Getting a new Ibanez not available in your country?

Hi TBers,

After a lot of searching for my next bass, I've settled on a particular Ibanez model. However, I live in Canada, and on the Canadian Ibanez website, this particular bass is not shown, but it is shown on the USA Ibanez website.

I have noticed that a well-known Canadian music chain does have this model listed in stock on its website, but it appears that they have only one of them. I cannot afford this bass today, but I'll be able to in a few months, but I'm worried that it may have been sold by then and no further ones will be available in Canada.

Out of curiosity, I have tried to order it from US internet retailers and they all state they won't ship it to Canada.

Have any of you tried to order an Ibanez product not available in your country, but in a neighboring one, and was able to contact Ibanez and have them work out a way for you to get it?

It seems like the Canadian distributor only works within Canada, and I'm not sure if this is something they'd be able to do without going to Ibanez themselves.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Yeah, I was surprised by this as well. I figured someone would allow it but I've tried at least a dozen different places and they all block it.

Thanks, but I'm not too comfortable disclosing the model at this point... I'm not certain how the Canadian retailer has one in stock, and I don't want cause too much of a stir just in case.

 

I think it's a stock item as there's one available on their website, though I haven't seen one in my local store.

Thanks Diabolus, that is a good idea. If in a few months, it is no longer available, I'll ask the retailer to talk to the Ibanez distributor. I would prefer to go through them to give them the business.

Also, I do have some family in the US that I can get it shipped to, who can then relay it to me... It just seems like a bit of a pain in the butt, but if that's my only option I'll have to go that way.

 

Thanks Baird. I'm not too sure why I felt the need to be secretive... The retailer is L&M.

I've checked and their financing is 1.42% every month (compound-interest) for 12-months financing. If it was 0%, I'd have no problem with it... Though they do have a 0% interest promotion for 90 days which ends on the new year. I'm not 100% sure I'll have the money together by the end of March, though I should be close. I think I'll head into the store and talk this over with them... Maybe we can work something out.

That is good to know that they can get it from the Far East. Anyways, I'll head into the store in a bit and see what happens. Thanks.

 

Thanks Baird... I'm heading into the Markham location this afternoon!

 

Not the Markham location... They're open 12-5. I think they're the only one though. Thankfully that's my local store anyway as I live 10 minutes away.

 

LOL... Seems like you know the one.. I tried out the 4 string model and spent about 2 hours yesterday A/Bing it to the Prestige version and it was definitely more to my tastes... The passive tone had more output and clarity, likely thanks to the Nordy's.

 

Thanks for the tip Baird... I live in Stouffville, so we're nearly neighbours.

 

Yeah, I liked the Barts, but there are times when I'll be trying to go for more of a 70's 4001 Ric tone (ala Geddy Lee). I feel like this one would be better suited for that.

Plus, I'll usually pick a clearer tone anway... I usually find it easier to dial in a round, warm tone than a sharp, clear one.

 

Thanks everyone for your help, but it seems that I worried too much.

Dan wasn't in, but the person I talked to checked and there are 12 of them in stock (only one in an Ontario location, but a few in other stores around the country, and 6 in the warehouse).

I'll just keep an eye on the stock. I should be able to buy it outright in April sometime. If the stock gets low then I may have to look into financing it or something.

BTW, the model is an SR1806:



http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_...4&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=49&color=CL01

 

Wow, I like that... It looks like a great mix between classic and modern.

I don't quite understand why companies don't have all of their products available everywhere. Sure, I understand stores/distributors not stocking all, even most models, but they should still be available if someone wants to buy and is willing to wait.