Guitar Center vs Sam Ash: Employee Rivalry Truths Revealed

content: Unveiling the Music Store Rivalry

When I visited both Guitar Center and Sam Ash stores to ask employees about their "rivals," I expected fireworks. What I discovered instead was a mirror of criticisms. Employees from both chains echoed identical complaints about each other's customer service and sales tactics. This mutual skepticism reveals deeper truths about music retail culture.

The Identical Criticisms

Sam Ash employees described Guitar Center as feeling "corporate like Staples," with staff who "just hand you a guitar saying 'I don't know.'" Guitar Center staff had previously claimed Sam Ash had declining "in-store presence" and "customer service isn't prominent." Both sides accused the other of knowledge gaps and overly aggressive upselling - especially on accessories.

Commission Culture's Impact

The root cause? Commission structures. As one Sam Ash employee admitted: "The way you get commission is trying to upsell products." This explains why a $15 guitar stand became a hard sell. However, perspectives varied by individual: "Some people will try to upsell you, some people won't - just like at Guitar Center."

content: Store Culture Showdown

Beyond sales tactics, a stark contrast emerged in perceived environments. Multiple Sam Ash staff and customers described their locations as "family-like" and welcoming. One long-time customer shared: "I'm team Sam Ash all the way... it feels like a big family." Conversely, Guitar Center was repeatedly labeled impersonal and corporate.

Location-Specific Tensions

Notably, the Manhattan Carle Place locations have a "long-standing rivalry" according to employees. This hyper-local tension likely amplified criticisms. When corporate Sam Ash commented "To each their own" on my initial video, it further highlighted the divide between headquarters and frontline staff experiences.

content: Key Takeaways for Shoppers

Based on employee confessions and my observations, here's how to navigate these stores:

Actionable Shopping Strategies

1. Question upsells - Ask "Is this necessary?" when staff push premium accessories
2. Seek seasoned staff - Veteran employees often provide deeper product knowledge
3. Compare locations - Store culture varies dramatically between neighborhoods
4. Check Reverb first - Both employees admitted using this marketplace for deals

Why This Rivalry Matters

The sameness of criticisms suggests systemic industry issues beyond brand rivalry. Commission pressures create similar behaviors at both chains. As one employee wisely noted: "Guitar Center does what they got to do. We do what we got to do. It's business."

Final thought: Your experience depends more on individual staff and local store culture than the corporate brand. Which store's team made you feel genuinely heard? Share your experiences below!