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Negotiating GC for bass on wall for 2-3 years

LKdubby

LKdubby

Nov 2, 2007
377
0
Los Angeles
www.rkart.us
#1
A couple years ago I was posting around the forums when I was in search for my bass (which incidentally I ended up buying a Schecter 5'er from a member here on TB!). During that time I was visiting all the local music shops and had decided to try every bass on the wall, regardless of whether it cost $150 or $3500. I wanted to really feel & hear the difference of quality between all the different basses.

So, at that time there were some basses that were out of my price range, but that I really liked anyways.. One of those was the Modulus Quantum 5:
269528.jpg


The thing is, the bass pictured above has been hanging on the wall at my local GC for two or three years now with a fat price of $3200.. Do they ever reduce the price to get it out the door? I've never seen the price come down on the Quantum 5.. I was up at GC this afternoon and played on it for a minute. I mentioned to them that the bass has been sitting around for so long and that I wanted it but couldn't afford it.. They asked what I wanted to pay for it and I said a third of the price on the tag.. I don't think they were willing to go that low.. When I was playing it today I noticed that it hasn't been being cared for too well.. It was all smudgy and dirty and starting to accumulate scratches on the back side of the bass..

Anyways.. I like that graphite neck and crisp tones.. However to spend $3000 on a bass I feel like I better be damned sure it's the best bass (for me) for the money.. I'd consider financing it but have to clear some debt first..

I don't know if there's a point to my post.. I just don't have any bassist friends to talk to right now, or nobody who relates anyways.. Seemed like TB was the best place to share my bass blues..

Thanks for reading!
 
#4
It's true, I was just browsing the for sale section.. But to tell the truth I wasn't wanting to spend 3 grand back then, and not now either really! But if I were in a position to blow some more cash on a bass right now I'd come to TB first to see what's available..

Of course a TB purchase would mean all cash up front, most likely.. Where GC or another store can be done in payments..
 
#5
GC: Love 'em or hate 'em. Both actually. I was there tonight, returned an Ibanez SR700 which I decided I really didn't like. Had it in my head that I would trade up to a new Fender American Standard P. Why? No rational reason. Trophy. I will never be able to play it very well. I have the money, can afford it.

I look at the two American Ps they have hanging on the wall. One is black with maple fretboard, very nice. But it's scratched to hell on the back. The salesman warned me before he got the thing off the top of the wall that it was beat up. The other one was a sunburst with rosewood fretboard. Also scratched on the back. I'm like, ok, what's the scratch and dent discount? $75. That was it for the Ps.

Now who is going to pay $1125 for a new P that's all scratched up? Not me.

Why doesn't GC have new-in-box stock at their stores for the impulse buyer like me who wants new, now, and is willing to pay full price? "We can order it". Well I can order it anywhere and I know where to get it for 5% off (not a huge discount but better than a poke in the eye). So if I have to wait, I might as well get the 5%.

As far as I can tell pretty much everything hanging on that wall is no longer in "new in box" condition and should be marked down accordingly.

They took back the SR700, no hassle. That's what I love them for. But I walked out with nothing because they carry no new-in-box stock and the ones on the wall are damaged and not discounted enough to compensate fairly.
 
#6
LKdubby said:
A couple years ago I was posting around the forums when I was in search for my bass (which incidentally I ended up buying a Schecter 5'er from a member here on TB!). During that time I was visiting all the local music shops and had decided to try every bass on the wall, regardless of whether it cost $150 or $3500. I wanted to really feel & hear the difference of quality between all the different basses.

So, at that time there were some basses that were out of my price range, but that I really liked anyways.. One of those was the Modulus Quantum 5:
269528.jpg


The thing is, the bass pictured above has been hanging on the wall at my local GC for two or three years now with a fat price of $3200.. Do they ever reduce the price to get it out the door? I've never seen the price come down on the Quantum 5.. I was up at GC this afternoon and played on it for a minute. I mentioned to them that the bass has been sitting around for so long and that I wanted it but couldn't afford it.. They asked what I wanted to pay for it and I said a third of the price on the tag.. I don't think they were willing to go that low.. When I was playing it today I noticed that it hasn't been being cared for too well.. It was all smudgy and dirty and starting to accumulate scratches on the back side of the bass..

Anyways.. I like that graphite neck and crisp tones.. However to spend $3000 on a bass I feel like I better be damned sure it's the best bass (for me) for the money.. I'd consider financing it but have to clear some debt first..

I don't know if there's a point to my post.. I just don't have any bassist friends to talk to right now, or nobody who relates anyways.. Seemed like TB was the best place to share my bass blues..

Thanks for reading!
Click to expand...

