Members Markj61 Posted February 23, 2004 Members Posted February 23, 2004 After years of longing, I am getting serious about a higher end acoustic. Looking for a really good OM (or OOO or C or CM). I am more used to the world of mid-level electrics where one can pay 2/3 of list price for many models. I am quickly finding out that this ratio is not the norm (what is?) in the world of higher end acoustics. IE
Members 54merk Posted February 23, 2004 Members Posted February 23, 2004 Yep, 30-40% off list price on most factory guitars (i.e. Martin. Gibson, Larrivee, Taylor) but only about 10% off on a "boutique" instrument.
Members orsino Posted February 23, 2004 Members Posted February 23, 2004 Originally posted by 54merk Yep, 30-40% off list price on most factory guitars (i.e. Martin. Gibson, Larrivee, Taylor) but only about 10% off on a "boutique" instrument. Can't speak for the boutiques, but 40% off on Martins and Larrivees and 35% off on Taylors seem to be the norm.
Members talkgtr Posted February 24, 2004 Members Posted February 24, 2004 10% is the standard discount for Collings Guitars and they don't want dealers to discount below that point.
Members Mike Crixell Posted February 24, 2004 Members Posted February 24, 2004 Certainly, it's possible to get 10% off list from dealers for Collings, Goodall, Santa Cruz and the like, assuming that's what is meant by the term boutique. Individual luthiers will not come off their stated prices. Any discount comes from the dealer's end, not the builder's. Commissioned guitars direct from the builder are full pop, as determined by the respective luthier. Mike
Members LittleBrother Posted February 24, 2004 Members Posted February 24, 2004 Each manufacturer has their own pricing system. The industry calls them A, B scale and so on depending on the amount they are marked up from actual cost. The dealers also sign some sort of agreement usually called a MAP minimum advertised price agreement. This may also include rules such as minimum price they can sell for period, not just the advertised. Gibson for example has the MSRP mfg suggested retail price set about double what the dealer actually pays for it and they dont seem to enforce any rules. Most people might think thats a wonderful deal but it also depends on whether they are giving you a good guitar. I am of the opinion many guitars on the market aren't worth even 50% of this so called MSRP. The resale value is usually crap too. Collings, SCGC and some others have learned that by not letting the dealers/buyers play these stupid pricing games the quality and resale value of their guitars stays high. A dealer caught breaking these rules can loose their dealership. The best approach is to look past all that marketing crap and see if the guitar is really worth what you pay. Don't fall for the pricing games. Just my opinion.... Be a smart shopper. P.S. Answering your question direct. I think paying 3500.00 for a Santa Cruz for example is a better use of my every hard earned dollar than buying a mass produced guitar for 50% off. I get much more guitar for the dollar and tonally there is simply no comparison in my opinion.
Members IanHey Posted February 24, 2004 Members Posted February 24, 2004 I couldn't agree more with Littlebother. The deal is the guitar. Find one that you really like and decide if it's worth the price. 10% seems to be the standard discount on highline guitars. You can sometimes find them with up to 25% / 30% off ... but usually because they haven't moved or have a scratch or something. You might also check out Froggybottom ... I played a couple ... the sound just lept out of them. But they're pretty expensive.
Members Markj61 Posted February 24, 2004 Author Members Posted February 24, 2004 Ian, Yeah I also recently tried a Froggy Bottom OM style (their H or M??) that I really liked everything about
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