• 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.

Roscoe Pricing Update

RocketMusic

RocketMusic

Gold Supporting Member
Commercial User
Oct 31, 2007
10,754
8,928
Blacksburg, VA
www.rocketmusic.net
Disclosures
Owner, Rocket Music
#1
Roscoe announced a slight pricing strategy change today, and I expect you'll see it roll out to all of their dealers over the next few days. My site has already been updated with the new prices, so I wanted to quickly get the word out to you (since my prices now LOOK higher). Roscoe has introduced a Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) that is 80% of List. So as of today (or sometime within the next week or so, realistically), no dealer can advertise his Roscoe basses for less than 80% of the List Price.

That said, dealers are now allowed to discount a bit off the newly increased "advertised" prices down to a floor (called the Minimum Sale Price, or MSP). And guess what? Today's Minimum Sale Price is identical to yesterday's Minimum Sale Price. So prices have not, in fact, gone up, it just looks that way. :eek:

You can access the Minimum Sale Price on any Roscoe bass on my site just by adding it to the shopping cart. The bass appears in the cart at the higher MAP price, but a discount appears below that and drops the overall price back to the older, lower price. :bassist:

The Century Standard basses are the lone exception. They continue to have the one and only one price (THE Price).

I apologize if this has caused any confusion, particularly to those of you with a custom order in process. Rest assured, your prices have not changed.

Of course, I did a lot of typing and multiplying today. I'm hoping I made no mistakes, but I won't promise that. If you see something out of sorts, please let me know!
 
#4
LilRay said:
Strange pricing strategy. Makes more work for dealers. What's the supposed advantage?
Click to expand...

Oh, you run into several sterotypical kinds of buyers after you've done retail long enough. And one of those stereotypes is the guy who absolutely will not buy something until the dealer comes off the price a bit. This policy lets dealers placate that kind of guy to some degree.

For the rest of us who just want the bass and are happy as long as we get the same deal as everyone else (no better, no worse), well we can take care of you guys, too. I prefer to deal in that realm myself, that way my customer service is what sets me apart (hopefully in a positive way).

I imagine that would be the main complaint Roscoe gets from dealers who aren't digging the MSP policy (usually when they hit a rough patch and can't sell some basses for a little while). When you can't knock anything off, you're pretty well stuck with the bass until the right guy walks through the door (or checks out your site). That can be an uncomfortable place to be in economic times like these.
 
#5
Greg, thanks for posting about it, for everyone else, there's a bit more info here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577235

Sorry for any confusion, but the reality is that the price has not increased a bit in the "real world".

One thing that Greg didn't mention is the "new" model that just became available :ninja: :

The Century 4/5/6/7 model!

:hyper:

Now, if you dig the Century body, but want something "fancier" than the Century standard, but can't afford the Century Signature, you got it.

It's priced just like the LG and SKB, has all the same features and options.

:)
 
#8
RocketMusic said:
Oh, you run into several sterotypical kinds of buyers after you've done retail long enough. And one of those stereotypes is the guy who absolutely will not buy something until the dealer comes off the price a bit. This policy lets dealers placate that kind of guy to some degree.
Click to expand...

The proverbial Pawnbroker technique:D. I've never understood the theory of knocking off a selling price. Cat and Mouse to get to the bottom of things.:rolleyes:

For the rest of us who just want the bass and are happy as long as we get the same deal as everyone else (no better, no worse), well we can take care of you guys, too. I prefer to deal in that realm myself, that way my customer service is what sets me apart (hopefully in a positive way).

I imagine that would be the main complaint Roscoe gets from dealers who aren't digging the MSP policy (usually when they hit a rough patch and can't sell some basses for a little while). When you can't knock anything off, you're pretty well stuck with the bass until the right guy walks through the door (or checks out your site). That can be an uncomfortable place to be in economic times like these.
Click to expand...


I understand being able to discount the items that sit and aren't moving, be they oddities or because of the economic slump. But I like the Century Standard pricing. The price is the price. This way I don't have to look like a jerk to the salesperson, the salesperson doesn't have to worry of "discounting" his profit etc. No worries of "Did I get the best price or did the salesman get one over on me":confused: No Haggle, No confusion, No BS:). I can buy something and remain friends with the salesperson.


