GC Pricing...your opinion!!!!!!!!!!

[dedmouse]

For me...no haggle. I try to buy stuff locally but I also look on line to see what lowest prices are.I also take into account after sale service and staff knowledge.

I'm the kind of guy that shops for my car insurance yearly...I tell my insurance broker I want his best price right off the bat...if he says he can beat anyones price than that means he's priced too high. It also means he didn't give me his best price. I go shopping elsewhere.

Same with music stores...I will gladly pay a bit more if the staff is knowledgeable, they treat all customers right (allbeit some customers can be a pain in the patoot) and they have great post sales support. Otherwise, it's the lowest price baby. I give you one chance to beat the competition...I've done my homework. When I go into a bigbox music store, I generally know the lowest price already...I'll ask the guy behind the counter (if I can get him off his cell phone) what his best price is and if he isn't within a percent or two of the price I know I can get it at elsewhere, I'm history.

I have very little customer loyalty except for one store near here that is a mom and pop music store...I have bought tons of stuff from them and they try to treat me right. Great service and after sale support...unfortunately, they don't and can't carry everything...then I have to go elsewhere when I want something they don't carry (which kills me).

 

[Ken Baker]

I recall when GC went on the "Guitar Center Guaranteed Low Price" program. Not no haggle, but the feeling was that it was reduced haggle. This would be all well and good, but the GCGLP was the same price as any other brick & mortar and sometimes higher, and usually higher than other online vendors (which I'd expect).

So my spin is this: If you want to eliminate negotiation and still attract me to your store, your pricing will become a bigger part of the reason I walk in. I go in now for either a specific need/want or to go check out the latest bass candy. If I'm kicking tires and something calls to me, and I'm funded to handle it, I'll do the dance. If no-haggle prices are like the GCGLP, then it's no dance for Ken. No GC toys either.

BTW - Ad prices are meaningless to me unless it's an item I actually need/want. Most of the music store items I buy are things that rarely go on ad, so drawing me in with loss leaders doesn't work.

Having said all that, and it's been a long day on the keyboard, Jack made a valid point. Being in my mid-50s means I'm probably not your target demographic. OTOH, us old codgers tend to have a little more discretionary cash than the average youngster.

Thanks for seeking our input.

Ken...

 

[bovinehost]

Having said all that, and it's been a long day on the keyboard, Jack made a valid point. Being in my mid-50s means I'm probably not your target demographic. OTOH, us old codgers tend to have a little more discretionary cash than the average youngster.

This forum has taught me so many things - and that is one of them. The other being that we're the most problematic yet occasionally interesting focus group Sterling ever had.

But it's informative and sometimes insightful to see what the not-like-me-at-all younger people think about these issues.

 

[JayDawg]

I have a good deal set up at the GC closest to my house. The guy I deal with knows that I can buy online with free shipping and no tax and get a 15% discount from an online rebate code. If he has something I like, I tell him to match the price of his same company online and he always has.Right as I did my EBMM switch, I also bought another bass of the other brand that I used to use a lot. The bass alone was normally $599.99 then the hardshell was I think $119.99 and then I got a strap and straplocks. After my discount on everything, I think I paid just under $600.00 out the door for everything combined. I left very happy.

With my basses now, I will now only buy EBMM's exclusively and for those I will also only do business with Bass central. Both companies, I will be forever grateful too for their kindness to my family after my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. BP and Beaver went way out of their way to really do some kind things for us and we will never forget that.

 

[coastie72]

I like Guitar Center and have bought some things from them, but! When it comes to instruments, amps ect. they can't come close to my local music store in price or knowledge. Basically it is a no haggle shop, but then no one I have found beats the price first given. When I say that, I mean GC, anyone on the web or otherwise. Yeah I have to pay sales tax, but I still come out ahead and keep the sale local. I'm fixing to order a Bongo from him.

 

[pete1000]

I used to work work for an audio production / rehersal space / backline hire company that had a great little guitar shop in house. There was an informal staff policy in place for those customers who insisted on price matching with on-line retailers. We would match the price if the customer agreed to not touch or play the guitar at all, and if was OK for us to drop it off in a few days or so after they had paid. No one though that was such a great deal, but you want the online price.... you get the full experience.

 

[Slingy]

I don't like haggling at all but I am probably the minority and I don't like it when someone can get a better deal just because they made a big fuss while the quiet nice person paid more. I like the price to be the price I dont go to the store and argue about the price of eggs.

 

[ZiggyDude]

Yeah - I am with JayDawg - if they can match the best online price and adjust for the tax. Then they get the sale. At least if real close. An it is odd that at times the MF or 123 prices are sometimes way cheaper than GC - I think it takes time for a reduction on something like an older wireless unit to percualte down to thelocal shops. That happened with my Line6 digital I got a year and half ago.

I saw from the OP that some price benefits would go to returning higher dollar customers. But, if you lose the price thing we are talking about then you won't have many (most or all) of those customers building up those sales levels. Sort of a Catch22 I guess.

I will say that I have eased up on GC in now seeing them as a brick n mortar store as opposed to not. Before they were the "Evil Box Store" (after the initial awe wore off). Though they are still not a "Mom n Pop" they do provide jobs and local folks training and resources as opposed to something that is pure online that employs folks only in one place.

 

[parsons]

I've been reading this forum for years and just now registered. I remember when this was posted. I can add my two cents now.

