"Ewww that smell.. can't you smell that smell.." - Anonymous employee Guitar Center Employee Review

1.0
Jul 23, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Big data and experience with multiple systems to learn. Employees are bright (yet stifled).

Cons

Stuffy and unhappy working environment. "Supervisorment by fear", "hit the button when told", the polar opposite of "The Nordstrom Way" business style . Many better organizations to work for, especially in the current macro-environment. A perceptive walk through the office of employees will reveal a lot (that look of defeat- earbuds in entire shift- don't bug me). GC is like a shiny polished car with a rusted through frame running on diluted low octane fumes. That Debt! Those Reviews!

Explore other reviews about Guitar Center

5.0
Jan 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Got to work with so many people

Cons

Long hours during holidays were rough

1.0
Jun 29, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Employee discounts are the biggest reason why people work here, as the discount is really good.

Cons

Your experience working at Guitar Center will largely depend on which store you work at. Some stores have a good management team and employees and are fun to work at. But a lot of stores do not have a qualified management team and they have a staff that is not fun to work with. My location needed a new store manager and instead of promoting the ops manager who knew the store better than anyone else and was with the company for 15+ years working at multiple locations, corporate instead promoted a customer service lead who had been with the company less than 2 years and didn't have management experience. These are the people that corporate decides so often to run their stores.

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