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fender price hike.. or not?
- Thread starter tranceFusion
- Start date
If I'm just going by the information in that article (I haven't begun my research yet), I'm throwing the case out. The article states that the MAP or minimum ADVERTISED Price is the lowest price the retailes can sell at. According to the link, this is the basis for the entire investigation. Well, it's wrong.
MAP is just that, the lowest price a retailer can ADVERTISE for a product. Depending on the agreement, they can sell it at any price they see fit to stay in business. Many online retailers simply request that you email them for a quote and, lo and behold, you are quoted a price quite a bit lower than what you normally see. There's an outfit that gets press here that has been undercutting the Gallien Krueger market for years. They just can't advertise those prices.
In conclusion and based wholly on the "information" in the link....hahahahahahahaha.
Mike
Agreed, Mike. It looks clueless from the beginning and goes downhill from there...
"The investigation focuses on MAP (Minimum Advertised Price), a tactic used by manufacturers that mandates a specific price that retailers can charge customer".
Duh. If anything it helps small shops compete with larger ones because no one can ADVERTISE a lower price. I like this one too...
"Online retailers feel that MAP is discriminatory to their business, since their storefront is their website, and they is no real way for them to successfully negotiate with their potential customers".
Because MAP forces them to get rid of their phones and internet access... and salespeople.
The entire thing is worded just like the rants here... and they're nothing if not totally convincing.
I emailed fender about the price hikes and here's what they replied back to me:
Hello,
Thank you for your email. One of the big reasons for the price increase is because the cost of raw materials has gone up. Our suppliers of wood, metal, and other miscellaneous parts have raised their costs. The fact of the matter is our cost of raw materials has been going up for a few years now. We just didn’t adjust our prices to go with those costs. Now, they have gone up to the point where we had to make a price adjustment. We’re not trying to hurt anyone financially or discourage people from playing our guitars. We’re just trying to keep up with our increased costs. Thank you again for your email.
I've been GASING a new MIM Fender P or J in Lake placid blue with a maple neck ever since I read about it in Bass Player magazine but I can't afford $620+ right now... I'm hoping they lower the price and not raise it like so many are speculating...
ugh
Hello,
Thank you for your email. One of the big reasons for the price increase is because the cost of raw materials has gone up. Our suppliers of wood, metal, and other miscellaneous parts have raised their costs. The fact of the matter is our cost of raw materials has been going up for a few years now. We just didn’t adjust our prices to go with those costs. Now, they have gone up to the point where we had to make a price adjustment. We’re not trying to hurt anyone financially or discourage people from playing our guitars. We’re just trying to keep up with our increased costs. Thank you again for your email.
I've been GASING a new MIM Fender P or J in Lake placid blue with a maple neck ever since I read about it in Bass Player magazine but I can't afford $620+ right now... I'm hoping they lower the price and not raise it like so many are speculating...
ugh
Too late. The increase is a done deal. Check the online retailers. Most (if not all) have them at the new price.
As far as hoping a manufacturer lowers prices...I'd would waste the time it takes to process that thought.
Mike
Take this for what it is worth, if you really want a Fender, you will pay for it. Just as a year ago, only now it is more.
A guy can still get a Fender for under 400, but it will either be used or say Squier on the headstock. Squier has come a long way with the VM and CV lines.
The bottom line is, you don't have to buy a Fender, no one is holding your doggie hostage till you buy a Fender. If the demand plummets, Fender will rethink their strategy. But IMHO, Fender will be just fine and they will still sell many instruments.
And maybe, just maybe folks will see the 10,000 other brands out there that make great basses for equal or less money with equal or better quality than Fender.
Don't get me wrong, I love Fender, and Squier but there are other fish in the sea too.
A guy can still get a Fender for under 400, but it will either be used or say Squier on the headstock. Squier has come a long way with the VM and CV lines.
The bottom line is, you don't have to buy a Fender, no one is holding your doggie hostage till you buy a Fender. If the demand plummets, Fender will rethink their strategy. But IMHO, Fender will be just fine and they will still sell many instruments.
And maybe, just maybe folks will see the 10,000 other brands out there that make great basses for equal or less money with equal or better quality than Fender.
Don't get me wrong, I love Fender, and Squier but there are other fish in the sea too.
