D'Pergo is pushing the limits!

[Mowcheeba]

$300 consultation fee? What the h..l?

Talk about bold. Even if the guitar was from another galaxy I would not pay that kind of money just to discuss a possible buy.

D'Pergos own words:
If you would like to discuss a custom order, but are not immediately placing the order, the non-refundable consultation fee is $300 which will be applied towards the deposit when your order is placed.

I know it is probably one of the best Strat/ Tele style guitars out there but c'mon........

[DonW]

What that tells me is that one ought to be serious about having a custom build before they bother to call. With all the hubub about build time it seems like a smart move in a capitalist system. I can't imagine how many tire kickers have taken build time away from current orders. I see no problem with it. Be ready to buy when you talk, that's all.

[tonedaddy]

Time is money.

Why should a builder spend that time spec'ing/designing/consulting YOUR guitar with you for free if you're not ready to go ahead and order?
(Or more importantly, why would you take advantage of all of a builder's time and effort designing YOUR guitar if you're not ready to step up and order? After all, if you don't continue with the order, the builder has given you his time and effort when he could be making money.)

The design consultation is not for general questions & info (that's free).
Plus, the fee is completely applied/absorbed in the price of the guitar if you go ahead and order later.

I'm not a D'Pergo owner, but I don't blame him a bit for charging it.
I'm surprised it's not standard in the industry.

[mwoeppel]

He must endure a lot of tire kickers.

[tonedaddy]

Originally Posted by tafkar

Fortunately there is a very simple solution: look elsewhere.

There are plenty of other builders out there who love to talk about their products: for free.

A design consultation is not simply "talking about their products".

It's when a "custom Build Sheet (spec sheet) is created that outlines the details and recommendations for your custom order."

But you actually already know that, so.....

[tonedaddy]

Originally Posted by mwoeppel

He must endure a lot of tire kickers.

Not likely with that policy in place.
The tire kickers are likely wasting the time of other builders while he's making money.

[mwoeppel]

Originally Posted by tonedaddy

Not likely with that policy in place.
The tire kickers are likely wasting the time of other builders while he's making money.

LOL! so true. He's thinking like a businessman, not a craftsman.

Tony Bruno uses Ultrasound to do all that stuff for him, and who can blame him? Most "craftsmen" are not real good people people, so good on him!

[JoeB63]

$300! That's nothing. I charge $500 for a guitar consultation. Therefore my S and T-style guitars must be the finest. PM me to schedule a consultation. Paypal not accepted. Certified check only.

[ChmpgnSupernover]

Seems excessive to me, especially when it used to cost nothing? Did they drop any other prices?

[matte]

seems more than fair to me. anyone can make money. nobody can make time.

the man is brilliant and his work is exceptional.

Originally Posted by Mowcheeba

$300 consultation fee? What the f..K?

Talk about bold. Even if the guitar was from another galaxy I would not pay that kind of money just to discuss a possible buy.

D'Pergos own words:
If you would like to discuss a custom order, but are not immediately placing the order, the non-refundable consultation fee is $300 which will be applied towards the deposit when your order is placed.

I know it is probably one of the best Strat/ Tele style guitars out there but c'mon........

[whoismarykelly]

He's already well over the limit at $1500-$2000 more than the rest of the strat/tele copies on the market. The pricing of everything he does is part of the hype.

[matte]

Originally Posted by tafkar

Fortunately there is a very simple solution: look elsewhere.

There are plenty of other builders out there who love to talk about their products: for free.

stefan is building extraordinary instruments with specific and unique enhancements (from raw materials to tuner screws) for discerning players. everything, from soup to nuts, is carefully considered and addressed.

perhaps his expertise is not warranted for all but to marginalize his work (as an instrument that could be replicated by any number of other builders) is absolute ignorance.

have you actually played any of his guitars? if so, which model(s)?

[matte]

Originally Posted by whoismarykelly

He's already well over the limit at $1500-$2000 more than the rest of the strat/tele copies on the market. The pricing of everything he does is part of the hype.

played one? hype is nothing more than your relationship to his work.

[Tonefish]

I haven't heard anyone who owns one say that it wasn't worth the cost.

The fee appears to say that if you want him go down to the nitty-gritty details with you, you should be planning to buy a guitar. Sounds fair to me.

[rreiser]

They are special instruments and I agree with Matt . Consultation fee is understandable.