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Am I crazy to think this is a rip off? (AU)

#81
I was in a store a couple of days ago and asked if they were getting any of the new Fender American P or J basses, the guy behind the counter said it took 1 and a half years to sell the last American Fender they had in stock :eek:

Btw, they sold it within 2 days after marking 25% from its ridiculous price
 
#82
Since moving to Australia 7 years ago...

Bought a wishbass fretless from America..(now sold)
Bought a used Yamaha RBX170 on ebay...(now sold)
Bought a used Yamaha pacifica guitar on ebay...(still have)
Bought a cheapie P-bass copy on ebay...(now sold)
Bought a new Squier Deluxe Active V when I was visiting America...(40% cheaper than the BEST Aussie price)

Also on the 'bay... a Zoom B2.1u, a Pickup, 2 sets bass strings, 3 sets guitar strings...

so what HAVE I bought from Australian retail? 1 $500 Combo amp (overpriced, but I NEEDED an amp) 2 sets of bass strings, 3 sets of acoustic strings, 1 strap, 1 lead, 1 pair of drumsticks)...yep...that's IT...in SEVEN years, <$700 worth of gear...
 
#83
Wwolof said:
Grumpy Terry is friendly now?

Anyway, look at the list of guitars they have in stock
Link Removed

!
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Haven't been in there yet to have a look but your Grumpy Terry crack made me laugh.

I have purchased a fair bit from offshore now, the more you do it the less inclined you are to swallow the prices here.

I purchase from the standard local shops in Adelaide but I buy most of my stuff from Better music in Canberra these days. Great guys, great prices, excellent advice and the gear turns up at my work 3 days after i get on the phone.

Easy..
 
#84
Just another point - just after our AUD$ went thru the roof last year CMI actually put their prices up on Eden gear! ***?? How is that justifiable well it all just got $0.10+ better for each dollar? The distributors IMHO are fleecing us harder than the retailers. i bet the prices will go up again when our AUD$ drops as they won't be able to maintain the already obscene margin..
 
#85
PilbaraBass said:
I wouldn't say "insanely reasonable"...but yes, the shops you mentioned DO offer product for considerably less than the average aussie shop.

For instance, I was quoted $550 for a bass @ basscentre that was selling for $699 just about everywhere else...that's $150 savings...that bringes up the question...how can the other places charge so much???...yes, they ARE trying to rip off the unsuspecting aussie public...

the prices, mind you, arent insanely low...that same bass in the US is $300 EVERYWHERE!

finally...I'll rag on anyone I feel is trying to make a "decent living" at MY expense...if they can't come to the party, they close their shop and go work at a coal mine in Central Queensland...
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$300 US bass, $150 Shipping. So whats that $450ish at the lowest for the store, add distribution, say $500 at a VERY conservative estimate, so on the odd occasion the store actually makes an isntrument sale (presuming they do not drop the price further due to haggling) they are making $200, take out overheads - DAMN WHAT A SAVAGE PROFIT, THEY MUST BE LIVING IT UP GOLD PALTED HOSUES AND EVERYTHING!

Raggin on people trying to make a decent living, and provide a valuable service is just disgusting. Especially when exceedingly friendly, good natured, hardowrking and down right decent people are trying to support a community and family off this business. Your repsonse : work in the coal mines?? ***!!! I dare you to go into the Bass Centre and tell Guy that, seriously what a terrible thing to say!

The lower Us dollar does NOT result in cheaper prices. It's but a SINGLE factor in a alrge an complex economy. If the US economy is falling, interest and inflation rates are (presumably) rising in America - therefore they need to make more money to keep living and emplying people. Certianly this is MUCH less of a factor for, say, Fender and Gibson then it is for, say, more boutique and specialised gear.

Honestly the way some of you go on about a few hundred dollars and the prices of many (especially independant) stores people would think this is some kind of cash cow. Really.

The stores provide a valuable service, they give you options to try and warranty service, and advice vastly different (and usually a lot better) than on the internet. I know if I did all my purchasing off the internet I'd have a setup I would be completely unsatisfied with, compared to the stuff I've tried and enjoyed. It's worth the couple of hundred dollars out of my pocket to support people I respect and know I'm satisfied and looked after.
 
