what I think...
a) it's a load of rhetorical hooey
and,
b) it sounds to me like Authorised Australian Fender Dealers are getting ripped off, too
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Am I crazy to think this is a rip off? (AU)
- Thread starter Marshbass
- Start date
what I think...
a) it's a load of rhetorical hooey
and,
b) it sounds to me like Authorised Australian Fender Dealers are getting ripped off, too
Dr Pete -- go have a word with Brian West at Fretco if you want a custom. His work is first rate, and he has some interesting used stuff too.
The market in this country really has me wondering what I should do for my instruments. Is it better for me to just advertise from a website and hope for the best or to stick my instruments on consignment in shops. I've got no idea at this point. I don't want one of mine hanging on a wall for years in a shop, that's for sure.
Sorry Phil, I did not pick up that you are a luthier, I checked out you page and liked your work, you seem passionate about it.
How to get your stuff out there, whew, hard yards mate, I just got the feeling hanging it in a shop will get you nowhere To most of the public and salesmen that gear snobbery thing is all powerful and yes, I suffer from it too.
How about a well designed web page that gets you on the first page somehow with Custom Bass as the thread????? Advertising here perhaps, no idea of costs.
you know as a customer I would be looking for things like:- this bass nails the stingray sound and is better, this bass nails the 60 blah blah fender precision/jazz sound and is better. A good sunburst or colour perhaps instead of the exotic look. A shape that resembles somewhat the icons, and it sells at the same price as the bass that started this thread.
Selling your soul stuff Phil, yeah maybe, anyways, best of luck with your basses.
Sorry Phil, I did not pick up that you are a luthier, I checked out you page and liked your work, you seem passionate about it.
How to get your stuff out there, whew, hard yards mate, I just got the feeling hanging it in a shop will get you nowhere To most of the public and salesmen that gear snobbery thing is all powerful and yes, I suffer from it too.
How about a well designed web page that gets you on the first page somehow with Custom Bass as the thread????? Advertising here perhaps, no idea of costs.
you know as a customer I would be looking for things like:- this bass nails the stingray sound and is better, this bass nails the 60 blah blah fender precision/jazz sound and is better. A good sunburst or colour perhaps instead of the exotic look. A shape that resembles somewhat the icons, and it sells at the same price as the bass that started this thread.
Selling your soul stuff Phil, yeah maybe, anyways, best of luck with your basses.
Just a few things to add:
When importing basses into Australia you are going to have to deal with two issues.
Firstly, customs and duties. On their website, Australian Customs Services say that: "All goods (except for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages) may be imported duty and tax free if their value is $1,000 or less." So yeah, if you are getting something from the pricey end of the scale, remember that it might attract a duty charge, so something to research.
Secondly, check what wood the bass is made from then do some research. There might be some issue with quarantine if the bass or part is unfinished and/or is made of a wood that is subject to the international treaty on endangered species.
Keep these things in mind and you should be golden
When importing basses into Australia you are going to have to deal with two issues.
Firstly, customs and duties. On their website, Australian Customs Services say that: "All goods (except for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages) may be imported duty and tax free if their value is $1,000 or less." So yeah, if you are getting something from the pricey end of the scale, remember that it might attract a duty charge, so something to research.
Secondly, check what wood the bass is made from then do some research. There might be some issue with quarantine if the bass or part is unfinished and/or is made of a wood that is subject to the international treaty on endangered species.
Keep these things in mind and you should be golden
- Mar 25, 2005
- 1,172
- 10
- Disclosures
- Builder: Mailloux Basses
Thanks for the tips and nice words
I've been working on a pro site for a little while but it won't be up for another few months. I'm aware of a lot of those things you were mentioning, I was just venting I guess of the unrealistic prices you find locally and the confusion it can bring to small-time builders. I can't remember how often people have told me "Why do you sell your instruments for so little?" (usually non-players)when all they can compare it to is from US-made CNC'd guitars at the shops that are way overpriced. Yeah, my handmade basses sell for less than that $6000 flamed-top Les Paul
- Mar 25, 2005
- 1,172
- 10
- Disclosures
- Builder: Mailloux Basses
No need to check out the timber. You won't have any problems like that. The only thing you might get is an overzealous officer that wants to fumigate the bass for bugs and they'll charge you another $80 for that. I've had heaps of raw timber imported here without any problems at all, some spalted pieces too and it didn't even get the fumigating treatment.
Sorry about the way you guys are getting stiffed Down Under! Why don't we just set up a bass procurement network? The buyer tells their US counterpart what they are looking for (GC, Ebay, MF, whatever...), the US buyer gets the specs and prices, the AUS buyer sends the dough and shipping info, the US buyer picks up the guitar, takes a small acquisition fee, and everyone is happy!
