• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How much will Guitar Center come down on a price ???

Davyo

Davyo

Davyo
Nov 26, 2008
943
360
Las Vegas, Nv
www.davyo.com
#1
I am specificly wanting to buy an Ampeg BA115HP from GC, yes I know they can be had online for a bit cheaper and I know GC can be talked down on prices,,, but by how much ?

I was wondering what deals others have gotten when tring to talk GC down from a price on an amp or anything else.

Would it help to wave cash in their face :cool:
Does it do any good to talk to a store manager ?

The BA115HP is currently selling for $549.00 at GC, what do you'all think I could talk them down to in price ?


Thanks in advance
Davyo
 
#2
GC's current business model is price matching. Just take in a print out of a cheaper on-line price and they'll match it.....at least at my local one they will.
Also, IME they will also knock off a percentage if you tell them you can get it for such and such price on-line and not have to pay sales tax....I've had 7% (my state sales tax) taken off of a price match a few times with that line of reasoning, especially if they've had a slow sales day.
 
#7
I agree with the general concencus and say that you should find a cheaper price online and take in the print-out. They'll match that price. As for talking them down, GC used to haggle, and you could talk down the price or have them throw in free goodies but as far as I've seen they don't allow this any more. The list price is the list price and that's all you'll get nowadays.
 
#8
Here's the official policy, from their website:

30 Day Lowest Price Guarantee

Our goal is your total satisfaction.

You're guaranteed the lowest price from Guitar Center. Period. If at any time within 30 days of your purchase from us, you find the identical item in stock and advertised by an authorized dealer at a price lower than what you paid, Guitar Center will fully protect you. Just bring in the ad, even if it's our own, along with your original Guitar Center receipt, and we'll gladly refund you 100% of the difference, plus another 10% of that difference. We will also do the same for you at the time of purchase. For Internet requests, please contact us at online support or call 1-866-498-7882.

For purposes of this offer, an "authorized U.S. dealer" includes only bona fide online or bricks and mortar retailers whose business is the sale of first quality musical instruments, equipment and accessories which are authorized by substantially all of the manufacturers whose items they sell, including the item at issue. Item must be advertised in a local or national paper, internet, magazine or catalogue by an authorized U.S. dealer. Discontinued merchandise, gray market merchandise, merchandise on which any identification codes or numbers have been removed or defaced, demo and exclusive models, floor samples, factory seconds, open box items, limited quantity items, closeouts, bundles, misprints, auctions and auction sites, rebates or deferred savings, outlet center items, free or promotional items, vintage and used merchandise, financing and taxes are all exempt. We reserve the right to limit quantities of price matched items. Photocopies of ads or receipts will not be accepted as verification.​

So, it looks like they will price match and give you some additional money to cover taxes (the 10%).
 
#9
The day after Christmas, I went to my local GC with $630 cash to purchase my beloved LMII. They were charging $600 for the head, and sales tax where I live is around 11%.
When they rang me up at the register, and it came out to like $670 and change. They wanted to give me their money right then and there, so they knocked about $35 off the head. It came out to exactly $630.
I think if someone walks into GC with cash in hand, they will do all they can to make the sale before they leave the store. Just like a car salesperson: Once the potential customer leaves the lot, there's only a 15% chance they'll come back. They want your money before you have the chance to give it to anyone else.
I hope this is at all helpful.
 
#10
ok good news and bad news

they changed policy to there is no haggling another words no going down on price unless with a manager approval

and they will not honor the price guarantee on used gear and non authorized dealers find an authorized dealer with a cheaper price if possibe

and here is the deal Ampeg's price is close to the dealer cost probably about 15% so there isn't much room to work on price wise neither is most of the basses/amps
 
#13
Those Ampeg combos are pretty high margin I believe - at least going by the resale value. They seem to lose about 50%+ the moment they leave the store and get worse. I had a very hard time getting 250 out of my 210SP.
 
#14
I agree with just about all that has been stated above.
Do your homework, they will price match.
And yes, get the mamager involved, if you can buy it from anyone for the going price let them know you will buy from them right now if they give you a better deal. I always start at 10% and go from there. I can't think of one time it was refused on larger ticket items.
Oh, the same tactic works at Sam Ash also.
 
#15
GC does not haggle any more. The old school days of waving cash in the face are over, they are simply not making enough money anymore to let 20 year olds take responsibility over pricing. They will price match almost anything you bring in if you are willing to buy it then. They do however have a big deal "list" sale (whatever that is supposed to mean) almost every weekend. Every time I have gone in on one of those they are more willing to cut a little off. Hope that helps.
 
#16
Going to Samash and getting a quote is a good way to get GC to come down too ;)

I have never bought anything over a hundred bucks and gotten less than 20% off at a music store. I start at 30% and go up to 20%, and if they don't take at least 20% off I go somewhere else that will.
 
#18
rbonner said:
There's a secret to getting "Good Deals" in any industry. It's a complicated process and if I told you the secret; I would have to "XXXX XX"

BOB
Click to expand...

HEHE...I know what you mean....:D

I dunno...everyone knows me at my local GC and I never have a problem getting a deal. Of course, I have dropped a boat load of money there in the past.....that's the LEAST they can do..:eek:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back