Now used is completely different:ninja::D

God Bless, Ray
 
#9
LilRay said:
I understand being able to discount the items that sit and aren't moving, be they oddities or because of the economic slump. But I like the Century Standard pricing. The price is the price. This way I don't have to look like a jerk to the salesperson, the salesperson doesn't have to worry of "discounting" his profit etc. No worries of "Did I get the best price or did the salesman get one over on me":confused: No Haggle, No confusion, No BS:). I can buy something and remain friends with the salesperson.
Click to expand...

Amen, Brother Ray!!

I'm a terrible haggler, and I always feel akward doing it (both as a retailer and as a customer in someone else's store). It's funny, I actually installed a bar code scanner on our cash register a few months ago (welcome to 1982, Rocket Music!!) just because that makes prices seem more firm. You might not believe this, but I'd have people haggle with me on string prices... come on, dude, it's $5!!!! How much do you think I actually make on a $5 sale?!?!?! :scowl:

I understand things are tough all over, but a brotha's gotta eat! :D
 
#11
VroomVroom said:
Reason #1,612 why I couldn't work in a retail environment, but wholly admire those who have the patience and good nature to NOT strangle idiots who don't get it. :D
Click to expand...

Hehe...

I sell motorcycles, new ones. And those price hunters are the worst people.

Got one in the store yesterday.
Man was interested in a certain bike. But he tells me he saw this bike at another dealership with a salesprice that is 350€ less.
First... I suspect every pricehunter of lying... it's not possible that another Honda dealer sells it for 350 less, cause then he'd be giving the motorcycle away... not taking any profit, in fact it would cost the other dealer money.

I told that person right to his face (in a friendly way): "if I would have to sell these motorcycles at that price, I'd stay in bed in the morning, cause than I'd make more money."


I don't know how it is in a music store... but I can imagine the stuff Greg gets to deal with.
I'm also a salesman.
 
#12
Yep, I bet motorcycles are every bit as bad for that as music stores. Automobiles, real estate and music stores seem to be the last holdouts for serious haggling. I was thinking about this thread as I walked into 7-11 this morning. It would never occur to me to haggle over the price I paid for my Dr. Pepper...

There are two kinds of music stores that I see today (at least here in my town): there's the old school ones that tag everything at full retail and will take it if they can get it, and then there are the younger, more internet savvy stores that price everything at the Internet Price (usually called MAP, Minimum Advertised Price). The old school guys are basically demanding that you haggle, or they're gonna take you for a ride. Or the third option that they fail to see if that they're never going to earn your business because you're walking out the door silently thinking "these guys are jerks".

The internet priced guys like me can't afford to haggle in a big way. We already gave up all that negotiable margin when we put the Internet Price on the tag instead of List Price. But as far as I'm concerned, that's fantasy margin to begin with when you start from the assumption that you're dealing with smart, informed customers.
 
#13
RocketMusic said:
Yep, I bet motorcycles are every bit as bad for that as music stores. Automobiles, real estate and music stores seem to be the last holdouts for serious haggling. I was thinking about this thread as I walked into 7-11 this morning. It would never occur to me to haggle over the price I paid for my Dr. Pepper...

There are two kinds of music stores that I see today (at least here in my town): there's the old school ones that tag everything at full retail and will take it if they can get it, and then there are the younger, more internet savvy stores that price everything at the Internet Price (usually called MAP, Minimum Advertised Price). The old school guys are basically demanding that you haggle, or they're gonna take you for a ride. Or the third option that they fail to see if that they're never going to earn your business because you're walking out the door silently thinking "these guys are jerks".

The internet priced guys like me can't afford to haggle in a big way. We already gave up all that negotiable margin when we put the Internet Price on the tag instead of List Price. But as far as I'm concerned, that's fantasy margin to begin with when you start from the assumption that you're dealing with smart, informed customers.
Click to expand...

hehe,

It's the same here. :)

a guessing game for you:

a) I sell a Honda Goldwing (I assume you know this one)
b) I sell 3 top of the line helmets

On wich sale do I have the most (instant) profit?



On some items or products I choose not to follow the MAP.

But then I have certain products, that I move a lot, where I go really low and kill the competition who also want to offer those brands and products.

I look at what kind of customers I have, what they want, and on my most demanded products, the strongpoints, I give the best deals.



I guess it's the same with you I assume.

