Tape Prices Getting Reasonable

[Beck]

Tape prices seem to be coming down and staying down to near pre tape-scare prices in a few places. I’m looking at half-inch. I haven’t paid much attention to other sizes. It’s nice to see things are calming down so soon. What’s interesting is everyone is still selling whatever stock they get and there is still backorder, yet the prices are decent.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AMX456273111?trk=smx

http://www.universaltapes.com/Mercha...de=Q456-273111

http://www.tapes.com/product_info.ph...11bc218712a0d0

[Dr ZEE]

well, man,,, ... not so fast ... I mean,

here's example: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/248005/
MF actually had 1/4" on 7"reel for 19.99 !!!!! owch. for a few days... then it went "back" to 14.99 ...(but in the past always used to be 12.99).

www.americanmusical.com had prices low and never changed it during "dark period" ...

As I was (am) watching prices on vary gear pretty close (due to nature of my part time business) , overall, I'd say prices are still vary from retailer to retailer and I don't see much 'stability' yet. I think the reason for it is "out of stock" situation. When warehouses will get 'permanently' stocked up...then we may expect prices to go down and maybe get somewhat stable across the market. Well, you never know. I wish to see how things gonna' be when the new brands kick in... if ever...

/respects

[Beck]

There are plenty of vendors still charging the high prices. Musicians Friend currently twice that of Zzounds (with friends like that, eh?) But the sites I listed have all dropped their prices recently, so I’m just observing the break in the dam.

The others will follow -- that is if they want to have any tape sales. You can bet some vendors will take advantage of the situation until the last drop is rung out of it.

[Dr ZEE]

Originally Posted by Beck

You can bet some vendors will take advantage of the situation until the last drop is rung out of it.

You're right. But that's what the situation is like at the moment.
however,

Originally Posted by Beck

....the sites I listed have all dropped their prices recently

...well, that's a good thing. Because, what I've seen so far, the prices went up (a little or allot) or just stayed as they always were (like at americanmusical.com (AMS), I always thought that they just had a sleepy manager or something ). Some retailers had note: ala "Price reflects new Quantegy pricing as of...what ever date" (like www.usrecordingmedia.com for example), some just beefed up the price with no 'visable' explanation , like MF. Speaking of MF, they actually had completely removed (no longer available, period) all open reel tape products from their recording media section for the period of at least month or longer... I don't remember for how long, but it was during the time when everybody were talking about "Death of Analog". Then they've got it back ...., then prices went up and up. You know, MF has that 'policy'....

Buy with confidence! If you find a lower advertised price from any authorized U.S. dealer on an in-stock product, call or email us. We'll match any verifiable advertised price before or after the sale. If you've already purchased from us and find a lower advertised price within 45 days of your purchase, contact us and we'll refund the difference after verification.

...notice 'in stock' thing .... heh heh , .....

We live in therapeutic society, ruled by fine prints and lawyers.

[Beck]

And of course some people will still be paying more for used tape on eBay than they can buy it new, whatever the price -- just like before.

[themaddog]

Best deal for 1/2" tape is Texas Tape Works Emtec LPR 35. I know it shouldn't be as good as Quantegy 456, but I like the sound of it a lot better. I haven't heard any print through problems with it, even tough it's only 1 mil. thick, and I hit the tape pretty hard (+6, +8) with some instruments.

-MD