Or, is that illegal?
Or, is that illegal?
+1...came through customs last month...I claimed "wooden objects" on my form...when asked, I said I had two bass guitars and a set of drumsticks...no other questions were asked...a quick x-ray and I was on my way...
also, often, they won't even pursue the duty side of things, either...
when I shipped my Carvin AC40 over via a freight forwarder when I moved here, it DID get the fumigation treatment...but I shipped it with clothes and a whole lot of other things and if I recall, the total duty then was $140 AU (and that was for 8 medium sized boxes of stuff + a guitar that I claimed @ $1400 AU at the time).
Yep, it sure is tough, but we aren't (all) trying to rip you off. We are just trying to feed our families same as you. Will expand later..........
Oh I bet you're feeding them gold nuggets instead of chicken nuggets!!
Kidding, naturall due to our lower population there is less demand for everything - just another thought I had for the markups.
There's a place in Sydney called Bavas music where I bought my Jaguar from and they were all too eager to give me discounts. I walked in not having enough money and having to pay it off as I go, and walked out with the bass and a case for less than the RRP of just the Jag. He even filled my hand with some free picks as I left. Heroes!
- Mar 25, 2005
- 1,172
- 10
- Disclosures
- Builder: Mailloux Basses
Yes, please do expand. Are you a distributor, builder, shop owner or employee of a shop?
Since joining talkbass, I've really noticed the pricing difference. And as a beginning player looking to move up in the world in terms of gear, it's simply proving impossible. I've been playing a few years on my low-end ESP and crappy practise amp, and now that I want something a little more decent, I get slapped in the face with just how damn much everything is.
I've been trying to get an amp for a month or two now, and there's just nothing out there. The music shops only ever stock crappy practise amps, presumably because that's all the high school kids would buy, and a few bigger combos and occasional cab and amp packs.
I've been into the same shop for a few minutes every week (I have time to kill waiting for a bus), and they never get anything new. Up until recently actually, they got some rather cool looking combos, can't remember the brand (and they weren't yet priced, though I bet it was ridiculous).
The only stuff in the shop I could even look at were a couple of 15" Ashton and Laney combos that were about $7-800. And they sure didn't look new either, they've definitely been there years. And a couple of stacks, but they were around $1300 and out of my range. I think Hartke and Ashton maybe.
My dad is going to ask some muso guys he knows if there's anything decent used around. Though I'm not holding my breath.
As for basses, well as others have said, most shops only stock low-end stuff. I bet if I went into the other music shop in town I haven't even been in this year, I bet they'd still have those same two Squiers and few crappy Montereys and Johnsons. The shop I said I go in every week actually used to have some pretty cool ones, in the $2500 range ( stuff you guys would pay $1000 US for), but they dissappeared and haven't gotten anything comparable in again.
Well I think they do that with cars in Japan. They have heaps of car auctions and stuff there, so overseas people tell the car importer guys what they want and what they're willing to spend, and they get guys in Japan to get the car for them. So they end up with a sweet imported car for cheaper than you could buy an equivalent at home.
I've been trying to get an amp for a month or two now, and there's just nothing out there. The music shops only ever stock crappy practise amps, presumably because that's all the high school kids would buy, and a few bigger combos and occasional cab and amp packs.
I've been into the same shop for a few minutes every week (I have time to kill waiting for a bus), and they never get anything new. Up until recently actually, they got some rather cool looking combos, can't remember the brand (and they weren't yet priced, though I bet it was ridiculous).
The only stuff in the shop I could even look at were a couple of 15" Ashton and Laney combos that were about $7-800. And they sure didn't look new either, they've definitely been there years. And a couple of stacks, but they were around $1300 and out of my range. I think Hartke and Ashton maybe.
My dad is going to ask some muso guys he knows if there's anything decent used around. Though I'm not holding my breath.
As for basses, well as others have said, most shops only stock low-end stuff. I bet if I went into the other music shop in town I haven't even been in this year, I bet they'd still have those same two Squiers and few crappy Montereys and Johnsons. The shop I said I go in every week actually used to have some pretty cool ones, in the $2500 range ( stuff you guys would pay $1000 US for), but they dissappeared and haven't gotten anything comparable in again.
Sorry about the way you guys are getting stiffed Down Under! Why don't we just set up a bass procurement network? The buyer tells their US counterpart what they are looking for (GC, Ebay, MF, whatever...), the US buyer gets the specs and prices, the AUS buyer sends the dough and shipping info, the US buyer picks up the guitar, takes a small acquisition fee, and everyone is happy!
