FENDER raised their prices on Squiers

[40Hz]

you have that backwords. prices are raised to compensate for wages.

Tell that to corporations.

 

[40Hz]

Testing the price elasticity I'd guess.

If sales stay the same, they were leaving money on the table. If demand drops they'll just roll the prices back.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

 

[SonnyBassPlayer]

February is that month of the year when most company raise their price lists. A dealer of my town told me that last year, Italian prices have been raised 3 times during the year. So yeah, it sadly happens.
Sure, if a Bronco here gets to 300 euros in two years, they won't really sell many of them....

 

[Lammchop93]

gotta keep up with inflation. Even though inflation is low, there still is some.

 

[mel0dic.bassist]

Seriously.. A local store here is selling a Squier '72 Thinline Telecaster for $609.99 CDN.. $610 FOR A SQUIER?!?!?!

My step-father purchased a beautifully mint MIM version of the same guitar for barely $400 a few years ago.. Moreover, the same MIM Precisions/Jazzes were selling for $629.99 new at the same store about a year ago.. now they're $799.99 for the same instrument.. No increase in quality control, quality of materials, warranty, etc, etc, etc.. Why the huge increase?

I understand "it's just the economy and how it works," but this dollar thing needs to change, we can't do anything anymore in Canada without sacrificing a kidney or first-born.

 

[Rogatien022]

Seriously.. A local store here is selling a Squier '72 Thinline Telecaster for $609.99 CDN.. $610 FOR A SQUIER?!?!?!

My step-father purchased a beautifully mint MIM version of the same guitar for barely $400 a few years ago.. Moreover, the same MIM Precisions/Jazzes were selling for $629.99 new at the same store about a year ago.. now they're $799.99 for the same instrument.. No increase in quality control, quality of materials, warranty, etc, etc, etc.. Why the huge increase?

I understand "it's just the economy and how it works," but this dollar thing needs to change, we can't do anything anymore in Canada without sacrificing a kidney or first-born.

That's why I say go used. I'll never fork out 799$ CAN for a MiM, it doesn't make any sense. But, it is what it is, it's business and businesses are out there to make profit. It's all up to you to do whatever you want with your money: some will still buy brand new, some won't. There is no right or wrong.

But you got choices, take a good look on your local Kijiji or CL, you'll see MiM Precison and/or Jazz for 300-350$ CAN all day long. Can't argue with capitalism, if I was in their pants I'd probably do the same because it is business and I would want to make money, more money. But in the end, you always have the choice, it's up to you.

I'm just staying objective here and just focusing on the choices that people have. You could yell at clouds forever but this is how it works. It's not only instruments, it's food, clothing, etc.

 

[Sandman64]

New year usually means new higher prices! You gotta love progress. lol

 

[BrentD]

The Jaguar and Jazzmaster guitars in the VM range went from $299 to $399.

 

[cheechi]

I'm one bass away from being Fender free, so you decide which side of the fence I'm on. Personally I don't think I have a particular agenda saying this;

I'd still rather have a MIM Fender and upgrade it myself, than a CV or VM Squier. Of course you have to play to find the right one, but when isn't that true anyway?

 

[johnson79]

Seriously.. A local store here is selling a Squier '72 Thinline Telecaster for $609.99 CDN.. $610 FOR A SQUIER?!?!?!

My step-father purchased a beautifully mint MIM version of the same guitar for barely $400 a few years ago.. Moreover, the same MIM Precisions/Jazzes were selling for $629.99 new at the same store about a year ago.. now they're $799.99 for the same instrument.. No increase in quality control, quality of materials, warranty, etc, etc, etc.. Why the huge increase?

I understand "it's just the economy and how it works," but this dollar thing needs to change, we can't do anything anymore in Canada without sacrificing a kidney or first-born.

I was surprised to see that the Canadian dollar is so much higher than the US. I remember it used to be a lot closer. Now it's something like .72 US to 1.00 CAN.

 

[AltGrendel]

Squires haven't been around for a while.

No, they're still around: So, you wanna be a Squire?

 

[mdogs]

I understand "it's just the economy and how it works," but this dollar thing needs to change, we can't do anything anymore in Canada without sacrificing a kidney or first-born.

I don't understand the problem? If you listen to a number of people around here, the Squires should be at least $2000...so that first born or kidney ought to be a reasonable sacrifice.

 

[Chico Ruger]

I was surprised to see that the Canadian dollar is so much higher than the US. I remember it used to be a lot closer. Now it's something like .72 US to 1.00 CAN.

I believe you have that backwards. The Canadian $ has plunged versus the US$ over the last year or so; falling oil prices being the main culprit. Even if Fender kept their prices the same their products would have to be resold at a much higher rate in Canada due to the weak Canadian $.

These things tend to be cyclical. Back in the 90s the Canadian $ was valued significantly higher than the US$; about 12% higher if memory serves me correctly.

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Squires haven't been around for a while.

THANK YOU.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Been looking at the normal websites and seems like the Squiers prices went up 20.00, especially the Vintage modifieds and Classic Vibes...

Rumble 500 went up a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Fender follows TB, and they have seen the threads on VM's rivaling the quality of Am Standards, so it was inevitable. Considering they probably sell 15 VM's to every one Am Standard, it was the more profitable price hike.

Yeah we gotta stop talking up good gear in this forum.
Where's that guy who hates every Squier he's ever owned?

 

[cheechi]

These things tend to be cyclical. Back in the 90s the Canadian $ was valued significantly higher than the US$; about 12% higher if memory serves me correctly.

Usually books were $1 more in CAD and many other things were $0.09 more, was interesting to try to put a % on it.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I was reading that a little inflation is good for the economy. Not sure I understand that since my wages are locked for eternity by my corporate overlord. Thank goodness for those $50 weekend gigs to help pay my taxes!

They didn't say YOUR economy.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Used Squiers are still 99 bucks at Guitar Center. And then after they raise those prices, they'll still be 99 bucks on Craigslist. Forever.

I though CL was where guitars went to cost more used than they did new?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Except in real life, the quality never ever came close. I say that as someone who has owned multiple VM, CV and AmStd basses. The VM's and CV's are great, but not anywhere near MIA great despite what a few misguided souls may have convinced themselves of. The idea of a $400 Squier defeats the whole point of "Squier" for me, so if Fender feels the need to push them into that price tier, it won't be my dollar supporting it.

You'll buy a real Fender. That'll show 'em.