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

[Larry]

BP I think you raise some good points.

I don't understand some peoples business sense. How can a store stay in business if it is only making 10%? The way some people think just blows my mind.

 

[pjc812]

fair warning pjc used to compete with gc...
I would love it if someone can produce a bfr for 500 the tops cost me 150....sometimes it is better if you state something as a question rather than an absolute.....Stating that that a bfr costs 500 make as fact is not really a comment I can seriously respond too becuase it is wrong and naive.... just like dealers should only make 10%...

I wish both were true I wish that I could make just ten percent but that pesky health insurance bill and those damn utilities and the forty percent benefit on top of living wages paid of yeah and the rent dont forget the freight and the liability oh wait the marketing expenses....

'But this is aq hijack aqll of the talk of what a dealer should make and what someone thinks it costs to do business....back to marty's question

Yes I did used to compete with GC. I no longer do but am still curious what it will do from a dealer stand point rather than consumer. No harm in that just a thought. I'm not trying to be pissy.

I have always said BFRs were best bang for the buck. Some day when I'm rich I'll own a BFR Luke. I've also always said a Ball kills everything else in the price range.

No, a dealer can't survive on 10% unless they are doing extreme volume and living on beans and rice and rice and beans. I don't know where people pull that crap out. Freshman class Econ 101 tells you at least 30% to keep your doors open.

And to Marty's question, from a business side of life, I like the price being the price no matter who it is. GC or Mom and Pop. I shopped Gander Mountain just for curiosity's sake when looking for a crossbow last month and bought somewhere else because the local guys price killed Gander Mountain. The fact they are local was icing on the cake.

I hope the new tactic brings value back up in MI, I really do. If it works, everybody stands to benefit.

 

[Big Poppa]

great post pjc!

 

[rsetlock]

Yes I did used to compete with GC. I no longer do but am still curious what it will do from a dealer stand point rather than consumer. No harm in that just a thought. I'm not trying to be pissy.

I have always said BFRs were best bang for the buck. Some day when I'm rich I'll own a BFR Luke. I've also always said a Ball kills everything else in the price range.

No, a dealer can't survive on 10% unless they are doing extreme volume and living on beans and rice and rice and beans. I don't know where people pull that crap out. Freshman class Econ 101 tells you at least 30% to keep your doors open.

And to Marty's question, from a business side of life, I like the price being the price no matter who it is. GC or Mom and Pop. I shopped Gander Mountain just for curiosity's sake when looking for a crossbow last month and bought somewhere else because the local guys price killed Gander Mountain. The fact they are local was icing on the cake.

I hope the new tactic brings value back up in MI, I really do. If it works, everybody stands to benefit.

You guys can say whatever you want. But I have purchased 4 Musicman guitars in the last 2 years (1 LE 2007 Petrucci, 1 LE 2008 Petrucci, and 1 LE Luke Radiance Red and 1 Axis). I paid 60% of list for each and the dealers that I bought them from are happy to have my business. I do not even have to ask for that price anymore...it is a given for all my instrument purchases. Maybe a delaership cannot survive on giving everyone that price. I am sure that they need a blend of uninformed customers as well who are willing to pay 70-80% of list price. However, if you are a savy consumer you can get these instruments at what I consider a reasonable price. Anyone who thinks these instuments are not being heavily discounted (60% of list) is living in fantasy land.

 

[Big Poppa]

thanks and I am glad that you have what you want at the price you want. Fantasyland is thinking that I pay 500 to make a BFR.

 

[rsetlock]

thanks and I am glad that you have what you want at the price you want. Fantasyland is thinking that I pay 500 to make a BFR.

Understood....in the end you make a great product....that is why I buy them. Your job is to make the best product you can, my job is to get the best possible price on the products I want. To bring this back to the GC....If they gave me the best price up front, I would shop there. Instead I have to play all these games just to get the rock bottom price.

 

[Big Poppa]

great job Rsetlock...Im glad we got back to marty's question Thanks!

 

[Jimmyb]

I've only been in one GC in Boston. I thought that the prices were extremely reasonable (but then the £ was very strong against the $).

I don't really feel comfortable haggling for a price, in much the same way as I don't like customers trying to knock our prices down either.

If it's a fair reflection of the market and the service is good, that gets my business.

 

[GHWelles]

I like the flat price best price no haggle. I don't need the stress of haggling and forever wondering if I didn't really get the best price.

That is what is attractive about buying online, they have price match and you can easily compare for lowest prices. (Plus no sales tax). Simple and easy.

But when buying guitars people like to try before buy. So making the in-person buying experience as simple and easy as possible is a good idea.

 

[koogie2k]

I really sat down and thought about this for quite a while. I have always been a supporter of GC as my local shop is a great one! I actually got to hang out with Marty once and he is a super cool dude who happens to own the biggest instrument chain on the planet. We should be showing respect to him for even coming on our forum to pose these questions to us. Thanks Marty....

First off....lately, my local GC has not had any EBMM guitars in their shop. I know why this is. I have read the posts previously. No complaints from me. They do have EBMM basses though and quite a good selection.

To haggle or not? I could care less to be honest. I will haggle if I feel like the price being given to me by the salesman does not justify my homework. I never walk into a place without checking pricing at other dealers, internet, competitors...etc. So, I have a figure in my head. When I bought my first EBMM at GC I was given a price that was below my "homework" price. Chalk one up for Koogs!

I say - get rid of the haggling and give us a competitive price on new gear.

Used gear at GC is something that I don't agree with. I have seen quite a bit of really used gear there that has a way too big price tag on it. I should be able to negotiate a "used" price on that item. Same with beat up instruments.

Loyalty Club - interesting. How would you go about being a member of that? Based on $$$ spent? Buy into it? More information would be needed for me to comment on that. But, if it is a cost savings and worth it to me...I would be all for it.

All in all...my shopping at GC has been great. The peeps are great that work there and I have never had any issues with them.