Hey guys, just wondering. If i was to shop at guitar centre or any other music shop in the states would i expect to pay less or more then the music123 or musiciansfreinds price. I as k this because i am coming to the states at the end of the year and i want to buy a fender custom shop bass, and another musicman sterling. Cheers heaps in advance
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For you Americans
- Thread starter felch182
- Start date
Depends, really. I know the G.C. nearest me will beat any online e-tailer's price. Of course, I've been buying there for ages, and have quite a history with them, so that might have something to do with it.
+1 if you're a good customer, know the manager you can get some awesome deals. Just off the street, no history, salesman with no authority, they'll just be able to match what you bring in in writing.
You may save state sales tax by ordering over the net but may have to pay shipping that cancels the savings. Ordering over the net can get you merchandise which hasn't been hanging in a store to get manhandeled. The trade-off there is that on-line merchants don't do set ups and retailers often give you one free setup with their technician. So, it's a process of weighing all the variables. My recent purchase was the Fender Geddy Lee base. It was $699 everywhere on the net. I bought it at a Sam Ash retailer who had it ticketed for $699 but knocked off $30 because it was hanging up rather than in a box--although flawless. He also gave me $125 trade in value on a Korean Steinberger copy (which I bought new for $250 in 1990). Plus, I get me free set up.
I ordered one guitar over the net and was able to save quite a bit though. It was from American Musical Supply. They shipped me a Parker NiteFly-M unopened from Parker. But low and behold it had a dent on the top from the factory. I called up and complained and American Musical Supply sent me a second Parker without waiting for the first one to be returned. I thought that was stellar--really. It was a factory flaw--not their flaw--and they immediately took care of me without making me wait until the return was sent back. I recommend checking them out.
I ordered one guitar over the net and was able to save quite a bit though. It was from American Musical Supply. They shipped me a Parker NiteFly-M unopened from Parker. But low and behold it had a dent on the top from the factory. I called up and complained and American Musical Supply sent me a second Parker without waiting for the first one to be returned. I thought that was stellar--really. It was a factory flaw--not their flaw--and they immediately took care of me without making me wait until the return was sent back. I recommend checking them out.
Just so you know, Guitar Center owns Musician's Friend, so GC will match any MF price. You can avoid sales tax and shipping cost with MF if you buy over $100 (afaik). On the other hand, GC will lower their prices a bit on most items if you ask. For instance, I bought a used Ampeg B100R combo amp this weekend. It was tagged at $279.99, I asked if they'd take $290 including tax (knocking off about $13), and they agreed.
So the short answer is that the prices will be very similar between big online stores and Guitar Center.
So the short answer is that the prices will be very similar between big online stores and Guitar Center.
This confuses me, I was just at my [not so local] G.C. looking for a cheap P/J bass (one of the $180 onces they carry, such as the Yamahas or Ibanez) and they wouldn't let me bargain it down claiming it was some "new policy starting back in november." Anyone else heard anything about this?
If that's true, It won't last long or the Internet will put them out of business. They already have a problem with people trying out instruments there and then going home and ordering them on the net. A GC guy posted that here pointing out that as a reason they couldn't keep good salesmen. It was frustrating them. We have a high sales tax here, even if they match the price but charge me tax, it's worth it to go home and order it. Some lines they have pricing agreements with the manufacturer on and can't deal on.
The "new policy" sounds like bs to me.
In my experience I can usually get items at GC for less than e-tailers - you just have to talk to the right people and convince them you'll buy it tody if the price is right.
Last year, i bought a head and cabinet at GC they had for $1600 (same price at MF). I got it for $1300 (out the door).
There are some high-turn-over items they will not come down on - i bought a DW double bass pedal for my son and could not get any off the regular price. They don't get that many of them in and they're usually gone in a day or two.
In my experience I can usually get items at GC for less than e-tailers - you just have to talk to the right people and convince them you'll buy it tody if the price is right.
Last year, i bought a head and cabinet at GC they had for $1600 (same price at MF). I got it for $1300 (out the door).
There are some high-turn-over items they will not come down on - i bought a DW double bass pedal for my son and could not get any off the regular price. They don't get that many of them in and they're usually gone in a day or two.
