Jonny Dubai
Well-known member
+1
Yeh. What they said...........
Jonny
Yeh. What they said...........
Jonny
- Thread starter heavymetaljames
- Start date
DaveB
Well-known member
Smellybum5150 said:
Me!
Dave
puppyonacid
Well-known member
The store i got my guitar from is an authorised EBMM dealer. They didn't have anything, not a thing, not even a strap in stock. And they are a fairly big store by UK standards. I wondered why i had to go through them. But such is business. None of it of course is a reflection on the quality and care of EBMM. But they are soooooo expensive over here. And much coveted as well. Anybody I have told that I have just got an EBMM JP6 is almost green with envy. Not so much because of the model, but because of the brand. EBMM are almost like gold dust in the UK. You just dont see them. However, this does lend the brand an exclusivisity not associated with other popular guitar manafacturers. Still, it would have been nice to try one before i had ordered. But that's more to do with the dealers here than EBMM itself I would imagine.
I'm glad i get to see mine everyday!!!
I'm glad i get to see mine everyday!!!
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Luiz Gustavo
Well-known member
puppyonacid said:
X 10 times here.
Now, just imagine this scenario in Brasil !!!!
You don't see any, absolutely any store with EBMM in stock.
Wanna try one ? Congrats, we don't have it !
You need to order it like a blind, and wait maybe 6 or 8 months to delivery.
I contacted our country rep., but was poor in response and support.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Guys, I love this dialogue!
Movtivate the average dealer......HMMMMM.....world peace may be easier. They sell the obvious. I share equal blame with the dealer in that I don't want to be obvious. I started this thing wanting to make really good ergonomic tools for artists. I never wanted to be Fender or Gibson...they do fine at that. I get that luxury because we also own the number one electric guitar string on the planet. It gives me a great cushion to operate this instrument company like we do.
I know that there is some production number where no matter how altrustic we are we will become generic, its the way of the world. I am very cognisant of this. I am not interested in hanging around if we get bigger just to get bigger and lose our way. I am passionate about this stuff and refuse to authorize any increase in production if quality or customer service suffers in any way. My worst fear is that we get discovered...what happens if 1,000,000 players demand our guitars?
Why am I talking about this and how does it relate to higher prices and invisible global shelfs? Go to the 'quick links' and look at the map.....it is a big world with a lot of passionate, dedicated supporters of our efforts. Thank you......
We make somewhere around 1300 per month for the world. We added 51 new models and about 20,000 combinations last year alone. Getting to the point is that there is no way that every dealer can stock them and no way that you can see them becasue we don't make enough!
The funny thing is that we have so many new ideas and more new stuff and we cant raise production sinifigantly at this time but we keep banging out new ideas.. What to do? Stop protoyping? Shut down R&D? No way, thats the fun stuff...thats the juice that fires all of us up. It does however make the supply problem and delivery times worse.
I have discussed with all of our key distributors that someday the distribution model will change. The smarter ones understand this. Do you think that Strings and Things likes to carry a warehouse full of guitars and basses (which they do) and fight for shelf space with disinterested dealers, fight US dealers, and Ebay. If you sat down with them you have more in common with S&T than you think. Trust me. I'm suprised they don't fire us!
What I hope is that you will understand that every day the team here tries to show you diehards that we appreciate you. It's kind of a club where we really don't want anyone in, right.
So we have our secret handshake, and shake our heads at misinformed salesmen, burned out owners, chuckle at the less informed general population and get frustrated because due to our limited production it is work to find that special tool you want.
Movtivate the average dealer......HMMMMM.....world peace may be easier. They sell the obvious. I share equal blame with the dealer in that I don't want to be obvious. I started this thing wanting to make really good ergonomic tools for artists. I never wanted to be Fender or Gibson...they do fine at that. I get that luxury because we also own the number one electric guitar string on the planet. It gives me a great cushion to operate this instrument company like we do.
I know that there is some production number where no matter how altrustic we are we will become generic, its the way of the world. I am very cognisant of this. I am not interested in hanging around if we get bigger just to get bigger and lose our way. I am passionate about this stuff and refuse to authorize any increase in production if quality or customer service suffers in any way. My worst fear is that we get discovered...what happens if 1,000,000 players demand our guitars?
Why am I talking about this and how does it relate to higher prices and invisible global shelfs? Go to the 'quick links' and look at the map.....it is a big world with a lot of passionate, dedicated supporters of our efforts. Thank you......
We make somewhere around 1300 per month for the world. We added 51 new models and about 20,000 combinations last year alone. Getting to the point is that there is no way that every dealer can stock them and no way that you can see them becasue we don't make enough!
