Guitar Center Price Match Policy, Explained
Guitar Center matches a lower advertised price from an authorized U.S. dealer at checkout or up to 45 days after you buy, with a long list of exclusions.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store policies change. This is a summary in our own words of Guitar Center's Low Price Guarantee page (last revised March 29, 2021, according to the page) and its GLP FAQ, both read on October 26, 2026. The official pages are the ones that apply; check them before you ask for a match.
Does Guitar Center price match?
Yes. Guitar Center calls it the Low Price Guarantee. If an authorized dealer advertises the identical item for less than you paid, Guitar Center refunds the full difference. It works in two moments:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| At the time of purchase | The store matches the lower advertised price before you pay |
| Up to 45 days after purchase | You get 100% of the difference back to your original payment method |
The lower ad can even be Guitar Center's own. So if the store drops its price within 45 days of your purchase, the guarantee covers that too.
Which competitors count
Guitar Center only matches what it calls authorized U.S. dealers. That means real online or brick-and-mortar retailers whose business is selling first-quality musical instruments, gear and accessories, and who are authorized to sell the item by nearly all of the brands they carry. The item must be:
- Identical to the one you bought or want to buy
- Advertised in a local or national newspaper, online, in a magazine or in a catalog
- In stock at that dealer right now
For online prices, the match is based on the competitor's checkout price, shipping and handling included. A low sticker price with a big shipping charge may not beat Guitar Center at all.
What is not covered
The guarantee leaves out a long list of deals:
- Discontinued, gray market or used and vintage gear
- Items with removed or defaced serial or ID numbers
- Demo and exclusive models, floor samples and factory seconds
- Open-box, limited-quantity and closeout items, outlet center items
- Bundles, misprints, auctions and auction sites
- Rebates and deferred savings, free or promotional items
- Financing and taxes
The match also does not stack with other offers or promotions, and Guitar Center may limit how many price-matched units you buy. If you are matching a competitor's coupon or promotion, that coupon's own rules and limits apply to the match as well.
How to ask for a match
- In a store: bring the dealer's ad and, for a match after purchase, your original Guitar Center receipt. Guitar Center says it does not accept photocopies of ads or receipts.
- Online or by phone: for internet purchases, Guitar Center asks you to contact its online support or call 866-498-7882.
The guarantee is for consumer orders only, not resellers. Businesses, schools and institutions that want volume pricing are pointed to Guitar Center's Institutional Department at the same number.
Price match or return?
The same FAQ page also describes a 45-day satisfaction guarantee: items returned in original, brand-new condition within 45 days of purchase can be refunded, with exceptions. If the price drops and you would rather keep the gear, the Low Price Guarantee is the simpler route.
Sources
Low Price Guarantee and GLP Guaranteed Lowest Prices FAQ, Guitar Center. Policy checked October 26, 2026.