Pros
There is a lot to learn. I worked there for 5 years and was certified in every department. No matter how much you think you know, you'll be amazed at what you can learn. The store atmosphere for the most part is a very laid back musician friendly environment. Great place to work for those in a band or in the industry. Employee discounts are great for getting the gear you need and employees can take up to 6 months a year of "gig leave" to tour and still have a job when they get back.
Cons
Very low pay (just above minimum wage) with an extremely poor commission structure. Not the place to work if you want to make good money. The current C.E.O. said it best himself when he said, "If they wanted to make money, they should have been doctors!". The current C.E.O. is destroying G.C. from the inside. When Gene Jolly, the long-time CEO stepped down, a new CEO came in and really started to make great changes in favor of employees. Pay is so bad that some stores have gone union to try to survive. Before the fired changes could be made, the current CEO was brought in and immediately fired the CEO and his entire staff. Shortly, throughout the country, numerous veterans were thrown out of the door. If you don't already have a headache from an awful corporate dictatorship, get used to some of the loudest, most awful noises ever created by man. And that will be normal. You are sure to get over-worked and under-paid for all holidays (typical retail). This job is certainly not for the career minded. I enjoyed over 5 years there only because my spouse makes a great living. My band is much better because of the great gear we have been fortunate to acquire as an employee. Even as a long time assistant manager I never made any money (at or below $25K/yr). A lot of work and hours for so little pay. In the end, you are only your employee number. Nothing more. Everyone is dispensable and due to very poor upper management, you will never be safe! I learned a ton in 5 years and will always be grateful for that. I have become a better musician for it. But I finally realized that it was time to grow up and get a real job that pays very well. Getting pushed out of G.C. was the best thing that has ever happened to me and my family.