haggling

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CDT-sHaG

CDT-sHaG

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i haven't bought new gear from a store in forever.....

what are some good price haggling tips for guitars?

(im looking at takamine and taylor acoustics..and fender strat electrics)..

for example...say a guitar is $899 list..and they have a price of $799..i know they can come down but i'm not sure of what kind of mark-ups are on new instruments...

and is cash still better? i remember saving $100 for a bass once just because i had cash (this was 8 years ago though lol)..
 
I always compare prices with major online store's like musiciansfriend.com or zzsounds.com and well, I usually buy online, but I sometimes go to a Mars Music store near here, they are usually more expensive, but it's kind cool to look around the gear and play it, and take it home with you, not wait a week until it arrives by mail... also if you decide you didn't like it or something, you just exchange it for something else it and that's all...

If you have questions about price in a specific item, I guess you can post here and ask if the price you saw is good or not...
specially if it's something expensive...
 
I have no idea about what the actual markup is, but I just say "if I was to pay cash for this today, what's the best price you could give me, taxes and everything". They'll come down.

Taylor and Takamine......sweet guitars, you can't go wrong with those. Have you tried the 60's Strat ? Very nice guitar for around $500.
 
yeah i have...very nice.....i think i'll stay acoustic though..go for a taylor or takamine...i really want an ebony fretboard after trying one out..geezus..ebony fretboard and nice smooth action..
 
retail on instruments is usually twice cost and if they have a motivated buyer (show him the money) salesmen will let gear go down to about 65% retail.The key to getting a good price is let them know you are serious (see above) as well as willing to walk to the competition if they dont want to haggle.
NOBODY who knows anything pays full pop.The business is so cut-throat these guys HAVE to deal to stay in business.

Tom
 
I've walked into stores with price quotes from the internet. My line goes: "I can get this for $490.00 from blabla.com, can you beat that?" So far so good.

Queue
 
Queue,

I do the same...and they can come anywhere close, Ill buy from the local guy...especially on guitars....with mail order, who knows what condition it will arrive in...with the local music store, you can say "I want this guitar and set it up with this kind of strings".....try that on the internet.....see if that Musicians Friend operator can spell "intonation" much less perform one......

so I agree with Pablo about finding out whatthe BIG's are selling it for and try to come close to that....and try to get them to throw in the strings, setup, maybe even a gig bag.....
 
When you've decided what you want:
-Research prices (and read reviews) on internet.
-Go to the store like they've said above acting 'seriously'
-You have to be deffiant. Don't be overly greedy and go for a ludicrous discount, be sensible. Your giving them the business and they want it. Once you set your price you stick to it regardless. Most importantly is the discipline. You have to be prepared to walk and not give in.

If they are adament that they can't do it at the given price but can get close, get extra's either thrown in or discounted heavily (this'll show you how eager they are to have your business).

When all fails, wait till nobody's watching and.......................LOL.
 
900usd would get you a nice australian made guitar from a custom builder out this way you get something handmade not machine made i have two such guitars and for the price nothing i ever i ever bought got close see alot will say why trust someone out here but there are some great builders out here and you are always set to get a better guitar taylor made to your likes and dilikes rather then a one size fits all deal but in the end you got to be happy yourself if you are intrested i can leave you some names who would be happy to show you their work

regards wayne
Melbourne Australia
 
No music store prices stuff at full list retail. Not any decent music store, anyway.

Sure the 'list' price is high. Get real... street price is what everyone sells at. Competition is strong in all industries.

Start telling them to reduce the price will get you ... nowhere real fast.

So, .. know what your looking for, research the product, know the normal street prices. If the street price is $1000, don't expect a 50% discount.. dream land.
 
Most of the mom and pop shops around here (Des Moines, Iowa) price the same as Musician's Friend to be competitive. I even had one guy pull out the latest catalog to quote me a price a few years ago. Play the thing in the store and if their price is outrageous get it online. If it's not as good as the one in the store take it there and pay to have them set it up if they don't try to rape you. Thankfully, most of the stores around here are against raping their customers.:D
 
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