Dealing with returns at big box stores can sometimes be a hassle, but my experience at Guitar Center was beyond frustrating. I went in to return an Apollo Twin DUO, armed with proof that they had made a mistake. Despite this, Guitar Center put me through the wringer.
It turned into an hour-long argument just to return the Apollo Twin DUO. I even had to get Universal Audio (UAD) support on the phone while standing in the store to prove my point. Eventually, after involving the store manager and a lot of unnecessary stress, they finally processed the return. Perhaps the only reason they relented was because I was also purchasing an Apollo Twin QUAD at the same time!
The whole ordeal left such a bad taste that I decided to take my business elsewhere. And that’s how I discovered Front End Audio. What a completely different experience! Front End Audio offers incredible customer service, fast, free delivery, and transparent pricing with no hidden taxes. When they had a minor issue with my order, they were quick to apologize and even gave me a significant discount without me even asking.
It also struck me how strangely misinformed the Guitar Center staff were about UAD products. Multiple employees tried to steer me away from buying an Apollo, demonstrating a clear lack of knowledge about the product line. They couldn’t differentiate between the DUO and QUAD, mistakenly thinking “TWIN” meant it was a DUO, even when surrounded by QUAD boxes on display!
Because of this negative experience, Guitar Center has lost me as a customer for good. For anyone looking for a better alternative with knowledgeable staff and excellent service, I highly recommend Front End Audio. You can find them here: https://www.frontendaudio.com/
