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Way too expensive?

#4
Is that US dollars? That seems insane to me.

You can buy a new Stingray in the states for ~$1300, so even if you paid $500 to ship it, that's still far less than what you're seeing. I have to believe Bass Central or any of the bigger bass shops can deal with international shipping for less than that. Granted, you don't get to try it out first, but with Stingrays, Fenders, etc., you can count on fairly consistent manufacturing.

I have to believe you could potentially save $1000 by dealing with a US store.
 
#5
Well, those are the prices in Denmark, remember we have the highest import tax in Europe (although a few other countries come close).

$2,000 for a Fender Jazz is not a high price at all, and Stingrays are normally closer to $3,000. When you see lower prices online, remember that many shops in the US won't sell internationally, and if they do, shipping is expensive and you have to pay 29 % taxes on top of both the price of the bass and shipping - and you can't just take the bass to the shop for free repairs, adjustments, etc.

Still, if a few hundred dollars saved means the world to you, with the current weak dollar you can save some by importing from the US - you just can't try the bass out before you buy.
 
#6
an fender standard jazz is like 500, and american standard is like 1100

musiciansfriend.com will give you about what you should be paying for something in america. usually you can get it from a retailer for less than that, but its a pretty good gauge, except for hot items which tend to hold more value over longer time after their popularity drops (see: boss gt-6b)
 
#8
andymcclure said:
Is that US dollars? That seems insane to me.

You can buy a new Stingray in the states for ~$1300, so even if you paid $500 to ship it, that's still far less than what you're seeing. I have to believe Bass Central or any of the bigger bass shops can deal with international shipping for less than that. Granted, you don't get to try it out first, but with Stingrays, Fenders, etc., you can count on fairly consistent manufacturing.

I have to believe you could potentially save $1000 by dealing with a US store.
Click to expand...

Well, if shipping is $500 (a little high), then the price is (1,300+500)x1.29 = close to $2,400. Not much saved there, when you consider you can't try the bass first, there is a minor risk of damages during shipping, and you miss out on the after sale service the local shop provides.
 
#12
Unlike in America where instruments are directly shipped from manufacturer to retailer, in the rest of the world there is a distributor between them. So adding the distributor's profit + shipping costs + custom taxes + VAT (around 20% in Europe, depending on which country), and you're done.

Now, Denmark prices seem pretty cool. An SR4 in France (standard color, no option) lists at 2338 € (around $ 3,500). Well, not sure shipping, custom and VAT explain the whole of such a difference...
 
#15
Even with a 29% import tax, the Euro is worth 1.6 USD. Something does not make sense with the price. A bass costing $1000 USD would cost 625 Euros add 29% import tax, you are at 806.25 Euros. Add a few Euros for Transatlantic shipping and maybe you are at 900 +/- Euros.
Am I missing something?
American made instruments should be very attractive to our pals across the pond, price wise?
 
#17
You could always try to sweet-talk someone here on TB into shipping internationally. Buying used is the way to go anyway IMO.

You cut out the distributor and retailer markup. Shipping may be a bit more, but duties would be less due to the lower value of the used instrument. 0.29*1000=290 0.29*600=174
 
#18
I have posted on several threads about the crazy costs of basses. It is pretty insane that a bass is considered "Cheap" if it is under $1000 :eek:... My Fender AM. Deluxe V has a crazy list price and even more was my Modulus Genesis 5. This is not even figuring in the really expensive basses.
What is comes down to, however, is this, craftsmanship. Quality is the key. Hand made basses like Dingwall, Modulus and Alembic cost more to make and they ensue more quality craftsmanship. While more "production line" type basses have less "IN Hand" time, they are less expensive.
Notice I never said better...
 

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