Guitar Center, Lakeland FL

Came in trying to spend money. Just kept getting ignored. Guy told me he would look for a case. His buddy buying some strings was more important. Someone else came by and asked if she could help me, told her what I was needing and she completely disappeared. No exaggeration, after 20 minutes I just interjected while this kid and his buddy were chatting and asked him if he was going to find the case. Told me that guitar didn't come with one. I dunno, tell me that at first, and secondly, it's a guitar center, you telling me there isn't generic soft cases? Really, you expect to carry it out the door like that? So I went to Sam Ash and was treated like an adult and bought a Paul reed Smith. With a case too. How crazy

I'm guessing the recent money problems and covid are to blame but they had next to no guitars in stock. I'll give it some time and try going back.

Was told to leave because I can not wear a mask. I have a medical condition that prevents me form being able to wear a mask. I informed the guy with long hair of this. And he didn't care. It was my first time going into that store and drove from plant city to do so because this store was caring of people and understanding. This store is not. I was in there to buy with cash a guitar and case with stand and an electric piano with stand. Came to buy not bs cash in hand and was treated so disrespectful. Will never return to this store and will never recommend them to anyone. This store discriminates against people with lung and heart conditions. They violated my rights and did it with a smile and a smug tone.

Guitar center on the whole is a great shop! This one in particular always seems to be under staffed though, or registers not working, or both. I've shopped here on four separate occasions over the past year or so and the wait for a cashier has been 20 minutes or more almost every time.

Take the negative reviews of this store with a grain of salt.
These reviews are from the same miserable people who have something to complain about everywhere that they visit.
I have visited this location on multiple occasions and it has been perfectly pleasant each and every time.
The staff is extremely welcoming and really makes an effort to go above and beyond where they are able.
It's quite amazing to see that these employees are still able to keep such high spirits even while being beaten down and berated by blatantly miserable customers who clearly come looking for a fight and will never be satisfied.

A much deserved thank you to the crew at GC Lakeland!

Hello,

I wanted to let you know that the store manager, Chloe, went above and beyond for me and my daughter. My daughter was accepted to the same performing arts school that Chloe attended. She knew exactly what we needed for my daughters classes. Unfortunately the store didn’t have anything used, and being a single mom it was going to be hard for me to buy a $900 guitar with only a month to save for the guitar. Chloe had a guitar on layaway for herself that was a used version of what we needed. This was going to be her guitar, and she said they almost never get this kind of guitar used, and she said she’d never seen one in black before. (It is not an electric guitar, but a special kind of acoustic guitar).
Well, my daughter freaked because black is her favorite color. When Chloe saw the look on my daughters face when she showed her the black one she had in layaway for herself, she said go ahead and take this guitar. She gave up her guitar for my daughter. I’ve never seen my daughter happier. As a parent I can’t tell you what that means to me.
On another note, both my other kids take lessons and classes for multiple instruments. Chloe knew everything about each of the instruments in the store,
because I’m sure we drove her crazy with all our questions. However she was very patient with us and answered everything. She never made us feel like we were a bother to her.
Even though guitar center can be more expensive than other music stores, I will only shop at guitar center as long as Chloe works there. She is truly a gem of an employee! I was a manger for The Ritz-Carlton hotels, and we are paid to go to other hotels and businesses and teach them our way of customer service. Having won several awards for customer service ourselves. So, I know what above and beyond customer service is, and Chloe consistently delivered above and beyond customer service. Thank you so much!
Andrea & Emerald Hawkins

I have been coming to this Guitar Center since I was 12 years old was denied service for the first time in over 21 years after I clearly stated that I have a respiratory breathing condition that makes me unable to restrict my breathing with any type of mask. The state of Florida has opened to full capacity and the Governor of Florida strictly said that the stores had to provide written proof as to why they have to keep regulations that deny paying customers like myself full-service! I was ready to buy 2 new guitars and for my son. I am highly disappointed and insulted and will never purchase or recommend this place to anyone ever again. The customer service representatives were highly unethical and poorly trained as to even comprehend how illogical and insensitive they truly were.

