Too Good to be True? Question about Guitar Center

[98dvl]

OK,

I've not played a bass since moving to my new place 3 years ago (sold a EB Stingray 5 and my amp before I moved). I've met a guy that'd like to get a band started, so I went shopping this weekend.

I missed my Stingray so much, I started looking at EB's. I found a new (to me) model - the Bongo. I fell in love with one at Guitar Center today...

Only thing is that it's on clearance. It's the last 5 string Bongo they have, and it's priced about $300 less than the 4 strings Bongos they have left. Their price is $935 (on the tag they claim it's retail is $1870). So, that's 50% off.

I talked to one of the sales guys about it. We looked and didn't notice any chips or cracks in the paint. He said sometimes their "clearance" stuff is "ding and dent" and sometimes, it's just because they can't sell the guitar.

Does anyone have any inside info on why GC puts some stuff on clearance. It just seems too good to be true to get a new $1500+ bass for the price of what a used one would go for.

The only problems I noticed were that there was some string buzzing on the B and E strings. I imagine that could be tweaked out (the action seemed just a bit low compared to some of the other EBs that were there). Also, I took a closer look at the paint job, and on the back, in the middle of the body, it kind of looked like there might have been some areas that looked like it was stressed (like stress cracks in the paint - but they were really fine, and I didn't compare to the other guitars).

What does everyone think? I may head back up there tomorrow to put some $$$ down on it (can't buy it outright until after my wedding in Nov!)

[edit]Does anyone know how to deal with the guys at GC? Will they work on prices, or are they usually pretty firm? I'd like to see if I can talk them down in price a bit (doesn't hurt to ask right?) But, I figure I have no room for negotiating if I can't pay for it all right now and have to put on lay-a-way for a month. Any tips on bargaining would be appreciated.[/edit]

[The BurgerMeister]

i work at gc in sherman oaks, ca.

the salesguy did not lie! we generally put stuff on clearance if it a) got all beat up somehow, or b) we haven't been able to sell it and we need space for new inventory. as long as you feel good about it, and the bass is in good enough condition, i say take advantage before someone else does.

see if you can have them set it up before you buy it! or: buy it, have it set up (to see if the buzzing goes away), and if it isn't all good, return it. just make sure to discuss this with the salesperson. sometimes clearance stuff is not returnable... but if the salesguy's cool, the whole deal should not be a problem. good luck!

[agreatheight]

+1. I got a heavily discounted SR5 at GC a few years back due to EBMM discontinuing the color. Get it !

[Dr. Cheese]

For various reasons, GC puts good basses on sale from time to time. $935 for a new Bongo with shop wear, needing a set up sounds great to me. You probably won't find a better deal so get it.

[kingurth]

Hey, I was just at Guitar Center in Sherman Oaks today!

Yeah, I've seen some really good deals at GC. Although I'd rather support my local shops (like McCabe's), sometimes you just gotta go with the best price.

[98dvl]

Well, I went back to GC, and took a second look at the Bongo. I talked to another sales guy there, and he pointed out that there was a nice ding on the back of the bass (paint is cracked a bit) and on the headstock (paint chip).

I had missed this the first time, and now know why it's been reduced.

I played a few other basses, and think I may take some more time to play as many as I can before getting a new one.

[unbasslichkeit]

Originally Posted by 98dvl

Well, I went back to GC, and took a second look at the Bongo. I talked to another sales guy there, and he pointed out that there was a nice ding on the back of the bass (paint is cracked a bit) and on the headstock (paint chip).

I had missed this the first time, and now know why it's been reduced.

If it were a Fender, you'd be paying extra for it as a Relic

[tZer]

Sounds like a great deal - but can you handle being the dude on stage playing a toilet seat?









JK! EB makes great basses! Even great, funny-looking ones!

[guy n. cognito]

The GC here sold a new Bongo 5-string for $850. They were having a difficult time selling it because of the color. Even the "hotter" selling colors were sold for under $1000, IIRC.

If you were ready to buy today, I would offer them $875 and see if they take it. I doubt they will be willing to offer you a better deal than $935 if you plan to put the bass on layaway.

[invader3k]

I don't know. I've never played a Bongo, but for that price, I think I could live with a couple nicks if they didn't look too bad, assuming you like the bass.

However, better to research a little more than to rush into making a purchase you might regret later.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I was about to say $935 isn't a super great price....I've seen many (bought one) that were mint going for $850, and those weren't during sales.

[scott917]

at the guitar centers in houston, the Gretsch Rev. Horton Heat model guitar is 50% off(original price $4200 down to $2099) at several location. At the westheimer store it is a brand new guitar, it still has the plastic wraping on the tremelo bar. i too asked why so cheap and was told the same thing. maybe it is discontinued, or they don't want to carry that model any more, it won't sell.

another thing you have to remember is that at the end of every month they(the retailers) have to pay taxes on that stuff sitting in inventory. if it is just sitting and not selling, over time they might pay too much in taxes. after so long maybe the next rounds of taxes will start to cut into what it cost them to buy it in the first place....

any other thoughts....

Scott