Guitar Center is dedicated to ensuring you’re completely satisfied with your purchase. Understanding their exchange policy, which is closely tied to their return policy, is key to a smooth shopping experience. If for any reason you’re not fully happy with your gear, Guitar Center’s 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee aims to make things right. You can return most items in their original condition within a specified period for a full refund of the purchase price, excluding shipping and handling.
Understanding Guitar Center’s Exchange and Return Policy
At the heart of Guitar Center’s customer commitment is a robust return policy designed to provide peace of mind. While they emphasize a “return policy”, the process effectively supports exchanges as well. If you find your purchase isn’t quite right, whether it’s the sound, feel, or features, Guitar Center offers a straightforward path to resolution. The cornerstone of this is their 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. This means you have ample time to evaluate your new equipment in your own environment. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, returning or exchanging it is designed to be hassle-free.
How to Return or Exchange Your Gear
Guitar Center provides two convenient methods for returns and exchanges, catering to different customer needs and purchase scenarios.
In-Store Returns and Exchanges
The most direct and often quickest method is to return or exchange items at any Guitar Center store. Whether you made your purchase online or in-store, you can bring it to a physical location. To facilitate a smooth process, bring along a copy of your order confirmation email if purchased online, or the packing slip that came with your order. Returning in-store offers immediate credit for your return. An added advantage is avoiding return shipping fees and the need for a return authorization code. For the most up-to-date information on store locations and operating hours, you can always check stores.guitarcenter.com before your visit.
Returns by Mail
If visiting a store isn’t feasible, you can return items by mail. This process requires obtaining a Return Authorization (RA) code beforehand. You can request an RA code by contacting Guitar Center’s customer service team at 1-866-498-7882 or by emailing [email protected]. Once you have your RA code, you’ll need to ship the item back to Guitar Center. It’s important to note that return shipping costs might apply, and detailed information on these charges can usually be found on their website or by contacting customer service. After Guitar Center receives your returned item and confirms it meets the return requirements, your refund will be processed promptly. Make sure to include your RA# in the address when shipping your return:
Guitar Center
(Your RA #)
4005 N Norfleet
Kansas City, MO 64161-9231
Key Details: Timeframes and Exceptions
While the 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee covers most products, it’s crucial to be aware of certain limitations and exceptions to the standard return window.
Standard 45-Day Return Window
For the majority of items Guitar Center sells, the standard return period is 45 days from the date of purchase. This generous window allows ample time to test and evaluate your gear.
Shorter Return Windows for Specific Items
Certain product categories have a reduced return window. These include:
- Recording devices, DJ equipment, workstation keyboards, rack signal processors, and lighting/fog machines: These items must be returned within 14 days of purchase.
- Vintage instruments: Due to their unique nature, vintage instruments have a significantly shorter return window of just 3 days.
Non-Returnable Items
It’s also important to be aware of items that are classified as non-returnable. These typically include:
- Clearance items
- Items marked as non-returnable
- Discontinued items
- Apple hardware
- Computers
- Opened software
- Electronic software downloads
- Books
- CDs
- Videos
- Vinyl records
- Turntable cartridges
- Tubes
- In-ear buds, earplugs, and in-ear monitors (for hygiene reasons)
- Fog fluid
- Harmonicas (for hygiene reasons)
- Cleaning products
- Special orders (both custom/special orders and items not regularly stocked)
Fees for Band & Orchestra Returns
Specific fees apply to returns of band and orchestra instruments:
- Woodwind and brass instruments: Incur a $10.00 sanitization fee.
- Bows: Returned bows are subject to a $4.00 restocking fee.
- Mouthpieces: Mouthpieces over $300 have an $8.00 sanitization fee, while those under $300 have a $4.00 fee.
Apple Product Restocking Fee
For opened Apple products, a 10% restocking fee applies to returns. It’s important to note that Apple hardware with manufacturing defects is subject to Apple’s own warranty policy, not Guitar Center’s return policy in these specific cases.
Important Considerations for Returns and Exchanges
To ensure a successful return or exchange, keep these points in mind:
Condition of Returned Items
Returned items must be in their original condition to be eligible for a full refund or exchange. This generally means the item should be free from signs of excessive wear and tear and returned with all original packaging, accessories, and documentation.
Abuse of Return Policy
Guitar Center’s return policy is designed for customer satisfaction but is also intended to prevent abuse. Excessive returns or attempts to return items not in brand-new condition may lead to limitations or suspension of return privileges at Guitar Center’s discretion.
International Returns
For customers making international returns, specific instructions are usually provided on the packing list accompanying the order. If you require further assistance or have questions about international returns, it’s best to contact Guitar Center’s customer service at 1-866-498-7882.
Cash Refund Policy
For purchases made with cash exceeding $250.00, refunds may be issued via check or a Visa Debit Card in certain locations, rather than in cash immediately.
Conclusion
Guitar Center’s exchange and return policy, underpinned by their 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, is designed to prioritize your confidence and satisfaction. By understanding the timeframes, processes, and any exceptions, you can navigate returns and exchanges smoothly, ensuring you end up with the perfect gear for your musical journey. Whether you choose to visit a store or return by mail, Guitar Center aims to make the process as convenient and customer-friendly as possible.