#86
theNoseBleedKid said:
$300 US bass, $150 Shipping. So whats that $450ish at the lowest for the store, add distribution, say $500 at a VERY conservative estimate, so on the odd occasion the store actually makes an isntrument sale (presuming they do not drop the price further due to haggling) they are making $200, take out overheads - DAMN WHAT A SAVAGE PROFIT, THEY MUST BE LIVING IT UP GOLD PALTED HOSUES AND EVERYTHING!
Click to expand...

Are you forgetting that the stores don't pay retail prices for their gear? If they did they'd be unable to buy all the stuff they have too. Stores pay wholesale price, usually half, or less than half of the price we pay.

Say an EBMM Stingray HH wholesales for $1000 to Australian dealers. And an Australian store sells it for $2700 (which seems to be the average price without discounts). That means they gain $1700 with every Stingray sold.

Raggin on people trying to make a decent living, and provide a valuable service is just disgusting. Especially when exceedingly friendly, good natured, hardowrking and down right decent people are trying to support a community and family off this business. Your repsonse : work in the coal mines?? ***!!! I dare you to go into the Bass Centre and tell Guy that, seriously what a terrible thing to say!
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Pilbara noted in his post that the guys at Bass Centre have lower prices than everyone else, they try their hardest to give us a fair deal.
He said other companies are charging more and trying to really milk us of our pennies, I'd assume he meant they can go work in a coal mine.

The lower Us dollar does NOT result in cheaper prices.
Click to expand...

Sure it does, now not only can I buy from the US and save a bucketload, I can buy from the US and save even more because of the good conversion rate.

Honestly the way some of you go on about a few hundred dollars and the prices of many (especially independant) stores people would think this is some kind of cash cow. Really.
Click to expand...

Have you ever stopped to think that money doesn't grow on trees? I'm an unemployed graphics design student, I do a little work on the side for some mates to try and scrape together some cash. I have been saving for over 4 months and I've only managed to make around $600. What does that get me in Australia? A beginner bass? I'm no beginner, I want a real, quality instrument. Sure I'd love to support the dudes at The Bass Centre, but with the Australian prices I'll be saving for years before I can get a decent bass.

I don't have "a few hundred dollars" to spare, I wish I did, really. But I don't. So I'm happy to order overseas and not have to save up more thanks.

The stores provide a valuable service, they give you options to try and warranty service, and advice vastly different (and usually a lot better) than on the internet. I know if I did all my purchasing off the internet I'd have a setup I would be completely unsatisfied with, compared to the stuff I've tried and enjoyed. It's worth the couple of hundred dollars out of my pocket to support people I respect and know I'm satisfied and looked after.
Click to expand...

What makes you think stores overseas won't look after you?

Bassnw? Bass Central? The Bass Emporium? The Perfect Bass?

All very well established at respected dealers of fine instruments. I have bought all my gear on the internet, from Australian and overseas stores. Every product I have received has been in 100% working order. All my basses have come with nice setups, my amps worked first time, my strings came fresh and NEW (as apposed to buying a pack thats been sitting in a store for two years).
 
#87
Sorry Nosebleed, but a couple hundred dollars? Not on most items. Seriously, the price difference is so huge that you could pay for shipping of amps and cabs to Australia and still might save some dollars.
When we talk about shipping costs that importers tack-on, eg $100 or $150 for a bass from US, remember that bringing stuff in in bulk is costing a fraction of that.
I don't think AU retailers are gouging out that 100% difference all by themselves - clearly the distributors are robbing us as much as anyone. But why don't manufacturers just start selling to the retail chains and cut down on how many people have their hands in the till?
Yep I feel sincerely sorry for retailers who can't compete with online and overseas sellers, but if their business model looks that bleak and people are getting more and more comfortable with buying online, then should they even bother? Should a country full of musicians get gouged forever to support a handful of locally-owned shops and an invisible army of middle-men?
Perhaps we can get a Markbass opinion on why an LM2 is worth US$599 at MF, and $1199 ON SALE at Bass Centre, when the dollars are almost on par, and the amps have to be imported to both countries, and they only weigh six pounds each...
I'm guessing we'll come back to this warranty issue. I'd rather buy two amps - one backup for free! - and risk it without a warranty.
 