Or, is that illegal?
Well I think they do that with cars in Japan. They have heaps of car auctions and stuff there, so overseas people tell the car importer guys what they want and what they're willing to spend, and they get guys in Japan to get the car for them. So they end up with a sweet imported car for cheaper than you could buy an equivalent at home.
Sorry Adge, I don't mean to be rude, but.
The prices in Australia are absolutely outrageous. I'm cool with getting a bass with a miniscure ding on it, why you ask? Because I have saved up to $1000 (and sometimes over). Hell I don't care if it has a big ding on it! I am NOT paying $2700 for an EBMM, or $2500 for a G&L, really, they are both great bass companies but those are unrealistic prices.
I was really happy when The Bass People opened up shop, I thought, hey cool a bass store in NSW! Once I saw the prices on the online store it completely destroyed any chance of me buying a bass from there. The Bass Centre in Melbourne are much cheaper, and although they don't have a very high range selection, overall they have far better inventory. I have bought things from them in the past and if the price is right (eg, something that hasn't had the price marked up by $1000), or it's a big bulky item like an amp or a cab, my money is going to them.
Actually I bought my Aerodyne Jazz from an Australian guy in Japan who sells the Japanese stuff internationally. Really easy to deal with and avoided eBay altogether. There must be more people like him spread around.
Here's the site: Invalid Link Removed
Here's the site: Invalid Link Removed
I am almost certain that guy has his stuff listed on eBay too.
Never contacted him but seems like a decent, legit seller.
unfortunately its the same thing,...
I think that Adelaide of all places have it worse,... almost ANYTHING I have ordered that wasn't an off the shelf item had to be ordered in (I'm talking, DR Black Beauties, the ibanez bass pedals lines, things you wouldnt think are THAT much,...) at pretty big pricing,... then I had a look at what equivalent US pricing is,... would be so much easier,... got my Devi Ever bass fuzz as probably the cheapest pedal on my board!
I ended up paying 1300 for my Ibanez K5 which was 'reduced',... I didn't check at all what other prices were cos I thought was a bargain,... but I think the RRP it was marked down from was 1800 or 1900? I'm pretty sure that its marked up quite a bit
funniest thing is its not just musical instruments, its lots of things,... you can buy a mazda rx8 in america or japan for WAAAAAY cheaper than you can in OZ...
ah wells, lesson learned!
I think that Adelaide of all places have it worse,... almost ANYTHING I have ordered that wasn't an off the shelf item had to be ordered in (I'm talking, DR Black Beauties, the ibanez bass pedals lines, things you wouldnt think are THAT much,...) at pretty big pricing,... then I had a look at what equivalent US pricing is,... would be so much easier,... got my Devi Ever bass fuzz as probably the cheapest pedal on my board!
I ended up paying 1300 for my Ibanez K5 which was 'reduced',... I didn't check at all what other prices were cos I thought was a bargain,... but I think the RRP it was marked down from was 1800 or 1900? I'm pretty sure that its marked up quite a bit
funniest thing is its not just musical instruments, its lots of things,... you can buy a mazda rx8 in america or japan for WAAAAAY cheaper than you can in OZ...
ah wells, lesson learned!
unfortunately its the same thing,...
I think that Adelaide of all places have it worse,... almost ANYTHING I have ordered that wasn't an off the shelf item had to be ordered in (I'm talking, DR Black Beauties, the ibanez bass pedals lines, things you wouldnt think are THAT much,...) at pretty big pricing,... then I had a look at what equivalent US pricing is,... would be so much easier,... got my Devi Ever bass fuzz as probably the cheapest pedal on my board!
I ended up paying 1300 for my Ibanez K5 which was 'reduced',... I didn't check at all what other prices were cos I thought was a bargain,... but I think the RRP it was marked down from was 1800 or 1900? I'm pretty sure that its marked up quite a bit
funniest thing is its not just musical instruments, its lots of things,... you can buy a mazda rx8 in america or japan for WAAAAAY cheaper than you can in OZ...
ah wells, lesson learned!
The thing is if you purchased a car from the US, it's going to be left hand drive (which is legal here now not but not exactly recommended), the warrenty for the car is only going to be valid in the country of purchase. A bass/guitar is the same, no matter what country it is made in. And the warrenty on a bass is far less important than the warrenty on a car. Imagine the shipping cost for a car too!
I am almost certain that guy has his stuff listed on eBay too.
Never contacted him but seems like a decent, legit seller.
I've bought some fx pedals off him - he's a top bloke
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