$1300 the absolute min. for new berg nv610?

[amos]

Hi gang,

I have been told that Bergantino sets the minimum price for a new NV610 at $1299.99, and music stores "are not allowed" to sell below that manufacturer set price. How true is this statement?

Thanks,

David

[KJung]

Bergantino, like a few other brands like the Sadowsky Metro's and the Mesa products, are 'fixed priced', meaning that you will pay the same price at any retailer you buy from.

And, before we get into the legality of 'fixed pricing', this pricing model is an agreement between a retailer and a manufacturer. A retailer is, of course, free to discount these products, but will then have that product line pulled by the manufacturer.

I like this sort of pricing myself. No haggling, no surprises, and it allows the 'mom and pop' music stores to compete on an equal footing with the big box companies.

[R Baer]

+1 Smaller, boutique gear that isn't available at the big box stores, like Guitar Center, have to rely heavily on the smaller specialty shop's to make their products widely available to players all around the country. This network of smaller stores is vital for players looking to buy bass products not carried by the major chains. By setting the pricing, all these stores are on a pretty much level playing field and it encourages the players to buy as local as possible.

Without the pricing fix in place, you get into a profit war between the shops, where one shop might be willing to make a very small profit on the products, in order to move the most equipment. Sure, this could result in lower pricing and great business for the couple of shops willing to take the lower profit margins, but it could also result in some of these shops not being able to keep their doors open. Less stores only hurts us players, by limiting the amount of choices we have when looking at boutique gear. The price fixing helps all these shops keep their doors open, which in the end, benefits us players in a much more important way, than just saving a few bucks.

[guy n. cognito]

Stores required to sell at a MAP will usually find other ways to entice buyers, like free strings or other accessories.

[throughmylens87]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Stores required to sell at a MAP will usually find other ways to entice buyers, like free strings or other accessories.

Yup very true. When I went to GC to purchase my Markbass 104HF and asked what kind of discount they could give me he informed me that MB sets the price and doesn't allow any discounting. So I got my TCE Poly Tune gratis.

[throughmylens87]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Stores required to sell at a MAP will usually find other ways to entice buyers, like free strings or other accessories.

Yup this has been my experience as well.

[throughmylens87]

Sorry for the double post. TB app was giving me some issues.

[Devo-lution]

Originally Posted by throughmylens87

Yup very true. When I went to GC to purchase my Markbass 104HF and asked what kind of discount they could give me he informed me that MB sets the price and doesn't allow any discounting. So I got my TCE Poly Tune gratis.

Dutchie?

Had the same with my markbass rig. Free cables, strings, ...

[JimmyM]

We use "gratis" a lot in America, too.

[Devo-lution]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

We use "gratis" a lot in America, too.

Cool, didn't know that!

First time I encounter that word in English language .

[TheDialog]

I was offered a NV610 for $1,075 including tax and shipping at a music store...BRAND NEW

[funkyebk]

Originally Posted by TheDialog

I was offered a NV610 for $1,075 including tax and shipping at a music store...BRAND NEW

Please tell us where.

and speak clearly into the microphone.