Will or can Guitar Center negotiate on used basses?

I have never paid asking price on any used bass I've ever purchased, whether it was from a pawn shop, Reverb, Craigslist, eBay, or any music store. Call them, be nice, don't demand a lower price and don't insult them with an offer that sucks.

 

Generally no, but that doesn’t mean they won’t.

 

End of the month is the best time to negotiate for anything. Many types of stores will do almost anything to goose up the months talley’s.

 

I've only negotiated in store on used gear at GC. This was a long time ago.

 

^^This^^ The website should say what store the item in question is located. Call that store directly, & just avoid the website.

 

Depends on the store.

 

Slight Segue --

Why are Cars, Guitars, and Kirby Vacuum Cleaners the only items which are socially acceptable items for bargaining? I truly do not understand. If I see a price listed on something (at a store); that's what that item costs. IMHO it is crass to try to pay less.

 

What guitars and cars have in common is that there are contracted producers and dealers. This fosters a bargaining atmosphere as often dealers want to unload inventory, but are prohibited from advertising below a certain price.

Bargaining is less common at instrument dealers than it is at car dealers, of course.

Anyway, you can definitely negotiate with GC for used gear. They may not always be willing to. Basically, they’re a network of stores owned by one company, so there’s not a huge incentive to lower the price when they have a website that lists everything.

Its much easier to negotiate on new gear as they’re always trying desperately to move inventory.

 

Yes, this; be reasonable and patient. Usually the bass has to be on the wall a month or so, and then you have leverage. They told me no because it had been there less than two weeks, the next week I called back during a sale and they worked with me.

 

Ooo, good point. I bought a Jaco awhile back & asked if they were firm on the price, seeing as how I had dropped about $1500 there within the previous month. They didn't budge a penny, saying "it's only been on the wall for 4 days".

 

As someone who's worked in a retail(ish) position for the last 5 years, you'd be amazed at the percentage of customers who try to negotiate! At least 50% ask if we offer a discount of some sort (we do for military members).

My dad is the KING! He's gotten a "good-looking guy" discount...because he asked for it! He can be quite charming, which is good. Because we're of German heritage. We have to have something to attract the ladies!

 

For used gear, it all hinges on what they paid for it....once they hit a certain point, it won’t go any lower

JB

 

Real Estate also.

But I hear you. In every one of those transactions, which should be personality type neutral, you come away with the item plus the label of a chump or ball breaker, both being disparaging.

Some cultures have it so everything is negotiatiated, I mean everything. It’s called haggling, and to not engage in it and pay what’s listed is considered insulting and a cultural offense.

 

I’ve had them discount to include tax, or toss in a set of stings or a cable. Depends on the store and the item.

 

Same here I've done retail & wholesale for way more than 5 years and people always ask for discounts. Never hurts to ask, but for those who are aggressive or insulting I do not play. Also people will lie through their teeth, even ones who obviously have money. Someone is nice about it I'll gladly hook them up, make the transaction good for everybody.

 

TOTALLY agree! The amount of your discount is in direct correlation to your attitude!

 

I've bought six or seven used basses from GC. I've tried to negotiate but consistently received the answer that GC does not negotiate on used gear. I've heard that from different stores in different parts of the country multiple times and always the same answer. What they do instead is drop the price the longer they have it - or at least, that's what they claim.

They've actually been very inconsistent about when the price drop occurs. It fluctuates a great deal.