Should I expect a good discount at Guitar Center's president's day sale?

tehuberc · #1 02-15-2008, 05:53 PM

Do they actually mark down a lot of the basses?

jwsamuel · #2 02-15-2008, 05:59 PM

The mark down some of the basses a lot, but not a lot of basses are marked down.

You'll find a couple of great deals, the rest will be regular price. Last year, I got an American Jazz bass for $400. They also had two MIM Jazz basses for $159 and a Highway 1 Precision for $299. The rest were regular rpice.

Jim

lowbass68 · #3 02-15-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehuberc

Do they actually mark down a lot of the basses?

My local GC only seems to mark down basses that have sat around too long on the shelf. Sometimes they are good buys, sometimes they sat around too long because there is a problem with them. May be a simple setup correction or a major issue. I tried a nice MIA J a few months back that needed a truss rod tweek, but the salesman would not do it. I think they aready cranked it too much and just wanted to pass it off to some kid. The GC on the other side of town is much better, maybe because Sam Trash is a block away. I sooo miss the stores back in Austin.

eedre · #4 02-15-2008, 06:44 PM

You really get a good deal on their mid price range stuff on those big sales. Also, cables, straps, pedals.. stuff like that.

But you can walk in and talk a salesperson down just as easy on a normal business day for high priced basses.

speedkills · #5 02-15-2008, 06:44 PM

Decide what you want and how much you're willing to pay.
They will work with you.
NEVER pay the price on the tag for gear at GC. It is always negotiable.

I just bought a Fender Aerodyne. Sticker price 649.
I paid 575 out the door.
I also bought a case for it - 110 sticker - - 60 bucks out the door.

I also recently bought an amp and head and together saved about 400 off of sticker price.

They cannot come down on cables, picks, sticks, books, etc.
Thats where they make their money.

But on the high dollar stuff - amps, speakers, basses, etc they will wheel and deal.

Where they really make their money is on people who go and pay full price for that stuff.

tbwilson · #6 02-15-2008, 06:44 PM

always ask for price adjustments. every time i go down there with at least 300 i go "I'm not really liking the price could you knock it down to 200" etc. i have bought around 1300 worth of things without discounts. but have only paid around 1050. its not gonna hurt to ask what are they gonna say... worst case no. big deal.

Rudyboy98 · #7 02-16-2008, 12:36 AM

Best suggestion:

If you do go to a sale such as this, be prepared, do a price comparison beforehand. Know what you want, and what you can afford.

Ask yourself these questions: Can I buy this "bass" anytime at X price? If so, is the X price reasonable?

The chain stores (in general) have a habit of stating: The best "Sale" is NOW! If you shop them like I do, you'll generally find this to be untrue. Every day of the week, I am finding that I can buy something, and they're willing to negotiate the price...

You didn't mention what kind of price range you have in mind, so I will state this:

Generally, the higher the price tag, the more "negotiating power" you usually will have.

The lower the price tag, the less room for profit, so you can't negotiate them.

It's simple economics.

Good luck with the buy!

gkbass13 · #8 02-16-2008, 12:46 AM

they had a nice godin 5 string PJ bass in sonic blue with a white pg and rosewood feetboard that i played today at my local GC...looked funky, sort of liek a dipinto and had a GREAT p bass tone, was only 199, but instead of buying it as a backup to my lakland, i told this kid shopping for a cheap 5 string to buy it instead of thre yamaha he was playing, which was set up like crap and sounded even worse. so he did and will have a solid starting bass IMO.

speedkills · #9 02-16-2008, 12:53 AM

My latest "big" purchases at GC:

A used Ampeg SVT-6 Pro for $700 which was priced at $850

New Ampeg SVT-610 HLF for $690 (was $950).

New Fender Aerodyne Bass for $575 (was $649)

Roadrunner 2U rack $75 (was $170)

Roadrunner bass case $60 (was $110)

What I paid versus sticker: $2100 - - > $2729

Also the 10' speakon cable, straplocks (Schaller - 2 sets!), and strings they GAVE me.

Maybe you'll get a better deal, maybe not.
But you have to try. They will work a deal if you ask.

vegas532 · #10 02-16-2008, 01:04 AM

The President's Day Sale is basically how they get rid of stuff that's been there a long time and what's referred to as C, D, and Y coded merchandise.

C - discontinued by GC
D - discontinued by manufacturer
Y - special order merchandise (that was never picked up)

Granted, it's been 6 years since I worked there, so I'm probably not totally correct on the codes. GC guys feel free to correct and/or school me.

Vic Winters · #11 02-16-2008, 03:59 AM

President's Day Sale is Monday right?