#88
basslyon said:
My experience is this; most stores get the stock from the distributers at trade (rrp-30%) and will happily sell it at rrp -20%.
Distributers however do specials to the stores if they get in a lot of stock but generally they make at least 20% margins.

I know this cos staff prices at music stores are set by the disributers and musiclink who do ashdown, ampeg etc have a staff price of trade - 20%. At that point you're paying about US RRP.

Also it's worth noting that musiclink own billy hyde so anything imported by them you can likely get cheaper at billy hyde or on their web store/ebay. I actually got my ashdown head and 2x10 cheaper from billy hyde's ebay accnt than i could get it at staff prices cos musiclink ran a limited special and billy hyde picked them all up before anyone else was even offered.
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have to admit, I got sucked in to that, got my ashdown head and 2X10 cheaper as chips from the billy hydes online store,... and still has warranty... ah well im not overly worried about pricing anymore,... only things I need to look for are strings and cables when they die, apart from that my bass/pedals/pedalboard obsession is complete for the time being :D

after reading this thread I have to admit, I don't mind paying more as long as I get customer service and quality product with it,... and although a small range of things in adelaide at least its better than nothing :)
 
#89
So far, I see three tactics put forth in support of buying local:

(i) scare tactics
(ie. overseas sellers are wolves in sheep's clothing who are out to get you anyway they can)

(ii) attempt at intimidation
(you're a downright unpatriotic ungrateful bastard because you are screwing over your friendly neighbourhood corner shop)

(iii) and the guilt trip
(ie. the local shops are trying to feed their families too, it's 'only' a couple of hundred dollars of mark up after all, you're stabbing the backs of some cool people who really care about you).
 
#90
ROON said:
Are you forgetting that the stores don't pay retail prices for their gear? If they did they'd be unable to buy all the stuff they have too. Stores pay wholesale price, usually half, or less than half of the price we pay.

Say an EBMM Stingray HH wholesales for $1000 to Australian dealers. And an Australian store sells it for $2700 (which seems to be the average price without discounts). That means they gain $1700 with every Stingray sold.
Click to expand...

Complete nonsense. I KNOW the EBMM are nowhere near that cheap for wholesale prices. You've also forgotten overheads. What about their shipping, taxes, employees, store costs, bills, and they have to make enough to support themselves and their families.


Pilbara noted in his post that the guys at Bass Centre have lower prices than everyone else, they try their hardest to give us a fair deal.
He said other companies are charging more and trying to really milk us of our pennies, I'd assume he meant they can go work in a coal mine.
Click to expand...

If your unsatisfied with the products offered or the service offered at a store there is no reason to support them, regardless of location. However, most people in this thread have been saying "OH NOES THEY ARE MAKING EMGABUCKS OFF US" without any understanding of the issue.

Sure it does, now not only can I buy from the US and save a bucketload, I can buy from the US and save even more because of the good conversion rate.
Click to expand...

My point was directed about the stores and peoples naive views that lower US exchange rate = lower gear prices offered at stores. Which is nonsense.


Have you ever stopped to think that money doesn't grow on trees? I'm an unemployed graphics design student, I do a little work on the side for some mates to try and scrape together some cash. I have been saving for over 4 months and I've only managed to make around $600. What does that get me in Australia? A beginner bass? I'm no beginner, I want a real, quality instrument. Sure I'd love to support the dudes at The Bass Centre, but with the Australian prices I'll be saving for years before I can get a decent bass.

I don't have "a few hundred dollars" to spare, I wish I did, really. But I don't. So I'm happy to order overseas and not have to save up more thanks.
Click to expand...

You don't have a job and your complaining about pricing? Man up and work a **** job. We've all been there.


What makes you think stores overseas won't look after you?

Bassnw? Bass Central? The Bass Emporium? The Perfect Bass?

