Question about Bass Northwest

[heb9_28]

Hey all, quick question or two about bassnw.com I'm assuming there are lots of guys here who have either been to the shop (I'm jealous) or have purchased online from them. Anyways, can you "haggle" with them? If a bass is listed at 799.99 can you email and offer $725.00 (for example)?

Also, (and this is something I could easily find out by emailing them but since I'm here) is shipping included in the advertised price? I'd be surprised, but thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

Oh, and Mods if this is in the wrong forum, feel free to move it. Didn't know where it belonged.

[JohnnyB53]

I live in town so I buy from them in-store. I can't imagine that their shipping would be included, because some of their prices on used gear is lower than what it goes for on eBay. As for haggling, it depends. I bought my first bass amp there 12 years ago. It was a new Ampeg and they either shot me an incredible price or we haggled our way to it. It was less than GC or MF online.

OTOH, I was in-store noodling on a really cool G&L fretless (used) and I was trying to find some wiggle room in the price (which was fair to begin with), but they couldn't budge because it was a consignment, and lowering the price would have required getting the seller to agree to a discount. It would be possible to haggle on a consignment, but it would be time-consuming and success rate would be low.

They're a good store. They have high standards as to what they carry, including the used stuff, their prices are fair and they're straight up guys. They all play and love basses and it shows.

[EagleMoon]

I can tell you from personal experience that when I called and asked them if they could go a little lower on a couple of different basses, the guy got a bit miffed. I wasn't asking for much, but I thought the price they had on the instruments I was looking at was a little high.

[heb9_28]

That's kind of what I was thinking. I've always got the impression from their site that they seem to be a pretty solid, bass lovin company. I wasn't looking to haggle because I thought their prices were unfair, but I just thought it couldn't hurt to see if anyone had any experience with it.

Thanks all.

[LedBelli Bass]

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

I can tell you from personal experience that when I called and asked them if they could go a little lower on a couple of different basses, the guy got a bit miffed. I wasn't asking for much, but I thought the price they had on the instruments I was looking at was a little high.

I live in WA state, and I have dealt some with Bass Northwest. I find that when it comes to pricing, my experience closely mirrors EagleMoon's. They don't budge from what they publish on their website. In store, they are pretty much marked as low as you can get it also.

I don't agree that all their prices for used gear are less than Ebay, etc. Almost everything used that I've looked at over the years could be found somewhere else for less - sometimes a lot less. HOWEVER, part of what you're paying for with BNW is follow-up support, which you typically don't get from Ebay, Craigs, etc.

[R Baer]

Originally Posted by LedBelli Bass

...Almost everything used that I've looked at over the years could be found somewhere else for less - sometimes a lot less. HOWEVER, part of what you're paying for with BNW is follow-up support, which you typically don't get from Ebay, Craigs, etc.

+1 It's really important for us to support the shops that cater exclusively to our bass community. Personally, I never buy from Guitar Center unless I have no other option at the moment. IMO, They are the WalMart of the music industry.

[Selta]

I talk to the guys over there on occasion. I went to them for a quote on my 2nd custom G&L. They beat everyone else's quote I had on it, but, weren't exactly easy or approachable about it. Quick to reply though to my questions, and they seem just down to earth, "we don't BS you" kind of people, which is nice. I haven't bought anything from them myself yet, and with my current contacts at other stores I don't see that changing any time soon.

[dose]

I bought my Eden WT550 from them which was on consignment so no haggling and no free shipping but they did throw in a free t shirt i thought it was pretty cool of them

[Mike Shevlin]

They are very good people in a tough business & a tough economy~ one of the few bass only shops in the country and in my opinion, the best of them.

[JohnnyB53]

Originally Posted by LedBelli Bass

I don't agree that all their prices for used gear are less than Ebay, etc.

I never said "all their prices;" I said "some." Look it up. I expect their prices to be higher than eBay; they're paying for a brick 'n' mortar store, they are extremely knowledgeable, they help find the right bass for you which in the long run saves you lots of time and money that can't be boiled down to a cost-per-unit basis, and they'll perform lifetime setups on any bass they sell you, even an old used one.

They do have some excellent deals and some real cost-beaters. They had a 1993 Les Paul Special bass in TV Yellow with T-Bird+ pickups and ebony board w/OHSC for $599, and it sounded and played like a dream! I could kick myself that I didn't pick it up. That one was so below market value that somebody mail-ordered it from New Jersey the next day. Two weeks later he was trying to flip it on eBay. They often have G&Ls at reasonable prices. They had a 1981 L-1000 in mahogany/maple for $799 that was also a marvelous player. Those often hit that and more on eBay. Ditto for a 1993 L2K fretless in ash/ebony. It was so beautifully light and balanced. Easily worth the asking $799 considering it's one of the nicest L2Ks I've ever played.

[Intenzity]

I am also local to these guys and have purchased 3 basses and two cabs there at different times.

If the gear is used, you actually can counter-offer and they have contacted owners to see if he will accept the price. If he does, he does, if he doesn't he doesnt. It's not up to them. But as mentioned, they probably won't even call if you offer $200.00 for a $600.00 bass. It has to be an item that has been there a while and isn't moving probably for them to consider it. They definitely don't want to be in a big back and forth thing, so come in with the price you will pay if the guy says yes and don't yank their chain.