The funny thing is that we have so many new ideas and more new stuff and we cant raise production sinifigantly at this time but we keep banging out new ideas.. What to do? Stop protoyping? Shut down R&D? No way, thats the fun stuff...thats the juice that fires all of us up. It does however make the supply problem and delivery times worse.
I have discussed with all of our key distributors that someday the distribution model will change. The smarter ones understand this. Do you think that Strings and Things likes to carry a warehouse full of guitars and basses (which they do) and fight for shelf space with disinterested dealers, fight US dealers, and Ebay. If you sat down with them you have more in common with S&T than you think. Trust me. I'm suprised they don't fire us!
What I hope is that you will understand that every day the team here tries to show you diehards that we appreciate you. It's kind of a club where we really don't want anyone in, right.
So we have our secret handshake, and shake our heads at misinformed salesmen, burned out owners, chuckle at the less informed general population and get frustrated because due to our limited production it is work to find that special tool you want.
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shamus63
Well-known member
Good God! I find it hard to believe that Ernie Ball Basses and Guitars are still *relatively* unknown...boggles the mind!
Hi BP
Thanks for getting involved in our little dilemma!
How about this for an idea then....
Strings and Things start selling direct to consumer and add a current stock list to their website.
They employ one guy (or girl - PC check) to check and set up the guitars between arrival from the US and sending out within the UK. This guy could also act as UK EBMM customer service and deal with local issues with instruments.
We split the dealers commission between us the consumers and S & T (thus funding salary of said guy).
OR....
Some other idea that I haven't thought of yet???? Arse!
Anyway.....I like being part of an exclusive club but not too exclusive please!
Where I live here in SW London it would honestly be easier to walk out the door and buy a Ferrari (5 miles to dealer - Large stock on premises) than a EBMM off the shelf! Not bad company to keep I suppose!
Thanks for getting involved in our little dilemma!
How about this for an idea then....
Strings and Things start selling direct to consumer and add a current stock list to their website.
They employ one guy (or girl - PC check) to check and set up the guitars between arrival from the US and sending out within the UK. This guy could also act as UK EBMM customer service and deal with local issues with instruments.
We split the dealers commission between us the consumers and S & T (thus funding salary of said guy).
OR....
Some other idea that I haven't thought of yet???? Arse!
Anyway.....I like being part of an exclusive club but not too exclusive please!
Where I live here in SW London it would honestly be easier to walk out the door and buy a Ferrari (5 miles to dealer - Large stock on premises) than a EBMM off the shelf! Not bad company to keep I suppose!
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Big Poppa
Well-known member
Great Idea......if you want us to go broke.
Here is just the first tow holes in your idea.
1. S&T sells direct to consumer. Dealer stops buying ANYTHING from Strings and Things.
2.EB allows S&T to sell direct to the consumer and the dealer stops buying Slinkies.
Here is just the first tow holes in your idea.
1. S&T sells direct to consumer. Dealer stops buying ANYTHING from Strings and Things.
2.EB allows S&T to sell direct to the consumer and the dealer stops buying Slinkies.
Ahhh........I think there is a chance I'm a bit fixated on the guitars here and poss. not on the big picture (of which I'm guessing strings bring home the real bacon).
Ah well, back to the drawing board.
As a matter of interest, what would your ideal situation look like, bearing in mind what you said about not wanting to be F**der or G***on?
Cheers!
Ah well, back to the drawing board.
As a matter of interest, what would your ideal situation look like, bearing in mind what you said about not wanting to be F**der or G***on?
Cheers!
Big Poppa
Well-known member
a quick wish list from me.
I wish that we were in a town that was growing and people could afford to live there and own a house. San Luis Obispo went from a sleepy affordable college town to the third most expensive place to live in america when you compare median income to median housing prices. It is really hard getting new factory workers to adhere to our standards considering quality of life.
Wish I had more BILL'S, DARGIN'S Dudleys's Drew's Dan Nortons Jon watkins Beths jon guitarz Brians,jeffs (both Jeffs) jodys, and anyone I didnt mention....Im not singling out just making a point
I wish I could automate sanding and finishing
I wish I wish i wish....
I wish that workers compensation insurance wasn't one million dallars per year
I wish that we could find a eco friendly renewable material to make instruments with.
I wish that we were in a town that was growing and people could afford to live there and own a house. San Luis Obispo went from a sleepy affordable college town to the third most expensive place to live in america when you compare median income to median housing prices. It is really hard getting new factory workers to adhere to our standards considering quality of life.
