Buying an EBMM Guitar online because here in my city are sold way too expensive...

[EricVera]

Hey! What's up? So, I want to buy a new EBMM guitar but, I'm thinking of buying it online, don't know what would be the best site for that. I love goin' downtown and check it out myself, see if I like it or not, But, prices here in Mx city are a ****ing joke! The only place where I can buy one, they are selling them for over 6,000 to 9,000 dollars . And the thing is that, they won't even let me get near to the guitars, they have them on a "special room" with all of the expensive instruments . That's the reason why I'm thinking on buying it online, I think it can be a Little bit more affordable by doing so. The only thing I don't feel good about it is that, I love playing it, if it feels right then pay for it, you know? It would be my first guitar that I buy "online". Well, I hope you guys can help me out and tell me your experiences about this. Thanks for Reading.

 

[ozzyrules]

Most of my guitars(All EBMM) were purchased without ever seeing/playing them. The product is just that good !!! You won't be disappointed.

 

[Tollywood]

Hello, Eric, and welcome to the forum.

All of my emmms were purchased before playing them, too. I've never gotten a dud. It is true that each and every model is amazing, but other factors will come into play. Let's discuss your needs...

1. Which scale length do you prefer?
2. How many frets do you prefer?
3. What neck shape do you feel most comfortable with?
4. Which type of pickups do you prefer?
5. What type of music do you play primarily?
6. Which ebmm have you been considering?

Oh, and YIKES, that is a lot of money. I'm wondering if the large online stores ship out of the US? If so, I was very happy with my Sweetwater purchase, and Guitar Center has always been good to me, too.

I'm thinking that the US brick and mortar stores can't ship out of the US. Is this true?

 

[kestrou]

Tollie has good questions for us to help steer you in the right direction, but for that amount of money you could fly to the U.S. and pick one up then fly back!

Another consideration - neck feel. By that I mean finished vs oil/wax. The first time I played an EBMM oil was neck I knew THIS IS IT! But that's personal preference so something to consider.

Kevin

 

[Stratty316]

I believe that US dealers are not allowed to ship out of the US unless it is a used guitar. I think there is an exception for NOS over 2 or 3 years old as well.


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[Tollywood]

I believe that US dealers are not allowed to ship out of the US unless it is a used guitar. I think there is an exception for NOS over 2 or 3 years old as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, Mat.

 

[DrKev]

I'm thinking that the US brick and mortar stores can't ship out of the US. Is this true?

Yes. That is true, for new instruments. Same for almost all guitar manufacturers. No problem for used instruments, however.

If you do buy a new guitar and somehow have it shipped to your country, remember that your warranty is only valid in the country you bought the guitar from, not in your own country. That means that if there is problem with the guitar, the cost of returning the guitar to where you bought it from, or back to EBMM, and back to you again, is entirely yours to pay. Problems can and do arise with guitars from any brand, even EBMM. That's why guitar companies have distributors in other countries who deal with warranty issues. So be aware of the risk.


(Within the European Union, stores can ship freely to any other EU country but your warranty is with the store you bought it from).

 

[Tollywood]

... That's why guitar companies have distributors in other countries who deal with warranty issues. So be aware of the risk.

Warranty insurance for a 400 percent markup does not seem like a sound investment. Or, is a lot of the money going toward import fees?

 

[pentaspan]

Most of my guitars(All EBMM) were purchased without ever seeing/playing them. The product is just that good !!! You won't be disappointed.

that was my experience, too.

I bought my guitar sight unseen...in fact, I had never even played an EBMM before. Took a chance on a used guitar and it's excellent: top-notch quality, perfect fit and playability.

 

[DrKev]

Warranty insurance for a 400 percent markup does not seem like a sound investment. Or, is a lot of the money going toward import fees?

That's sounds like a steep hike in price but nobody but the distributor and stores in his country can justify that. But remember that comparing international prices to US prices is not comparing like with like, for a number of reasons, each one adding to the final price.

First (and correct me if I'm wrong) but US prices don't usually include sales tax. So those prices are 'artificially' lower than what people actually pay, which can vary state by state.

