Pros
Compensation based on performance. This job will not pay you well for being a music enthusiast and cool person. It pays for performance, either in sales and customer service or executing operations needs. Third party review to insure competitive base rate pay for associates. A growing company. For the past several years Guitar Center has been opening new locations, and expanding its services, including instruction, rentals, and band and orchestra equipment. This means more positions, more available promotions every year, and more kinds of jobs. Interesting and fun work environment with boutique merchandise, customers and other employees with the same interests. Industry leader. With the biggest, most successful company in musical instrument sales, you are working with the best. They will train you throughout your career on how to organize and serve your clients, and close deals. Outstanding discounts for employees on musical equipment. Benefits including group health insurance, paid vacation time, and retirement planning.
Cons
Commission based compensation is not stable enough for some employees. This is a job that requires talent and skill in sales and often as a musician as well. Hard work is necessary, but some people are good at sales, some are not. Currently no profit sharing or company match to 401(k). Promotion may require willingness to relocate. Currently owned by parent company Bain Capital. Although Guitar Center's finances are rated as stable and every store in the chain is profitable, it does not have the highest financial rating available and some question it's ability to pay it's debt to Bain Capital and go public again.