All very well established at respected dealers of fine instruments. I have bought all my gear on the internet, from Australian and overseas stores. Every product I have received has been in 100% working order. All my basses have come with nice setups, my amps worked first time, my strings came fresh and NEW (as apposed to buying a pack thats been sitting in a store for two years).
Click to expand...

So say one day your transaction doesn't go so well. Or say you have a warranty issue with an amp down the road. Are you willing to fork out the extra cash to pay for shipping abck and forth, maybe more for fixing the issue. What if the warranty isn't valid now that you've bought it from overseas? It will only take ONE negative experience for you to realise there are distinct advantages to having Australian stores around.

Needless to say none of these arguments apply to second hand instruments.
 
#91
RiseOfTheWooten said:
So far, I see three tactics put forth in support of buying local:

(i) scare tactics
(ie. overseas sellers are wolves in sheep's clothing who are out to get you anyway they can)

(ii) attempt at intimidation
(you're a downright unpatriotic ungrateful bastard because you are screwing over your friendly neighbourhood corner shop)

(iii) and the guilt trip
(ie. the local shops are trying to feed their families too, it's 'only' a couple of hundred dollars of mark up after all, you're stabbing the backs of some cool people who really care about you).
Click to expand...


So far the tactics of the opposition.

We're happy to walktz into a store, try the person's merchandise, take advantage of there investment than crew them over by taking their business.

I also fail to see how the guilt trip (as you so eloquently put it, what are you, an avid tabloid newspaper fan?) is not a realistically relevant argument. When there are no more stores like the Bass Centre, or Bass People around because everyone is buying from O/S and the owners that treated you respectfully are broke prehaps you'll see that coughing up the extra $20 for strings once and awhile wouldn't have been that much for you, but would make a whole lot of difference to them.
 
#94
Disco_Gee said:
Most of the time it works out to be A LOT cheaper to buy from the US even with shipping and taxes. The 'import duty/tax/GST's etc etc' that you mention is actually only 2 things - GST and customs duty. They total 15% and only apply on goods that have a total value (inc. shipping) of $1000 or more. There are a lot of basses that can be bought and shipped for less than $1000 - especially with the exchange rate the way it is.
Click to expand...

Just a clarification for those following along. You DO NOT have any customs duty to pay on a solid body electric bass. There is an exemption from custom's duty for solid body electric basses because they do not compete with any locally made products. As a result, the only thing that you need to pay when importing is the shipping (and customs clearance costs) and the GST. If you have been charged customs duty on a bass guitar then you have not done your homework because there is a listed exemption (can't remember the code number) for the items and if you quote that number they cannot charge duty.

FWIW

PS. In my experience of importing 5+ basses into Australia and 3 into the UK from the US, there is no reason to buy locally. If you do you due diligence and homework you will get a great piece of gear. You do not need a warranty with a bass as what could happen that a decent local luthier couldn't fix?
 
#95
theNoseBleedKid said:
$300 US bass, $150 Shipping. So whats that $450ish at the lowest for the store, add distribution, say $500 at a VERY conservative estimate, so on the odd occasion the store actually makes an isntrument sale (presuming they do not drop the price further due to haggling) they are making $200, take out overheads - DAMN WHAT A SAVAGE PROFIT, THEY MUST BE LIVING IT UP GOLD PALTED HOSUES AND EVERYTHING!

Raggin on people trying to make a decent living, and provide a valuable service is just disgusting. Especially when exceedingly friendly, good natured, hardowrking and down right decent people are trying to support a community and family off this business. Your repsonse : work in the coal mines?? ***!!! I dare you to go into the Bass Centre and tell Guy that, seriously what a terrible thing to say!

The lower Us dollar does NOT result in cheaper prices. It's but a SINGLE factor in a alrge an complex economy. If the US economy is falling, interest and inflation rates are (presumably) rising in America - therefore they need to make more money to keep living and emplying people. Certianly this is MUCH less of a factor for, say, Fender and Gibson then it is for, say, more boutique and specialised gear.

Honestly the way some of you go on about a few hundred dollars and the prices of many (especially independant) stores people would think this is some kind of cash cow. Really.

