House Of Guitars

This place finally went under. This business was around way too long and doing customers wrong. It would be great to have an organization established where consumers could get protection. The Better Business Bureau? NOT! more

I have usually gone in and there has been a younger employee who is happy to help. I will get some strings, play a few guitars, get some advice. Never a problem. Now I met this guy.... I had gone in a week ago for a set of strings for my new 12 string. I grabbed the last set and went to play some guitars. I picked up 4 guitars, all of which were miserably out of tune. Payed for my strings and left. Today I went with a friend so that he could get service. After listening to the demeaning, belittling and condescending tone of this man to my friend and me, I figured the guy was just an ***hole. He was TRYING to turn away the business, saying that restringing my friends mandolin would take from Thursday to Tuesday. Constantly talking down to us as well. My friend and I wandered off to play some acoustics. In tune, we both start playing 12 strings. The man comes and without saying anything grabs them in the middle of playing and puts them back on the wall. Again, very bad move. I've been going to dozens of music stores for 5 years now and have NEVER been told I could not play a guitar. Then I start conversation about my brand new Martin 12 string I purchased a few days before, which he wasted no time to insult and point out defects. Why? I love the Martin 12 string by the way, if you are looking for one go grab the cheap on at Guitar Center. Sounds and plays magically. So we decided to not give this man our business and never come back. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not give this man your business! Aside from the reviews here, I have heard numerous other stories from friends about bad service and repairs here. I even know an ex-employee who had to leave because this gentlemen was so bad. ****Go to Guitar Tex!!!! This shop is incredibly friendly, down to earth, helpful and courteous. I could joke around and jam with these guys all day. Plus its right across the street from Red Bone Guitar Boutiques. At both stores, I had employees and owners PUSHING guitars and banjos into my hands, expensive ones! Showing me one of a kind instruments, teaching me licks, showing me how to fix the issue I had instead of burying it under other work for almost a week. Great service here, the exact opposite of the hell hole pit of despair called House of Guitars. Hell of Guitars. Really. Pros: Nothing Cons: Everything more

Complete and utter disappointment. I can honestly say that I never going back despite it's convenient location to my apt. I would rather drive the 20 miles in I-10 traffic to get the help I need. I have been a couple of times for small items (strings, guitar stands, etc) but even for these items it's not worth the crappy experience. I recently purchased a mandolin and during my first time restringing realized that I needed some help with the floating bridge. I took it to the House of Guitars looking for some assistance. I was told that I couldn't even get it restrung until Tuesday (it is now Thursday). I figured that since I was there I might as well hang out and play a couple of instruments. I sat down with an acoustic guitar and was approached by the same guy who literally took the guitar away from me and placed it back on the wall. WTF?! If you want personalized service by people who actually care and are interested in what you have to say then go somewhere, anywhere else. Try Guitar Tex. They have a great staff who are friendly and helpful as well as knowledgeable. I really can't see how the House of Guitars is even still open. The only reason I gave this place one star is because I couldn't give it zero. more

I went into House of Guitars and as I walked in I was greeted and asked how I could be helped. Being friendly, I told the man (ROBERT) that I was looking for a mid range acoustic guitar. He asked me what my budget was and I told him $600, at which point he pointed out that I cant buy a midrange guitar for that and Im actually looking for a low end guitar. Seriously!? That right there sealed the deal that I was never going to buy from or return to House of Guitars. So he was taking me around spitting numbers at me and showing me guitars that he claimed I could not afford. I saw they had many Michael Kay guitars and I had not heard much about them. So when I asked if Michael Kay guitars are good guitars he looked at me and laughed saying how I could never afford one. But still, I continued to look. When I asked if he carried any Yamaha guitars, he laughed at me! What kind of business is this!? At this point I was fed up with him, and I wanted to know his name. I asked him and he said his name was Robert and put out his hand, so by instinct I shook his hand and said my name. He blew me off and laughed as if he could care less who I am. I cant believe this place still exists! There are nothing but negative reviews on this place all claiming the same thing. They are RUDE! If I was new to playing guitar and I went in there, I wouldn't be playing right now. This place is a overpriced mom and pop shop who is run by guitar snobs who think your nothing if you cant afford to buy a $1200 guitar. Ill take my business to Alamo Music. Ive never had a bad experience with them. They are always very friendly and more than helpful with anything. Go talk to Dino he wont let you down. Cons: Everything, Rude Guitar Snobs. more

My man and I brought my ELEVEN YEAR OLD brother in to price a guitar, and immediately the man that was there was extremely unpleasant. He spoke very rudely and condescendingly to us, and sat at the counter the whole time talking trash. I bought two sets of strings and music books from that store (from that same man) less than a week ago, and I know he recognized us. When my brother went to grab a guitar off of the wall, he grabbed it slowly with both hands and as he was lifting it off of the hook, the body touched the body of the guitar next to it (there wasn't even a sound made it was that light) and the guy yelled at him ""HEY BOY, IF YOU B ANG UP MY GUITARS AGAIN WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PROBLEM"" like the eleven year old (who knew what he was doing and was being very respectful and careful- and even asked first and had permission about handling the guitar) was a grown man and used profanity. And then the man didn't let it go and tried to fight us.... Nothing happened, thank goodness because we left right away. That is not a way to treat ANY customer, especially a child, and especially paying customers. Don't come here, you're better off trying one of the bigger stores here in town- the prices are better, and I am willing to drive all the way down 410 to spend extra gas money instead of giving my money to that ""business"" again. Pros: Decent Merchandise Cons: Horrible service, Bad attitudes, $$$$$$ more

I'm surprised this business still exists, to be honest. This little guitar shop was just a short drive down the road from my house, but I've never encountered staff that actually tries to push business away. more

Upon review of the damage, the owner's view was ""we adhered the binding to the guitar as we said we would, now we just need to complete the job with additional work to repair the collateral damage."" He pitched this to me as if it were standard operating procedure. This business had their amplifier technician attempt to repair the loose binding on my acoustic guitar. Not only did the botched attempt administer damage on and around the binding, collateral damage to finish occurred when solvent, glue, etc., was splattered all over the body of the guitar. The only remedy the owner would offer was to have me surrender my guitar to them again so they could repair the damage. Are you serious? After having been lied to about the repair person's credentials, and having the instrument returned to me in this condition, how can one expect me to accept this offer? I'd have to be held at gunpoint to surrender my guitar to these people, again, yet Better Business deemed the owner's offer as reasonable, since they didn't know if I was telling the truth. The Bureau recommended I take it to court. I next went to Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center, where the owner refused to participate. I then went to court, and won. My point is...be aware of this when you're in need of instrument repair. Hopefully the information I've shared can save you money, time, and heartache. I've learned that this business has damaged instruments for years and I will do what I can to have this stopped. more