, especially on Mics. In fact I got one that I am pretty sure you recommeded to me a while back. They also have an outlet and I believe an Ebay store.

Pretty likely you are all set on guitars and amps and such. We've all drooled
over the pics of your stage rig.

So maybe you use GC like a lot of us do, for incidentals like strings, winders, and other last minute stuff. I am sure you know how fast that can add up. Or maybe software or a midi controller? Or even gifts? I think they might sell iPods there.

Anyway, that is my $.02.

[Pietro]

How did YOU end up with the Gift Cert? Did he get one AND you got one? I need more creative friends!

[Ray K.]

My visiting a GC is pretty rare to say the least. But, I did wind up in one recently. The Egnater Rebel 20 head and matching cabinet sure were tempting!

Ray K.

p.s. Even if you're not interested, a random act of kindness would be greatly appreciated! I can PM my address... :D

[enr1co]

B) split the gift card into like 8 or so smaller gift cards and try to sell them...?? Not sure.

Anybody making any big purchases at guitar center any time soon??
:D

ey Ryan, splitting it into smaller gift cards is a good idea. If you divided them in to 16 x $50 cards, ie. the smaller amount would be easier to sell off.

You could sell them at face value or market them at 10% or $5.00 off as an incentive. Most folks here would likely find a $50 card more affordable and handy for accesories like strings, straps or re-gifting etc. as dano suggested.

[djphaneuf]

In San Diego, I would either use it myself or sell it on Craigslist at a discount. Would probably find someone at $700-750 depending on how quickly you are trying to get cash.

Second thought, my son would find a way to get his hands on it:)

[FFOGG]

that is going to be a difficult situation I have been sitting on $300 in Gift Certs to GC and not found anything I want and your set up is so much better than mine but subscribe to GC RSS smokin deal of the weeks sometimes they have really nice things for very reasonable prices http://feeds2.feedburner.com/weeklydeals

[Shannon]

Option A is a bad idea...
Once you buy it... NEW or not... receipt or not... it's a USED piece of equipment, so you're gonna take a significant hit on it in order for anyone to have any incentive to buy it from you rather than finding it on EBAY or just going to GC and buying it themselves.

Option b is a BETTER idea, but whoever said you could sell them at face value is, with all due respect, delusional.

Why would I (or anyone) give you $50 cash for a $50 gift card? That's poor logic and you're going to have to find 16 suckers for that to happen..

NOW, if you do discount them, 10% AT LEAST, you might get some bites on craigslist or ebay... it might be worth a try... but it's gonna take a good chunk of time to sell them... ESPECIALLY in Nashville... I spent 10 years there and RARELY shopped at any of the big music stores... Remember MARS? That place was a ghost town most of the time... seems pro and semi-pro musicians just know better. (which is why YOU have no intention of spending that gift card anytime soon;) )

IF you want QUICK cash... sell the card for a fairly significant discount to someone who actually likes to shop there for guitars or amps (probably not anyone here with our "discriminating" tastes :p ) and move on quickly.

It's a win-win... You get some quick cash that you didn't have before... and they get a little "buffer" from the ridiculous mark up that they're gonna be paying at GC...

FWIW... that's my $.02 (well, $.01 in this economy)

[enr1co]

but whoever said you could sell them at face value is, with all due respect, delusional.

Why would I (or anyone) give you $50 cash for a $50 gift card? That's poor logic and you're going to have to find 16 suckers for that to happen..


Delusional is not a respectful term no matter how you preface it.

The comment was made based on the optimism and confidence Ive felt and experienced with the brethren of this forum to help a fellow member out.

[Shannon]

Sorry, but I was just being honest... And I bet you'll be hard pressed to find someone who disagrees with the fact that selling a gift card (that you just told everyone you won FOR FREE) at face value is a ridiculous thing to consider.

Unless you didn't really THINK that he could sell them at face value...

And then you were just being dishonest to make a "friend" feel better...

But if that were the case, then I'm not sure that's truly "respectful" either.


I'm just saying.

[dannopelli]

Hey guys.

Blogs, social sites, forums, and especially email, often fail to convey the context/emotion/point of view, meant by the author when initially written. And playful sarcasm almost never conveys. I know very few people who use the internet as a communication vehicle that have not fallen prey to the misplaced word or phrase, only to regret it later. I am sure Shannon wanted to be honest, and meant no disrespect.

With all due respect, I also agree that the word choice used does come across a bit harsh. Using a phrase like, "it's probably not likely you'll get face value" reads a bit more easily than the wording chosen. I do agree that it is unlikely to sell a gift card of that amount for face value. But we do try to keep things a bit civil here at the AndersonForum.com.

Anyway, let's change the subject and remember the words of Roy (Maybe):


HAPPY PLAYING!!!!

[Shannon]

Danno, I agree...

Someone who knows me would have known that while I was being completely "honest" in my initial response, I also always tend to have a little "sarcasm" and a lot of "playfulness" in my voice:p

Like I said... "all due respect." That means that I can say ANYTHING I WANT without being disrespectful... :D ( I heard a comedian to a bit on that once and I was kinda referring to that... BUT obviously, nobody picked up on that)

Anyway, Ryan... If you want FAST CASH for it... PM or email me... I'll make you an offer you can't refuse. (I just happen to be looking at something on Musicians Friend.com right now and I assume that they honor Guitar Center gift cars since they're the same company... (can anybody verify that for me?)

[dannopelli]

... and I assume that they honor Guitar Center gift cars since they're the same company... (can anybody verify that for me?)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_Center

I think they are the same co.

[Shannon]

Sweet... Thanks.

I guess I need to give em a ring to be sure that I can use the gift card online...
I wonder... Is there like a NUMBER on the card that I can punch in online?

What are the Odds that Ryan will see this before it's too late?
MF has the spring break special going on today... an extra 15% off and that has motivated me to look into the Ground Control Pro for my Eleven rack...

[tom]

he's on the road a lot, so i wouldn't count on a rush answer.

[Shannon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_Center

I think they are the same co.


Yeah, I know... He's pretty much living the sweet life... And he's just a kid to boot!

Which is why maybe HE should be the one "helping a brotha out" instead of the other way around...:D

I'm just sayin...;)

Hey Ryan, I work for a non-profit... You can donate it and write it off on your taxes!:D

[tom]

you need some violin music to go with your story.

[enr1co]

Anyway, let's change the subject and remember the words of Roy (Maybe):


HAPPY PLAYING!!!!

Hey Dano, Thanks for being "Geneva" and the reminder that life is too short to deal with negativity.

[Shannon]

you need some violin music to go with your story.

Good idea...

If Ryan donates that gift card, I'll buy some!;)