Wish I had more BILL'S, DARGIN'S Dudleys's Drew's Dan Nortons Jon watkins Beths jon guitarz Brians,jeffs (both Jeffs) jodys, and anyone I didnt mention....Im not singling out just making a point
I wish I could automate sanding and finishing
I wish I wish i wish....
I wish that workers compensation insurance wasn't one million dallars per year
I wish that we could find a eco friendly renewable material to make instruments with.
heavymetaljames
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
- Messages
- 229
Wow this thread is getting some celeb' status Can I throw another into the pot - BP - you said that dealers wouldn't buy slinkies form S&T - I believe, although it is not gospel that I get my EB strings cheaper from a US store via eBay! Cheaper than from my local store that is - I have to buy 6 sets but hey who is counting!
Can I throw another into the pot - BP - you said that dealers wouldn't buy slinkies form S&T - I believe, although it is not gospel that I get my EB strings cheaper from a US store via eBay! Cheaper than from my local store that is - I have to buy 6 sets but hey who is counting!
SteveB
Well-known member
Heavymetaljames,
When you buy strings from the US (and guitars, etc.) it sorta tips the 'supply and demand' scale in the UK toward less demand. I wonder what would happen if all you UK folks purchased guitars through the established channels? Would the prices come down in an economy of scale? Being that there's a single UK distributor, that ought to keep the retailers honest, as they're surely all sourcing their guitars through S&T.
Just wondering out loud.
When you buy strings from the US (and guitars, etc.) it sorta tips the 'supply and demand' scale in the UK toward less demand. I wonder what would happen if all you UK folks purchased guitars through the established channels? Would the prices come down in an economy of scale? Being that there's a single UK distributor, that ought to keep the retailers honest, as they're surely all sourcing their guitars through S&T.
Just wondering out loud.
pauldogx
Well-known member
BP---I live in Allentown, PA-----yes the Billy Joel place-----and we are having the same problem here. We have gone from sleepy agricultural area and college town to a bedroom community of NY and NJ. Housing prices have increased over 100% in last 6-8 years. Its forcing people like me who have lived here all our lives to move and making it difficult for manufacturing and service industries to find workers. A guy making 25-35k cant afford an average house price of 250-300k.
SteveB
whole can a worms there in many many respects.
UK in particular has had few issues with products in general.
In a nutshell.
UK joined European Union back in the day. This "should" have made certain things equal across ALL member states.
UK did/has NOT adopted the EU Currency of Euro, so math/exchange rates are still different.
Some products even made in Europe were vastly overpriced when sold in UK. This became a large lawsuit and things have settled abit.
VERY weird/strange/odd/bizarre situation really.
But complicated as you could imagine.
whole can a worms there in many many respects.
UK in particular has had few issues with products in general.
In a nutshell.
UK joined European Union back in the day. This "should" have made certain things equal across ALL member states.
UK did/has NOT adopted the EU Currency of Euro, so math/exchange rates are still different.
Some products even made in Europe were vastly overpriced when sold in UK. This became a large lawsuit and things have settled abit.
VERY weird/strange/odd/bizarre situation really.
But complicated as you could imagine.
beej
Moderator
I hear ya. We signed the Free Trade agreement with the USA years ago, yet our trade is far from free
lenny
Well-known member
Big Poppa said:
i am not sure i understand?....are u saying you need workers at the factory BUT they cant afford to live near enough?
what are your standards considering quality of life? or of the instrument
kbaim
Well-known member
beej said:I hear ya. We signed the Free Trade agreement with the USA years ago, yet our trade is far from free
And luckily the US has no foreign debt.
BTW This was a really interesting and informative thread.
Big difference between just playing the damn things vs. having to supply the damn things.
heavymetaljames
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
- Messages
- 229
Hi Steve - I understand totally what you are saying, but some of us have to look around for the best deals that we can because we don't earn much - and we all know what the curse of the guitarist can cost! I'm not complaining - its my own fault - I should have studied for a proper job when I was younger instead of dreaming and playing the guitar so much! C'est la vie!
The other thing is though that thanks to this internet I can communicate now with people with the same interests etc all over the world - more so than I can find in my locallity sometimes! It has also been a fantastic way to find gear at affordable prices. Surely now with the internet most markets are global anyway and the consumer has more choice than ever before? I bet most people would buy EB strings from the US if they were half the price of the UK and got to you in a couple of days.
James
C'est la vie!The other thing is though that thanks to this internet I can communicate now with people with the same interests etc all over the world - more so than I can find in my locallity sometimes! It has also been a fantastic way to find gear at affordable prices. Surely now with the internet most markets are global anyway and the consumer has more choice than ever before? I bet most people would buy EB strings from the US if they were half the price of the UK and got to you in a couple of days.
James