Since they went into their more fixed pricing or whatever you want to call it, I dont bother going there. The fact is you're better off buying a used EB these days before half of the EB's that are in GC are in just as good if not worse shape than something you can score used.

It probably also doesnt help that I work for Best Buy who now carries instruments. If we only carried EBMMs....

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am not in the States, but I don't like to haggle. I'll do my homework and find out how much a decent price is and I will ask for it, but I don't like the fact that I have to and I really don't like to have to have advertised proof before I get a decent price. I am not a fan of the "we'll beat all advertised prices" policies when they make you run around and do all the work before giving you the best price.

So, the bottom line is that for a no-haggle pricing policy to work, you have have the best pricing or pretty darn close to it. If I have to haggle to get a good price or have to do lots of homework to get a good price, I'll just go elsewhere for my stuff.

 

[Zacbass]

Hi, I live in Australia and we get charged ridiculous prices for everything due to our global position and the thieves that run our country.
Therefore I love the haggle but usually find myself hunting for secondhand quality gear that I can afford. A SR5 retails for nearly $4000 in Australia and I cant justify that when I can get a 2nd hand one in great condition for under $2000. I think keep the haggle going so deal hunters like me feel they got a better deal. If people are not happy with negotiation then they are welcome to pay sticker price.

 

[Hotrodred]

I've never had to haggle at GC. I took the advice of someone on the EB Forum who said that if you weren't getting the service you wanted at GC, then you needed to cultivate some relationships with the sales staff. Needless to say, whenever I go in the store now, one of "my guys" always notices me and comes over to say "Hello" and I get great service. As for pricing, I try to buy during holidays or special promotions, and if I can't wait, I'll trade something in that I'm not using any more and get the 10% off deal. If you're patient and shop carefully it will work in your favor. I bought my Stingray Slo Special at a price that is still lower than anything I see advertised by any store or online. When GC had their "list" sale back in June of this year, I noticed the Markbass CMD 121P that I was saving for on the list. The price was lower than the advertised sale price online and I thought it was a demo! It wasn't, so I bought it even though I wasn't planning on getting it for a couple more months. I research the quality and price of everything before I buy, because at 58 years old, I just can't afford to buy things that I end up being unhappy with (the bad side is that I actually labor over purchases this large). The point is, if you're not getting service and price at GC, you probably aren't shopping carefully! By the way, I shop at the Brooklyn GC.

 

[T Alan]

I'm a firm believer in DEALERSHIPS; not "stores." Ex. "Ford store." These ain't groceries, people.

 

[parsons]

I'm a firm believer in DEALERSHIPS; not "stores." Ex. "Ford store." These ain't groceries, people.

Yes but DEALERSHIPS can often turn into STEALERSHIPS.

Ever buy parts for a car at a dealership then purchase them online from a different source for 80% cheaper?

I needed an exhaust manifold gasket for my car. Toyota wanted $80 for the two parts. Got them online, genuine Toyota parts from a retailer for $18 shipped.

 

[T Alan]

Yes but DEALERSHIPS can often turn into STEALERSHIPS.

Ever buy parts for a car at a dealership then purchase them online from a different source for 80% cheaper?

I needed an exhaust manifold gasket for my car. Toyota wanted $80 for the two parts. Got them online, genuine Toyota parts from a retailer for $18 shipped.

I've been on the internet for over ten years now, so by now I should know to check the internet before going to the dealershipcool / storep).

 

[five7]

Yes but DEALERSHIPS can often turn into STEALERSHIPS.

Ever buy parts for a car at a dealership then purchase them online from a different source for 80% cheaper?

I needed an exhaust manifold gasket for my car. Toyota wanted $80 for the two parts. Got them online, genuine Toyota parts from a retailer for $18 shipped.

I bought a battery for my phone on ebay for $3.00 Radio Shack wanted $60.00

 

[Steamthief]

I do believe that cultivating relationships with GC employees is crucial in getting the most bang for the buck. I've been demoing Deluxe Classics over the last few months at my local GC (until they hung them up out of reach, lol,) and one of the managers offers me 15% off the ticketed price every visit. No difference from the discounts offered in the monthly mailers, but it's good to know that number as a starting point in haggling when I'm ready to buy one.

 

[Berger912]

i think giving your customer the best price you can upfront is the best idea. i personally hate haggling over a price. i always feel like i didnt get the best price. i know a lot of my fellow musician friend just like to go in to a store and know thats your best price and if your prices are competitive people will continue to come back.

 

[five7]

I love to haggle and like to barter even better!

 

[cjl5150]

Why charge people different prices? Why make me grovel for a deal? It's a silly game. Make your price very competitive I will shop there. I will do my homework before making a purchase-most of us will. It's not like it was 25 years ago...the info is out there.

I am the kind of guy that will ask if the price is the 'best you can do'. If I get a price I think is fair, I'll buy it. If not, I'll move on. I don't want to argue-I feel like I'm begging.

Now, GC has their 30 day return policy which I love and not many other retailers offer anything like that. It's a major reason why I shop there. That and the huge online selection of used gear. I am willing to pay a bit more for this and the other advantages of a brick and mortar retailer. But, man, I don't want to do the song and dance just to buy a piece of gear at a good price that you really could offer up front. I like a lot about GC and I think some of the bashing is silly.