Take Roscoe for example: if you're only able to sell only one Roscoe a year, you wouldn't bother giving huge discount on them.
If you can move large numbers... it's worth to keep that up and been known to be a good overall dealer for that product.
 
#14
RocketMusic said:
It would never occur to me to haggle over the price I paid for my Dr. Pepper...
Click to expand...
I thought you drank Bud Light? What are you ruining your innards with DP for?:smug::D.

BTW My Pop put the roof on the main Dr. Pepper plant in Dallas when I was little. We got to get some DP in the glass bottles(remember those?) right as they were coming off the line. They were almost frozen, and on a August day in Dallas that was great. That was some of the best soda I've ever drank. Before or since:)

There are two kinds of music stores that I see today (at least here in my town): there's the old school ones that tag everything at full retail and will take it if they can get it, and then there are the younger, more internet savvy stores that price everything at the Internet Price (usually called MAP, Minimum Advertised Price). The old school guys are basically demanding that you haggle, or they're gonna take you for a ride. Or the third option that they fail to see if that they're never going to earn your business because you're walking out the door silently thinking "these guys are jerks".

The internet priced guys like me can't afford to haggle in a big way. We already gave up all that negotiable margin when we put the Internet Price on the tag instead of List Price. But as far as I'm concerned, that's fantasy margin to begin with when you start from the assumption that you're dealing with smart, informed customers.
Click to expand...

The older stores and places like GC and "Mega Chain" IMO prey on the parents of kids buying their first axes and take an advantage of uninformed customers.

I do price shop to a degree when it comes to "big ticket" items but browbeating someone over $5 is stupid. I'd much rather hack on them at a later date:smug:. Makes life more interesting.:D

The way I like to handle the situation is to say X company is selling that for this price, that's the best price I've found. Can you match prices? If no, how close can you get? You'll usually be able to tell those who give an honest answer vs those who are full of it.

On a side note, Greg I think you're a stand up cat and I will be buying from you when I can.

You've at least made an effort to inform your customers of the Roscoe Pricing Update. Which is more than can be said of the other Roscoe dealers on TB:hiding::)

:)God Bless, Ray
 
#15
LilRay said:
BTW My Pop put the roof on the main Dr. Pepper plant in Dallas when I was little. We got to get some DP in the glass bottles(remember those?) right as they were coming off the line. They were almost frozen, and on a August day in Dallas that was great. That was some of the best soda I've ever drank. Before or since:)
Click to expand...

Now, roofing is man's work! I've done a few in my time, and I'll be just fine if I never have to do it again, thank you very much. I bet that DP did taste about as good as anything can taste.

LilRay said:
The older stores and places like GC and "Mega Chain" IMO prey on the parents of kids buying their first axes and take an advantage of uninformed customers.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Makes my skin crawl. I've seen guys tag team moms with the "let me check with my manager" schtick... ewwww. That is why I refuse to call myself a salesman...

LilRay said:
On a side note, Greg I think you're a stand up cat and I will be buying from you when I can.
Click to expand...

Well thank you very much for saying that. With or without a future order :)
 
#16
Just a quick update. There's a Roscoe dealer out there who has decided to no longer be a Roscoe dealer. As a result, they are currently advertising that they are selling their remaining Roscoe inventory for less than the Minimum Sale Price (their site says "Call For Price"). I wanted to let ya'll know this for two reasons:

1) I'm not being an a**hole when I refuse to match their prices. I CAN'T match their prices and remain a Roscoe dealer. Sorry!!

2) This is a limited opportunity for you guys (while their supplies last!) to grab a new Roscoe for less than MSP. Take advantage, and then come get the next one from me :)
 
#18
Ahhh, they just made a biz decision based on their particular situation. Their loss, my gain down the road is how I see it. But I'm sure they think it's a good move for them, too, or they wouldn't have done it.

I'm just waiting for the economy to take an upswing, and it will sooner or later regardless of what the gov't does or doesn't do.
 
#20
I used to work in a Staples, Electronic dep., was the worst job ever, crazy boss pushing us to be crazy scamming bags, they were harassing me so I sell more extended warranty's (I refused to sell those so they cut my hours down...wow) I never could bring myself down to that level, selling things people do not need and putting warranty scams on the top...never

I was the type of employee telling the people, that there was x,y,z in the next sale that would make them save, trying to figure what they really needed, and etc. Boss Didn't liked, they've cut my hours...I've quit.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back