Guitar Center's Price Match Policy
Guitar Center does match prices, but only under specific conditions. They will match the advertised price of a competitor if you bring proof of that price to the store or show it to them online. The match applies to items in stock at your local Guitar Center location. You cannot use price matching to order something that Guitar Center does not currently have available.
The policy covers most major retailers — both brick-and-mortar stores and online sellers. However, Guitar Center excludes certain sellers from their price match may provide. Marketplace sellers on Amazon, eBay, and Reverb do not may have access to, even if those platforms host them. This matters because used and vintage gear often sells through these channels at prices lower than new-in-box inventory.
Price matching is not automatic. You have to request it at the register or contact the store before you buy. If you purchase an item at full price and then find it cheaper elsewhere, Guitar Center will not retroactively adjust what you paid. The match must happen at the point of sale.
Key Takeaways
- Guitar Center will match advertised prices from competitors if you show proof before you pay, but the item must be in stock at your location.
- Marketplace sellers on Amazon, eBay, and Reverb are excluded from the price match policy, even if they sell the same brand-new item.
- You must request the price match at the register or contact the store in advance — it does not happen automatically after purchase.
- Online retailers like Sweetwater, Thomann, and B&H Photo are typically may be able to access for price matching, but you need to show the current advertised price.
- Some items — clearance stock, open-box returns, and floor models — may not be may be able to access for price matching depending on store policy.
What Counts as Proof of a Lower Price
You can show a printed page, a screenshot on your phone, or pull up the competitor's website in the store. Guitar Center staff will look at the price, the item description, and the seller to confirm it matches what you want to buy. The price must be for the exact same model and condition — a used version of a guitar does not match the price of a new one, and a different color variant may not count either.
If you are price matching an online retailer, the price shown must be the final price the customer pays, including shipping. Some sites advertise a low base price but charge significant shipping fees. Guitar Center will factor in the total cost to the customer, not just the sticker price on the product page.
Retailers That may have access to for Price Matching
Guitar Center matches prices from other music retailers like Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, Thomann, B&H Photo, and Sam Ash. They also match prices from general electronics retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart when those stores sell musical instruments. Local music shops in your area typically may have access to as well.
The list of may be able to access retailers can change, and individual store managers have some discretion in borderline cases. If you are unsure whether a specific seller qualifies, call your local Guitar Center before you go in. This saves you a trip and gives the staff time to verify the price while you are on the phone.
Sellers and Situations That Do Not may have access to
Marketplace listings on Amazon, eBay, and Reverb are the most common exclusions. Even if a third-party seller on Amazon is selling a brand-new, sealed item at a lower price than Guitar Center, that price does not trigger a match. This policy protects Guitar Center from having to compete with individual sellers who may have lower overhead or are clearing inventory at a loss.
Clearance items, open-box returns, and floor models also fall outside the price match may provide in most cases. If an item is already marked down at Guitar Center because it is being cleared out, the store will not match a competitor's regular price for the same item. Used or refurbished gear typically does not may have access to either, since the condition affects the value.
Auction sites, liquidation sales, and going-out-of-business sales are usually excluded. If a retailer is closing and selling everything at 50 percent off, Guitar Center will not match those fire-sale prices. The policy is designed to match everyday competitor pricing, not one-time clearance events.
How to Request a Price Match in Store
Bring your proof — a phone screenshot, printed page, or the competitor's website open on your device — to the register before the cashier rings up your purchase. Tell them you want to price match and show them the competitor's price. The staff member will verify the price, confirm the item is the same, and check that the seller qualifies under the policy.
If everything checks out, the cashier will adjust the price at the register and you pay the lower amount. The whole process usually takes a few minutes. If the staff member is unsure whether the seller qualifies, they may call a manager or contact the competitor to verify the price is real and current.
Price Matching Online and Over the Phone
You can also request a price match when you order from Guitar Center's website. Contact their customer service through the website chat or call the store directly. Have your competitor's price and product link ready. Online orders may take longer to process the price match because staff need to verify the information before they confirm your order.
If you call a Guitar Center location, ask to speak with a manager or the customer service desk. They can check the competitor's price while you are on the phone and tell you whether they will match it. Some stores will hold an item at the matched price for a short time if you agree to pick it up in person.
When Price Matching Does Not Save You Money
Price matching is useful when the difference is significant — say, $20 or more on a $200 amplifier. For small differences of a few dollars, the time spent finding proof and requesting the match may not be worth it. You also need to factor in whether you value shopping in person at Guitar Center versus ordering online and waiting for shipping.
Guitar Center often runs sales and promotions that can beat competitor prices without needing a price match. Sign up for their email list or check their website for current deals. During major sales events like Black Friday or back-to-school season, their advertised prices may already be competitive, so you may not need to hunt for a lower price elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I price match if I already bought the item yesterday?
No. Price matching only works at the point of sale, before you pay. If you bought something yesterday and found it cheaper today, Guitar Center will not adjust your purchase. Some retailers have return windows where you can return an item and repurchase it at a lower price, but that is not the same as price matching.
Does Guitar Center price match used or refurbished gear?
Used and refurbished items are typically excluded from price matching because the condition affects the value. If you are comparing two used items in the same condition from different sellers, call the store and ask — a manager may have discretion in that situation. New items always may have access to if the seller is may be able to access.
What if the competitor is out of stock but shows a price?
Guitar Center usually requires the item to be in stock at the competitor or available for when ready order. If a competitor shows a price but the item is backordered or out of stock, the store may not match it. Ask the staff member to verify — some managers will match a price for an item that is temporarily out of stock but available for pre-order.
Can I use a coupon code from another retailer at Guitar Center?
No. Price matching covers the advertised price of an item, not discount codes or coupons from other stores. If a competitor is offering 10 percent off with a code, Guitar Center will match the final price after that discount is applied, but you cannot bring the code itself to Guitar Center.
Does Guitar Center price match their own sales from previous weeks?
No. Price matching is for competitor prices, not Guitar Center's own past prices. If an item was cheaper last week at Guitar Center and is now full price, you cannot use last week's price as leverage. However, if you see the same item cheaper at another retailer right now, you can use that current price for a match.