New "FENDER DIRECT" article

[2cooltoolz]

I realize this has little to do with the price of corn in Cambodia, but:

I've owned 11 Fender basses. I still own 5. I've never bought a new one, and can't imagine doing so.

On the other hand, Musician's Friend is my "Go To" for accessories. Free shipping and no sales tax to Texas. If Fender went under tomorrow, it wouldn't bother me a bit, except from the nostalgia POV, but then even Leo bailed on them in the mid 60s. Just hope they don't take MF down with them.

Hey Fender!!! Remember CBS??

 

[jwj1701]

Soooooo, no more experimental models…except for the ones you personally like?

No. I'm just saying that for every one that's successful the ratio for failure is probably higher just for the number of different models they experiment with. Were all just speculating on how they should run their business anyway. There's many suggestions on what to do besides cutting out your local dealers. If the speculation about buying into the brand turns out to be true, we may only get to physically try out a fender at GC, Sam Ash, etc etc...

 

[stonewall]

I think Fender is one of the few brands where the people who are the biggest customers won't think twice about buying before trying.

I have tried many a fender bass that i would never buy. No two have ever felt the same to me.Feel tone and appearance if i dont love all three i dont buy it.OMG i cant imagine buying a bass online it arrives and i dont like the feel of it NO WAY....I will pay more to by at my local dealer if i want new if thats an option otherwise i will buy a used fender.

 

[Iridescentone]

I think that lots of impulse folks will buy them and sell them used, just as they do now - and THOSE we'll see in the hands of guys like you and me. If I had a mind to get a Fender J bass, I'd buy one used in a heartbeat because I know that if it was "meh", I could resell it for what I paid. Not so much with a new MF / Sweetwater bass.

Returning a "meh" instrument to MF or Sweetwater is exponentially easier/faster than re-selling a used item on CL, ebay, TB classifieds, consignment in a store, etc.

For me, it's usually cheaper too. I'd rather eat the small return shipping cost than jump through the hoops that come with selling used gear.

 

[petrus61]

I have tried many a fender bass that i would never buy. No two have ever felt the same to me.Feel tone and appearance if i dont love all three i dont buy it.OMG i cant imagine buying a bass online it arrives and i dont like the feel of it NO WAY....I will pay more to by at my local dealer if i want new if thats an option otherwise i will buy a used fender.

I would rather take the chance on ordering the model/color of my choosing sent right to my door at no extra cost. I'm willing to pay less for convenience knowing there's a solid return policy to back it up.

 

[Wootenjr304]

Of if they finance the inventory that's $1500 over two years at 5% as an example. Do they float their own inventory then?

That I can't answer

 

[stonewall]

I would rather take the chance on ordering the model/color of my choosing sent right to my door at no extra cost. I'm willing to pay less for convenience knowing there's a solid return policy to back it up.[/Q

I have no problem with people(middle man) making a living.To each there own i respect your opinion.