Gibson SG Special

[speedking98]

Hiya all,

I have been recently trying to by a gibson SG on Ebay, and a guy offered to sell me a brand new Gibson SG Special - Black lacquer finish, for 485 US$. Some of my friends think this is below cost, and are warning me to be careful (ie there could be something wrong with it). I know that the MSRetail Price is roughly $850 US, but does anyone know how much the stores buy the guitar for? Could this seller still make some money on the deal? Thanks

 

[Hard2Hear]

Is "brand new" as in sold through an authorized Gibson dealer with warranty, or
"brand new" as in whoever bought it new never really played it and it's in nice shape, but in actuality, used.

Thats the question I'd ask him.

H2H

 

[donkeystyle]

one thing to keep in mind is that gibson allow their authorized dealers to sell on ebay, but some just don't use their store name and still do it,so that doesn't mean this guy is trying to rip you off.

also, gibson doesn't honor warranties on new gibsons sold on ebay. it doesn't matter whether or not the warranty card was ever filled out.

 

[speedking98]

It seems to me that this is not an authorized dealer although he says that he has 3 such guitars, so maybe he's buying the guitar and selling it on ebay. But it doesnt seem like he's getting much of a profit margin if he's letting me have it for so little. He says it comes with original box and "warrantee" (which may be invalid if what donkeystyle says is true about gibson company).

 

[fingmung]

maybe it is an epiphone gibson. probably a stupid question, and im not questioning ur intelligence, but maybe u missed it. i hope its authentic, cos if it is, its a great buy!

 

[photoresistor]

I work at a local music store.... the discount depends on how many you buy... for the store i work at (large local store, but not a chain) its usually %50... then you have to factor in how much shipping is etc. basically that price is really sketchy... but most likely still more than cost.

 

[juststartingout]

Why don't you just email the dude and ask if you can return it if it's not what he says it is.

 

[markymarc]

I dont want to be against ebay, but I would never buy a guitar on ebay, especialy if it is a used one and if it is no retail store ebay user. You dont have the chance to test the guitar and I doubt it that the seller will allow you to have it for a week or two to check it out. I would rather save some more money and get a used one in a retail store around the corner...

 

[bileshake]

I agree, saving money is always important but you can't feel the fit, finish, or tone over the internet. Go to a local dealer and talk to them each guitar even same model and year will have slightly different personality.

*I'm not affiliated or employed by a "local dealer"*

...but I have bought an ESP through mail order because (unlike Gibsons) there wasn't a dealer that carried what I needed anywhere that I could physically visit. The guitar is cool but made in Korea on a Friday the fret job is horrible, it deserves a proper dressing right out of the box. If that were a local shop you could negotiate the fret job or pass on the deal.

How was the action on that SG Special ?

Good luck.

 

[Hard2Hear]

One thing to keep in mind, too.

I don't think ebony SG's sell all that well. I know that in clearance sections on websites and in chain stores I always see the black ones marked way down. Nearly everyone I know with an SG (myself included) has a cherry one. I think the best deals are always on the black ones, and I think the price is a good one but not good enough to be that fishy. ...IMO

H2H