Second, EBMM supplies US stores directly. So US prices don't include international freight or shipping costs, import duties, foreign exchange charges. Then there is warehousing, more transport, distribution company staff and office rent, warranty support, local advertising, clinics and trade shows. The distribution company's own operating margins/profit are a percentage on top of all that. Taking all that into account, the local distributor sets the price the store pays for the instruments. Then the store adds their own operating costs and mark up. And then on top of all that you add the 15 - 25% VAT/sales tax that applies in most other countries and is usually included in the final advertised store prices.

It all adds up pretty fast.

 

[Tollywood]

That's sounds like a steep hike in price but nobody but the distributor and stores in his country can justify that. But remember that comparing international prices to US prices is not comparing like with like, for a number of reasons, each one adding to the final price.

First (and correct me if I'm wrong) but US prices don't usually include sales tax. So those prices are 'artificially' lower than what people actually pay, which can vary state by state.

Second, EBMM supplies US stores directly. So US prices don't include international freight or shipping costs, import duties, foreign exchange charges. Then there is warehousing, more transport, distribution company staff and office rent, warranty support, local advertising, clinics and trade shows. The distribution company's own operating margins/profit are a percentage on top of all that. Taking all that into account, the local distributor sets the price the store pays for the instruments. Then the store adds their own operating costs and mark up. And then on top of all that you add the 15 - 25% VAT/sales tax that applies in most other countries and is usually included in the final advertised store prices.

It all adds up pretty fast.

You've made some some very reasonable points. There is much more to it than I originally thought. Thanks.

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

Wow, glad to be in the USA.

 

[ozzyrules]

Wow, glad to be in the USA.

Yep !! No offense to anyone else, but our forefathers made great sacrifices for our freedom. God Bless the U.S.A.

 

[DrKev]

Well, that and you just happen to live in the same country as the manufacturer!

 

[EricVera]

Nice... so... I don't follow... Can I buy a new EBMM guitar online or not? I mean, I don't really care if there's something wrong with it, I want to get it from the US because, as I said, prices here in México city are a ****ING INSULT!!!! Everything and anything on Music "Stores" here are always exagerated on the ****ing Price, want to know something fun about it? I went down to check out an Ibanez Jem once over 5 years ago, you know what? The ****ing guitar is still there! the Price is so ****ing high that nobody can afford it! The only thing they do is put the guitar somewhere different every 3 months. There's another store where they have ALL of the EBMM guitars and basses, only the ones out the "Special Room" are the ones that go away. The "Special Room" has glass doors, few lights on it and NOBODY get's in. You can see the same guitars for the past 6 years there. This store with the "Special Room" as they call it, is the worst one here! They get all the cool stuff and if you go all by yourself just to know some prices or if they can get you anything from the US, they won't even talk to you, they're a-holes. How I wish there was a Guitar Center here, I bet those guys are cool. Anyway, thanks for replying.

 

[DrKev]

In short, no you cannot buy a new EBMM online from and EBMM dealer to be delivered to another country. The same is true of many guitar brands. My advice is to buy used. (You can get great guitars in almost-new condition, cheaper than new and delivered right to your door).

 

[jzeijen]

In short, no you cannot buy a new EBMM online from and EBMM dealer to be delivered to another country. The same is true of many guitar brands. My advice is to buy used. (You can get great guitars in almost-new condition, cheaper than new and delivered right to your door).

This is the right advice. Bought a few Music Man used and never had issues. There are some good deals to be found if you do some research.

 

[Tollywood]

In short, no you cannot buy a new EBMM online from and EBMM dealer to be delivered to another country. The same is true of many guitar brands. My advice is to buy used. (You can get great guitars in almost-new condition, cheaper than new and delivered right to your door).

Eric,

In your situation, I agree 100% with DrKev. Used is the way to go from an online retailer. I've bought many ebmms used and I have always been pleased.

But, let's not lose focus here...Let's discuss your needs...

1. Which scale length do you prefer?
2. How many frets do you prefer?
3. What neck shape do you feel most comfortable with?
4. Which type of pickups do you prefer?
5. What type of music do you play primarily?
6. Which ebmm have you been considering?