The fact that they asked you what you'd be willing to pay for it is encouraging. Remember, cash is king during serious negotiations. Make sure they know you're serious if you start talking like you want to buy it. They know they're not going to sell this bass for $3,200, and you know they're not willing to part with it for $1K. Determine what your maximum offer can be, then ask to talk with someone that is authorized to talk price. Tell them you are interested in the bass, you know they've had it for a long time, and make what you'd consider to be a strong offer up front, not exhausting all of your money, but enough to show him you are serious. Be sure they know you'll be paying cash that day if you can reach a deal. Did I say that cash is king? Yes. And don't be afraid to shake hands and walk away if you can't get it for the right price. You may be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Good negotiating!
B'n'T
 
#7
About 4 years ago I spotted a new Pedulla Rapture 5 at a GC in San Francisco. I was surprised to see any high-end US made basses there. It had obviously been there a while, they were asking $2000. I made them an offer of $1700 and they took it. I knew these basses usually sell for a lot more, so I was surprised to see it.
 
#8
bigntasty speaks wisely. Cash rules and you have to make a realistic offer and show that you're serious. $1000 for a $3000 bass is not realistic (imho). They can probably get at least $2000 for it very easily if it has some cosmetic flaw but is otherwise ok. Maybe more. I've haggled with them now for several "scratch and dent" basses and 10% off seems to be where they draw the line, at least in my experience. They probably resist haggling more on the American Fenders though, which is understandable, but they need to be realistic too. ;)
 
#9
I agree with the above posters on the cash offer. Don't try negotiating unless you are willing to pay up front.

Their limitations with current policies and management probably dictate that they don't go lower than 25-30% off the list price. That's being realistic.

Sorry buddy! I know how you feel. I had a custom bass built for me a couple years ago and was very lucky price wise. Honestly I didn't feel I could afford a Smith that would cost anywhere from $2500-4000. I still can't. Not unless I am getting paid serious cash and can gig every weekend. I just can't justify any cost over $2,000 especially when I have a family to feed.

So...I really understand how you feel. I was ecstatic when I was able to buy my first Stratocaster. I negotiated that deal until the GC associate was about to pass out!

R...
 
#11
Thanks for the replies. BnT's words are very helpful and encouraging, as well as porteous, OldDog, and Rudyboy's! After I clear my current debt and save more cash I will be taking those words to heart as I go shopping for real!

3506string, I did see those used basses on the GC site, but wasn't as attracted to them as the red (vintageburst?) or (sunburst?).. I mean, ultimately the sound and how it feels in my hands is what I'm going for, but looks are important as well and I've been liking that red one!
 
#12
Ask 'em what they have in it. If it's been sitting for that long, that means they haven't made any $ off of it. All they did was pay someone for it and hang it on the wall. Offer them $1 over what they paid, they'll probably be happy to see it go.
 
#13
Is the bass new or used? After the years and the scratches, I'd consider it used. See what the going price is and offer that. If they won't take it, find another Modulus Q5. It's not like they are rare.
 
#14
if it were me, for this particular bass (assuming no issues) I'd be happy offer 2000, have the cash in my hand (take it out and show it to 'em), and be prepared to walk away if they don't take it...

It's just psychological, but the actual sight of real cash still tends to weaken people's resolve even in these days of electronic banking etc.
 
#15
If I had enough cash to make a solid offer, I'd base the offer on what GC is selling the other 2 for online.
Just tell 'em, I like the color on this one a little better but I can get the same bass in a different color from your company at a lower price. Come down into that range or I'll buy one of the others from a sister store-they'll get the sale and you wont!
 
#16
Questions to consider:
1. Has this model been discontinued?
2. What is the average street price? (Internet should be helpful, here.)
3. Was this bass new when it arrived at the GC location-where you demo'd it?
4. Can you determine what better 'used' examples of this bass have sold for recently?

From what I've learned about various stores, plenty of them (or the employees on the clock-there) are not particularly motivated to research any of the above questions for that bass, or others.
 
#18
A few years ago I picked up a NOS Fender Roscoe Beck IV from GC for $800 with case, out the door. It had been on the wall up high, out of reach, for over 2 years.

I just happened to catch them at the right time and got the bass for about 1/3rd the list price and half GC's normal advertised price. Certainly can't hurt to ask!
 
#19
KingRAW said:
Or the three years you been looking at it you could have had it in lay away well and paid off by now!
Click to expand...

As it turned out I did not have credit when I bought my bass, I only had $600 saved and GC did not want to finance me back then. I ended up buying a used bass of TB and have spent the last two years practicing (though not as regularly as I should). Since I bought my Schecter off of TB I haven't had much of a need/urge to buy another bass.. Even now it would totally be an impulse buy! But part of the difference between then and now is that now I DO have credit, but no real "need" to buy a bass, just a "want"!
 

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