Being an OC native currently relocated in Galloway, I had heard great things and visited Grassroots a few times in the past, however, it would be a injustice to all musicians for me to not share the experience I had today with them.
So I will start out by saying that it is my fault that I didn't go to Grassroots in the first place. I was just too lazy to drive to OC. Bad choice. I arrive at Guitar Center and assume it would be a ten minute process to buy the specific ukulele since I knew what I wanted. Nope, the manager himself spent a 25 minute period literally scanning items that I specifically said I did not want and acting as if they were "just throwing it in there." I sat there during their dumb attempt at making it look like they saved me a ton of money, even though they tried to upsell me with literally a $100 worth of junk. I did not feel like dealing with the confrontation, and when I looked at my receipt to see items I said I did not want being charged, I simply walked out in anger deciding to deal with it later.
This brings me to my Grassroots experience, which literally could not have been better if they gave me the ukulele for free. I called and they told me they would be able to match or beat any price for the uke. When I walked in today the whole staff had already been aware that I was coming in and immediately gave me a knowledgeable, simplified explanation perfect for my lack of musical inclination. They worked with me on a price $10 cheaper and of better quality than the Guitar Center ukulele. They even threw in the items that I had been tricked into paying for at Guitar Center for free, SAVING ME OVER $80 in one simple, friendly, ten minute trip. They even gave me a pep talk to deal with Guitar Center's notoriously obnoxious returns system!
I would never give Guitar Center another penny of my money again. Save money while supporting an AMAZING OC local business!
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