The Horse gets 90% off on his first employee purchase at Guitar Center! Cha-ching!

@TheHorse (218149)
Walnut Creek, California
April 11, 2021 12:31pm CST
As I've mentioned in previous post (I think), I've been trying to find an adaptor that would allow me to use my vintage headphones (1/4" male jack) with my computer (3.5 mm female input). I found one for only 49 cents on the Parts Express (stereo gear) website/phone line, but the (live) "dude" said, "Dude, shipping is $6.00 on a 49 cent item. Just go to Walmart or Fry's Electronics." I made a note of his honesty and vowed to shop there again. But I couldn't find the little buggers anywhere except...Guitar Center! For $5.99. "What a rip-off," I thought, but decided to buy one anyway. "Maybe with my employee discount, it will be only $4.99. I don't give a darn." On this particular item, the cost was 65 cents, including tax. I asked my Guitar Center supervisor how the employee discount works. 90% is pretty cool. She told me that the algorithm is unknown, and comes from Corporate. I don't think she used the word "algorithm." I need a Shure SM-58 microphone so I can do vocals at gigs without borrowing a friend's microphone. The regular discount price is $99.00. Any guesses as to how much that will cost with the employee discount? It WON'T be at a 90% discount, that's for sure (pun not intended). My guess is 15% off, or $85.00 plus tax.
14 people like this
13 responses
@porwest (89669)
• United States
11 Apr 21
Enjoy the discounts, whatever they happen to be. Just try not to spend more than you make. lol. That store can be trouble for me.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100153)
• India
11 Apr 21
I wonder how they know whether Pony is purchasing for self or for any of his friends.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr 21
Yep. We're kids in a candy shop. Leave your credit card at home!
3 people like this
@porwest (89669)
• United States
11 Apr 21
@vandana7 Not sure. Might not even matter, I guess. When my wife worked at the grocery store pharmacy, we used to get a discount on groceries and there was no way of them knowing if the ham was for us or someone else. lol
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
11 Apr 21
Any discount is good!
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100153)
• India
11 Apr 21
It does mean the margins must be pretty stiff.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr 21
I'll take it. If I got 90% off of everything, I'd buy a bunch of guitars and mandolins. And even a $100 uke for $10. But that's not going to happen.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
11 Apr 21
@TheHorse That’s too bad. Any % off is good.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (179926)
• United States
11 Apr 21
Well that is wonderful!
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr 21
It's funny that the algorithm is a magical mystery tour that nobody understands. Maybe I'll only get $5 off when I buy a Shure mic. Those capitalists can be manipulative. --Hippy Horse
3 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
12 Apr 21
It was great for that staff to be honest with you. Enjoy your employee discount. Good luck in getting the microphone you want.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
12 Apr 21
@TheHorse good for you.
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr 21
Thank you. I'll teach a few more lessons and bank some riches first.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44075)
• Wapello, Iowa
12 Apr 21
So you don't know what the discount is going to be until you buy something?
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr 21
So it seems. Guitar Center Corporate Controls ALL. I have finally found my place in the world as a slave to Big Capitalism.
2 people like this
@xander6464 (44075)
• Wapello, Iowa
12 Apr 21
@TheHorse At least it's comforting to know that someone is in charge.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr 21
@xander6464 I thought my cat was in charge.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (105449)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Apr 21
That was a great discount. You will still save at 15 percent
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr 21
I'll see what happens when I have my boss price the microphone.
1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32305)
• Malaysia
13 Apr 21
Every penny count! Plus you're a great seller. You'll be able to sell more.
@yukimori (10143)
• United States
11 Apr 21
I'd guess closer to 50% off on the microphone's typical price, but that's assuming that 1) the employee discount is similar to the store I used to work for which was item cost + 10% and 2) the pricing on Shure products is similar to the microphone and headphone manufacturers that were more commonly stocked there. Doesn't surprise me that you got that little adapter for that much under the retail price. The markup on those (and cables in general) is really high. Have you gotten the chance to try it out yet? I bet most modern headphones wish they were made as well as your vintage ones!
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr 21
My older Koss headphones and my newer Sennheiser headphones are about equally good. The little widget works fine.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (338949)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Apr 21
I hope you get at least 15% off.
@thelme55 (76851)
• Germany
11 Apr 21
I hope you will get a huge discount. Well, any discount is good.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr 21
I'll take what I can get!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177123)
• United States
12 Apr 21
Cool. I hope you can get the mic for a big discount; but any discount is good.
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
11 Apr 21
well glad you got the adapter. Over the years i think I've bought 20 of those. I have 10 in my drawer now! I would say on higher end hardware you'll get 20%
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218149)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr 21
That would be pretty good!
1 person likes this
@Shalom12 (41)
12 Apr 21
Discounts are always good