SOme of it depends on the brand. MesaBoogie does no discounts ever, so what it is tagged at is what it sells for. OTOH, I got my 1001RB, tagged at $750, for $600 out the door.
I've personally had better luck online. I bought a new PRS guitar online for $2000 back in 02' that GC was selling for $2499.00 so I gave them first option to match and they passed. They did match an amp though for me and it's still a nice place to pick up strings, and other assorted goodies.
If you like to haggle and get free accessories, then its good to go to Guitar Center.
If you find something on display that is still nice, but people have played it, then you have the upper hand. Especially if the salesman is lazy and doesn't want to hunt in the back. I help my buds all the time when they go to buy instruments. They always leave with some good stuff if they take the display model.
A gig bag is always in order, and don't accept it if its one of those paper thin crappy ones with no pockets, tell them they can do better. Second, you can always get a set of strings, if its guitar they'll give ya 2 sets usually. Picks sometimes. You can usually get a strap too, nothing too fancy, or good, but enough to keep you until you can buy a nice one later. Get an in store setup, and battery changes as well. All that, and you can usually still pay under the listed price.
If you find something on display that is still nice, but people have played it, then you have the upper hand. Especially if the salesman is lazy and doesn't want to hunt in the back. I help my buds all the time when they go to buy instruments. They always leave with some good stuff if they take the display model.
A gig bag is always in order, and don't accept it if its one of those paper thin crappy ones with no pockets, tell them they can do better. Second, you can always get a set of strings, if its guitar they'll give ya 2 sets usually. Picks sometimes. You can usually get a strap too, nothing too fancy, or good, but enough to keep you until you can buy a nice one later. Get an in store setup, and battery changes as well. All that, and you can usually still pay under the listed price.
I was told that when an instrument gets returned for some reason to a manufacturer, they send them out again to the on line sellers. Of course, a local retailer told me that, so a grain of salt is likely appropriate.
I wouldn't be surprised. I don't know how Parker could have shipped that "new" NiteFly-M I bought with such an obvious ding right on the face (top). I looked like someone bounced a jack off it really hard. They probaly snuck it into the on0line steam hoping to get away with it. I didn't accept that. My on-line vendor, American Music Supply, sent me a replacement without waiting for the return though. So, for a few days I had two of the same Parker.
There's really only two reasons to buy a new bass at a physical store, trying before you buy and dickering on price. You're going back to Oz (?) so follow-up service is irrelevant.
If you already know what model you want, I'd order it shipped to the hotel for the day you arrive. MF and some other etailers will ship free and you avoid sales tax. Stores have to charge tax, out of state etailers don't. If it doesn't play like you want ship it back and head to the store. You can always go to the stores anyway to see what they've got, and if you tell them you're still deciding on sending the MF bass back they might try really hard to beat the price.
Of course it is! Opened items that have been damaged in any way are sold as blems, or blemished items. I'm sure they sell returns as new sometimes, but if they do, they're not damaged in any way, so no real harm done IMHO.
Except that when dealing with some items, guitars, for example, there can be a lot of variability within some product lines. There may be a lot of difference in playability between two supposedly identical guitars.
Keep in mind that there is a lot more bargaining room when you are looking for a discount on an $1800 bass versus a $180 bass. Even an $18 discount on that $180 bass is 10%. The margin is so much smaller on those $180 dollar basses. They make most of their money there with the extras (need a strap with that? Maybe some strings? A tuner?, etc.)
GC and MF have the same owners but they are two separate companies (otherwise MF would have to charge you sales tax if you live in a state that has a GC). I would avoid M123 for now b/c they are/were in bankruptcy. I also don't think I'd buy a custom shop Fender online unless is was from one of the more reputable dealers (not where the stock person just goes and grabs the next box on the shelf).
I've had good luck with negotiating with BassCentral on a good bass. The higher end basses have more room for negotiation.
Bass Central rules, hands down. If you're anywhere near Central Florida, it's a must that you stop in there and meet the crew.
Another question, would you have to declare the guitar when you bring it back in to the UK ?? Or could you just take an empty bass case and load it up in the states and just put it on the plane as hold luggage ?