JEDI BASS · #12 02-16-2008, 04:19 AM

I waited for months, trying multiple times to buy a EB Musicman Stingray at a reasonable price from the Knoxville, TN G Center. It had been there for over a year and was used but in new condition. I've spent thousands of $$ there over the years, but they wouldn't go below $1000 on the bass for me! I called at least once a month, then one day I walked in and a sale was going on.... they had $775 on the bass!! I bought it, but couldn't adjust back to playing 4 strings after playing 6 string basses for the last 15 years. I sold it on ebay for $995 HEHEHE.

The BurgerMeister · #13 02-16-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas532

The President's Day Sale is basically how they get rid of stuff that's been there a long time and what's referred to as C, D, and Y coded merchandise.

C - discontinued by GC
D - discontinued by manufacturer
Y - special order merchandise (that was never picked up)

Granted, it's been 6 years since I worked there, so I'm probably not totally correct on the codes. GC guys feel free to correct and/or school me.

ah, but there's (apparently) a change coming to the big sale days. yes, we'll still be blowing out gear that's been around for a while, but i think they (ie, corporate) are going to be putting an emphasis on discounting off of regular sticker price as well. i may be wrong, or it may be a plan for future sales days....

but stop on in! should be interesting....

The BurgerMeister · #14 02-16-2008, 04:28 AM

and yes, prez day sale is monday.

ErnieD · #15 02-16-2008, 04:42 AM

got my preferred customer postcard in the mail last week, as per the Prez Day sale. Heck, each holiday I just have not had a need for any equipment. I bet most folks go and end up buying just cause they went there, thats cool too. But Ive got 2 bass transactions right now, 1 a bass trade the other a great used bass purchase from craigslist.....

..."we dun need no stinking music stores, amigo".

Snarf · #16 02-16-2008, 12:06 PM

GUYS GUYS GUYS

Just to let you know, GC switched as of February 1 to retail price only. You will NOT be able to go lower than the tagged price (excluding sale items, of course). I saw it myself. A buddy of mine from when I used to work there got me behind the green screen, I tried to lower the GLP by $0.01, and it told me it took a level 6 account to do it (and a level 6 would need to write a report on it, too). So basically, never expect to get less than the tagged price again.

speedkills · #17 02-16-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

GUYS GUYS GUYS

Just to let you know, GC switched as of February 1 to retail price only. You will NOT be able to go lower than the tagged price (excluding sale items, of course). I saw it myself. A buddy of mine from when I used to work there got me behind the green screen, I tried to lower the GLP by $0.01, and it told me it took a level 6 account to do it (and a level 6 would need to write a report on it, too). So basically, never expect to get less than the tagged price again.

GUYS GUYS GUYS

YOU ARE WRONG.

I have reciepts for the above posted deep discounts dated Feb 9 and Feb 11.

Want to see them? I'll scan them and post them...

IF YOU WANT A DISCOUNT - ASK.

IF YOU WANT TO PAY FULL PRICE - GO AHEAD.

BTW - The guy who gave me the discount was not a high ranking employee - he barely knew where anything was.

IN FACT - when he went for his managers approval - his managers exact words were "I dont even go that low".

I have other things to do now.

Have a nice day.

Snarf · #18 02-16-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedkills

GUYS GUYS GUYS

YOU ARE WRONG.

I have reciepts for the above posted deep discounts dated Feb 9 and Feb 11.

Want to see them? I'll scan them and post them...

IF YOU WANT A DISCOUNT - ASK.

IF YOU WANT TO PAY FULL PRICE - GO AHEAD.

BTW - The guy who gave me the discount was not a high ranking employee - he barely knew where anything was.

IN FACT - when he went for his managers approval - his managers exact words were "I dont even go that low".

I have other things to do now.

Have a nice day.

Here's the problem with your argument: if he had to get a sales manager to approve it, it was a level 6 thing. Any bottom-rank sales associate could adjust prices before the 1st. Now it takes a sales manager. And maybe your store is a little more lax than mine. Whatever. You were probably being such a problem customer that he had to cut a deal to get you the hell out the door. Oh, and the guy you bought from was an idiot if a manager told him he doesn't even go that low.

Have a nice day.

bacid · #19 02-16-2008, 01:16 PM

It is true GC is starting to stick to sticker. We don't give discounts anymore, unless it is a price match issue. They are rolling this out by district so some stores can still give discounts. Hence the reason why some people still get discounts. My store and all of the stores in my district stay at the sticker price, and have been since December. We have some killer deals on things clearenced out at cost for the Presidents day sale, but even that is sticking to sticker price.

**DeanT** · #20 02-16-2008, 01:41 PM

My GC is notoriously stingy about taking anything off for their stuff.

I bought a floor model Coffin case that had been sitting around for months as a display. It had a large scratch on the bottom and the foam "pillow" that supports the bass's neck was ripped -- you could see the styrofoam inside by moving it a little. They took a whole $5 off for me.