On the new stuff, it depends on the item I would imagine. For the brand name mid-range stuff - the ibanez, fender etc, they probably just don't have that much room to move, the prices are as low as they are going to go unless you are getting a bass+amp+cab and spending a lot of cash at once. They are straight about it, if you just want a squire or something, just wait for a holiday sale at GC, they don't do the volume of a chain like that and GC definitely moves more product at the low-margin end. All of those manufactures set the prices so they just can't move too much and are not making very much on that range of item to begin with.

The boutique stuff is more variant...they can probably wheel and deal a little more, but they don't HAVE to because they move a lot of that kind of stuff through there. Ever seen a sadowsky at GC?

But when they get something popular - a fodera (very rare), sadowsky, F-bass or other really nice players bass they are not usually there very long. Evan once told me more than half of their biz is from the net. People in Europe and Asia regularly grab stuff order from them online.

I do not believe shipping is included, that is the walk in price. But..no sales tax for you, but with shipping might be a wash.

Its not a "first bass" store really...they do have starter stuff, but that is not the forte they are definitely more oriented to players instruments in the mid to very high end range, and yes, they are all active gigging bass players with years of recording experience, tours, record deals etc.

You won't get dude-du-jour like you will at GC, you will get guys that are there everyday and know what they are talking about. But they do have opinions about stuff...and probably have less energy for those type of questions than a chain. But they are nice guys.

In this economy they may be a tad more willing to shave some $$ to move something. Just gotta ask.

I browse the site every Wed. when they post the new items and check the used item page in between. There is some serious drool worthy stuff up there all the time.

Best of luck.

[Munjibunga]

I got a great price on a new WT-800B from them without haggling. It was lower than anybody else by a significant amount.

[bassmanjla]

depends on what your buying.. if it's new.. probably not much.

if it's used, probably can.

if it's on consignment, good luck. they don't own those.

I've gotten some realyl good deals from them. your best bet. is to become a known customer. someone they know by name when you walk in the door. as with anywhere, you'll be more likely to get hooked up.

remember, bass northwest, like everyone else, is trying to stay alive in this ****** economy.

[RAM]

I was working on a project a few years ago in Seattle and wandered in, almost by accident. I'd known about the place for several years but wanted to check it out. I had a great experience there, and ended up buying a Roscoe SKB3005.

They were unable to haggle on price on this bass because of MAP. Dealers tend to be wary of selling below MAP, as it can cost them the entire product line if the luthier / distributor gets wind of it.

[Gibenbackerbass]

You have money. They want your money. They are in the business of selling. They expect negotiating will transpire. Give them a call & get used to people's reactions. It's not something you can control. What you can control is how much you spend. It's your money. You are entitled to try and get the best price.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by heb9_28

Hey all, quick question or two about bassnw.com I'm assuming there are lots of guys here who have either been to the shop (I'm jealous) or have purchased online from them. Anyways, can you "haggle" with them? If a bass is listed at 799.99 can you email and offer $725.00 (for example)?

Also, (and this is something I could easily find out by emailing them but since I'm here) is shipping included in the advertised price? I'd be surprised, but thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

Oh, and Mods if this is in the wrong forum, feel free to move it. Didn't know where it belonged.

Was a very good customer for them for 13 years till they put the boots to me really badly. I won't EER deal with them again.

Originally Posted by JohnnyB53

They're a good store. They have high standards as to what they carry, including the used stuff, their prices are fair and they're straight up guys. They all play and love basses and it shows.

I used to think that, too... not anymore.

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

I can tell you from personal experience that when I called and asked them if they could go a little lower on a couple of different basses, the guy got a bit miffed. I wasn't asking for much, but I thought the price they had on the instruments I was looking at was a little high.

Yep...nothing but attitude...the best guy of the bunch left about 4 years ago, the rest of them I have NO time for...wouldn't buy so much as a guitar pic off them, and if they're hurting now, they full deserve it. Their karma caught up with them.

Originally Posted by Mike Shevlin

They are very good people in a tough business & a tough economy~ one of the few bass only shops in the country and in my opinion, the best of them.

Not even close. Don't support shops that lie and rip off people.

IMHO.

Cameron

[AaronHuff]

I've got to strongly disagree with Bassflute. I've been a customer of theirs literally since the day they opened, and they've been nothing but helpful and fair. I've bought and sold many pieces of gear there over the years, and I couldn't recommend these guys more. Very helpful and knowledgeable. You may not be able to haggle with them over prices, but then again I wouldn't really expect that from most stores.

[lorenk]

Could you share your bad experience please?

[69'Vette]

I've dealt with them on occasion (over the phone and online). On a couple occasions I asked if the price of the bass I was looking at was flexible. On one it was and on one, it wasn't. No big deal. Both basses I bought from them came quickly, packed safely, and setup perfectly.

Part of every transaction (in my opinion) is my already knowing what I'm looking for and what it's worth. I don't fault the other guy for wanting his side of the deal to be fair as well.

[TBird1958]

I've dealt with them many times in person, Evan Sheely the owner is a great guy, he and his staff have always treated me right. I've purchased several basses and many smaller items over the years, they along with Mike Lull are my primary resources for bass gear.