The funny thing about Sam Ash is that they are more Guitar oriented then Guitar Center is, or at least the one in my area is. I used to go to Sam Ash alot back when I was really into playing guitar. I've essentially quit playing guitar and find that when I need to go get something I'll go to Guitar Center first. Sam Ash seems to get their stuff in later then GC and even though the Sam Ash near me is like 3 times the size of the GC near me, the GC seems to have a much better varity of products and the physical size of the departments are more equally distrubuted, for example at the local Sam Ash the guitar department is like 40 % of the total size of the store while at GC the guitar department takes up maybe like 25% of the total size of the store.
Sam Ashes software department is pathetic, GC has a better Pro-Audio section, GC has a better keyboard/synth/midi department. Sam Ash does have a better Sheet music department and GC doesnt even sell band instruments. Sam Ash does do guitar repair's though and GC does not (they'll cost you an arm, leg, neck and torso though). Drum departments are about equal. GC seems to get the better used gear including Guitars and Pro-Audio & Keyboards. And both of them try to get away with murder on trade-ins but I trust Sam Ash alittle more on that end. At least thats what its like in my local area.
Oh, and to the guy thats only got cash to buy a 500 with, I think VST takes Checks, maybe even Money Orders call them up or email them to ask if they take Money Orders. Then if they do accept money orders you can go to the local 7-11 and get one for like a dollar. I think you'll need to get 2 money orders though because you can't get a money order over $500, so you'd need to get (1) $500 money order then (1) $150 money order. OR..... if they don't take money orders see if they accept Western Union, I know places like Muscians Friend and some other online retailers do.
Enjoy your 500 
I'm not sure I follow what your saying.