I wanted it to be my Empire Records, it turned out to be justs another corporate nightmare... - Operations Manager Guitar Center Employee Review

3.0
1 Sept 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Ability to meet and network with people in the local (and sometimes national) music scene. - My co-workers came from a variety of musical backgrounds and I really learned a lot from them working there. -Employee discount -Paid Time Off policy was fair.

Cons

The company has changed hands too many times. CEO's come in and pull the rug out from under everyone by implementing new SOPs without truly understanding the business. As time went on, I was expected to do more with fewer people. I was expected to keep shrink down but wasn't allowed to properly staff the store. Managers no longer receive adequate training and associates are promoted into roles they are not ready for.

Explore other reviews about Guitar Center

5.0
25 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Very flexible with hours working.

Cons

Difficult to stray away from Hal Leonard curriculum sometimes, but may be different now.

3.0
1 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Sweet deals and discounts Coworkers are very pleasant to work with Good as extra income Good for aspiring musicians to network with experts of the industry

Cons

Obsolete softwares Scheduling system software that is thenmost imperative tool as of it will be the backbone of a lesson lead for your team of instructors success it's also somewhat obsolete amd constantly crashing both IT and Upper management are aware. IT is very diligent and pleasant to work with but Upper management expects their lessons lead to work and deliver at 100% capacity while they continue to have an operating system that only works at 75% capacity, just beware of that and if you're willing to work under those conditions. With that put there go at your own discretion. Nobody gets Christmas/winter holiday vacation time off, also go at your own discretion on that one especially if you have kids and family looking for work-life-balance.

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