The stores provide a valuable service, they give you options to try and warranty service, and advice vastly different (and usually a lot better) than on the internet. I know if I did all my purchasing off the internet I'd have a setup I would be completely unsatisfied with, compared to the stuff I've tried and enjoyed. It's worth the couple of hundred dollars out of my pocket to support people I respect and know I'm satisfied and looked after.
Click to expand...

no dude...you missed my point...I took advantage of a trip to the USA...

If I were to ship a bass from the USA it wouldn't be a $300 bass, it would be a +$800 bass (otherwise the economics don't make sense, do they?)

And I WILL rag on ANYONE who's trying to exploit me! :scowl::scowl::scowl:

most Aussie stores carry bargain basement, uninspiring gear! There ARE exceptions, for sure! And I'm not ragging on them...but when Joe Schmoe on the side street in Gladstone wants to sell me a Zoom B2.1u for $399 (I got mine on the bay for $279)...I'M GOING TO RAG ON HIM! CAPISCE????

I'm not SATISFIED! if it won't change...I won't buy...I'M THE CONSUMER, MATE...ME, the consumer, decides if the retailer's prices are equittable...not the retailer...

oK...'nuf said...
 
#96
theNoseBleedKid said:
$300 US bass, $150 Shipping. So whats that $450ish at the lowest for the store, add distribution......... It's worth the couple of hundred dollars out of my pocket to support people I respect and know I'm satisfied and looked after.
Click to expand...


Nobody's ragging (whatever that means) on the shops as far as I can tell but ragging on the huge take the middle man gets. Shops buy at what 40-50% of what they sell it to you right? That still means they get shafted as much as we do from the distributor.

It's not impossible to import gear over to australia and still sell it at a decent price. Look at bassgeardirect.com.au you can tell he's not charging much more than his extra expenses on shipping and duty. Look at all the Asian brands, the Yamahas, Ibanez and all. They're all decently prices, I've seen a few SX's locally too, also decently priced. These Asian basses also NEED to be imported in this country. Why do distributors of American gear need to upcharge this much? Greed I say. And that's got nothing to do with Bass Centre or any of the other local shops. It all falls down on the middle men.


EDIT: There's been a lot of talk from customers supporting local shops and customers moving overseas and some talk from shop employees urging us to keep them in business but zero talk whatsoever from distributors.
Anyone knows any that feel like telling us what the situation is?
How about one shop employee here telling us what sort of margin of profit they make (or if that's too much) then maybe give us an insight into the industry?
 
#97
theNoseBleedKid said:
You don't have a job and your complaining about pricing? Man up and work a **** job. We've all been there.
Click to expand...

The first part of this comment makes no sense at all - I am sure the majority of others in this thread have jobs but still complain about pricing.

Also, sometimes it isn't as simple as just maning up and working a **** job! We dont know this guys circumstances. I too am a full time student and understand the costs and time demands.

Get of your high horse e-thug
 
#98
Here's my situation: you can judge me...it's ok...

I'm a married father of 3...my wife is a homemaker...we want it that way...she also home schools are children...we ALSO want it that way...
we are a christian family and have no issue in helping those who are in need (we do as we are guided by God through prayer)...
we also have a car loan, and a mortgage...and quite frankly, there's not much else left at the end of the month...(Aussie food and petrol prices have also put a bit of a squeeze on things)...

I have no problem with anyone working a **** job...although, someone missed on asterisk for "Godly" ;)...

as far as "manning up"...mate, let me tell you...as a son of the most high and a dad to three beautiful children and husband to a beautiful, awesome woman, and as a hard-working employee to a respectable australian company and as a friend to many...i believe a HAVE manned up...

so please...stop attacking folks' character...we're not looking to rip off any merchant, likewise we don't want to be ripped-off either...
 
#99
NoseBleedKid,
A forum where people gather about playing bass is hardly a place where someone who has to watch his spending or who has no job should be served an uninvited homily about getting to work or being a man&#8212;just as it is not a place where someone who has just reached legal age should need to be served an uninvited homily about humility or about the credibility implicit in personal experience.
 

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