Gibson Hummingbird Artist at GC

[mtbiker5150]

The local Guitar Center has a Hummingbird Artist that's been there for about a year now. It lists at 3351 and I was thinking about offering them 1700 for it (it's marked at 2049). That's a little less than 50% off. I've heard that a retailer will usually pay 50% off list for an item. Is this true? I'm thinking of maybe trying a lower offer but not sure how low to go. What do you guys think?

 

thanks

[Freeman Keller]

The normal rule of thumb is that a dealer pays about 50% of the manufacturer's list price (usually published on their web page). The rule of thumb also is the best price you can usually find is 60% of list (frequently it will be more like 70%) - that is exactly what they are (trying) to sell it for (assuming your list price is correct). I'm assuming that you have seen it, played it, fondled it, since they have made it convenient for you by having it in inventory, don't you think they are entitled to make something for that? Lets see, they've had their money tied up for a year at 5 percent....

Why would they want to sell it to you for cost? Is that the way you buy jeans at the clothes store or milk at the supermarket or gas for your car or a pump for your mountain bike?

I'd pay them the 2049 and say "thank you"

[mtbiker5150]

Good points. Something to think about.

thanks for the input

[Freeman Keller]

Sorry, I came across a little strong. One way to think of it is that most sporting goods (including mountain bikes, looking at your sig) have a dealer price around 50% of list also. The shop that carries inventory, adjusts them when they come out of the box, lets you try them out, puts a computer on it and throws in a water bottle deserves to make a little money, or they would go out of business. I happen to feel the same way about guitar stores.

If you really like the guitar, you might say, "what is your best price, today, cash, just like it sits?" Don't be surprised if you get a little more off, be really surprised if you get it for 1700.