To say this guitar center is “great”, is an understatement. My experience at this particular Guitar Center has been the most heart-warming, the most welcoming, and the most phenomenal imaginable experience. Every time I walk through those doors at Lakeland Guitar Center, I feel so happy and filled with excitement to find my next guitar with the people who have stood by me since the beginning when I started guitar. The entire staff at Lakeland Guitar Center EXCEEDS my expectations as a customer. When I first went to the Lakeland Guitar Center, I was welcomed with kindness, and a thorough amount of knowledge to help me decide on my first guitar. Each time I come in, I know it’s a memory I will never forget. I owe it to ALL of the staff at the Lakeland Guitar Center. Prime examples of amazing human beings (The workers at guitar center) includes and is definitely not limited to. V, Chris, Elena, Trevor, Aidan, Josh, and everyone who works there! As long as I live, I will cherish each and every time I go to that Guitar Center. If you want an experience you will never forget, come here!

Even though you have to wear a mask to enter, the staff is very friendly and respectful with it. And you can even see the friendly was in their eyes

Extremely disappointed. If I can leave zero stars I would. I’ve been a guitar center customer since 1980 and have never experienced anything like this in almost 40 years.

Today I went to sell some gear and purchase a new amp which they told me was stock when I called 30 minutes before I arrived. The gentleman at the counter had me there for over one hour and was taking phone calls and helping other customers while I sat patiently waiting to complete my transaction.

After I finally shared my frustration with the young man and asked him to complete my transaction before he assisted anyone else he said the amp I wanted was out of stock and wanted to sell me the floor model.

No deal, I wanted a new amp so I asked to get paid so I can leave.

He once again walked away without notice to open the door for other costumes while I waited to get paid.

Never once did he hand me of to another store employee to finish the transaction.

After being there for over an hour a young lady finally paid me and I was on my way. I will never go back to guitar center ever again. Plenty other options online.

Completely unprofessional and a waste of my time.

This Guitar Center is by far the most customer friendly guitar store I’ve ever been too! Chris got me the guitar that I wanted while Amanda worked so hard on getting me at the price I needed to be at! Great customer service! I will never buy another guitar without checking here first! Thank you Amanda!

I have spent a lot of money at this this store. Today i go in to buy a $500 keyboard and was told i was not allowed in the store without a mask. Never again will i ever go to any Guitar center store. I went to Carltons who were more than happy to take my money. These guys need to learn some facts, the only place i have been to so far that has this ridiculous requirement.

Anything that you need for your instrument you will find it at guitar center they will treat you in a professional way.

Great Store, Real friendly Staff!
Very knowledgeable about equipment and Instruments.
Bought a Marshall Amp there and I am very Happy with My purchase.
It was a pleasure doing business with GC

I just gotta say that this store is great! The staff is amazing! We did not have a good experience at the Tampa location so went to the Lakeland location and they were awesome! We have been back several times now. Our 10 year old son plays the guitar and drums and enjoys coming here just about every weekend now to hang out and try out new instruments. He actually begs us to come. We have now gotten to know some of the employees, everyone is so nice. Jerry the manager was a huge help, gave great information and was just super nice! The employees actually hang out and jam with our son and give him pointers, which you dont get just anywhere.if your looking for a place to buy an new instrument, take lessons, need information or just want to try out new instruments, this is your place!

Good variety of products and instruments very knowledgeable staff. Just wish the prices were a little more reasonable. Other than that this is a great place.

I was so impressed with the customer service here! Josh took the time to answer all questions and make us feel welcome, and their inventory was excellent too. Highly recommend.

Just purchased a Taylor 814ce dlx from Jerry at the Lakeland Guitar Center store - excellent service and no pressure experience which was exactly what I needed to make the proper guitar selection. Jerry even gave me his personal tool to remove the string pins so I could change the strings tonight. It’s great working with people who are knowledgeable and genuinely love music.