When do dealers give up on stale inventory?

[Tonelover]

I am completely jonesing for a particular Music Man guitar, a limited run Cardinal Red Sparkle Axis listed at $2,200. They are very nice but haven't been flying off the shelves. Two dealers have them but have been holding the line price wise. In all fairness each has offered 10% off but even then the downside on a used sale would be too much for me to stomach. I go back and forth between just doing it and telling myself to wait in the off chance a used one shows up one of these days. Even though they've been around for a while now, the dealers don't seem like they want to move them out. I'd buy for 20% off but that's a pipe dream the way these guys have been. I'm just whining because I really want one but can't bring myself to pay the price.

 

[vintage saddles]

My experience has been walking into a store with real cash goes a long way toward getting the deal you want.

 

[treeofpain]

Each dealer gets to decide his/her threshold of pain on a particular item. There may also be manufacturer limitations on price reductions that the dealer wants to honor.

Every buyer would like to buy as cheap as possible. Every dealer would like to sell for as much as possible. A deal happens when both have realistic expectations.

I agree that when you go in with cash and say you are ready to buy RIGHT NOW, that gets the dealer's attention.

 

[ixnay]

I'd tell them you'll take it for 20% off and to give you a call when they're ready to make a sale.

There is no reason they shouldn't be able to give you 20% off. I can't remember the last time I bought any new guitar for less than 20% off.

 

[Tonelover]

It's a long walk from NH to KY! One on ebay countered my best offer with a 10% off, I'm thinking about calling them and asking if they'd do another 10% if I paid by check which would be the same for them after paying ebay fees if I did if there.

 

[sixty2strat]

To each HIS OWN. The local GC has a checker cab with mid 70's fittings. They say its a 60's and have no idea of the speakers in there. It has been there 5 years at the least but I think it's more 7or 8. last week I saw the lowered it from 2000 to 1799. patience...lol

 

[Dashface]

To each HIS OWN. The local GC has a checker cab with mid 70's fittings. They say its a 60's and have no idea of the speakers in there. It has been there 5 years at the least but I think it's more 7or 8. last week I saw the lowered it from 2000 to 1799. patience...lol

Ah, but don't wait too long! My local L&M had a Gretsch Roundup hanging on the wall for years that I'd been eying... Went down from $3200 to $1699 - so I went in to buy it but someone snagged it.

 

[larimar]

Do you need any other gear? Maybe you could get them to go for a discounted "package deal".

 

[jonnytexas]

Maybe when the weed gets too dried out

 

[HP Hovercraft]

Ah, but don't wait too long! My local L&M had a Gretsch Roundup hanging on the wall for years that I'd been eying... Went down from $3200 to $1699 - so I went in to buy it but someone snagged it.

Damn, $1699 for a Roundup is a steal!

 

[t***9]

I'd tell them you'll take it for 20% off and to give you a call when they're ready to make a sale.

There is no reason they shouldn't be able to give you 20% off. I can't remember the last time I bought any new guitar for less than 20% off.

Smart move, then be patient - that 20% off will work on his head after a slow week or two.

 

[smolder]

Ah yes... The dangerous tight rope between bargain and demand. Who knows? At any minute, some like minded dude may walk I with an extra c-note and grab your long anticipated steal.

 

[shane8]

I agree to tell them you're interested if they drop the price (wouldn't mention an actual % though) & leave your details.

or walk in with the most you're prepared to pay & start lowballing (say 1/3 off)

 

[Guitarworks]

You'd have to flash some cash. Then they might be willing to negotiate. Otherwise they might only be willing to give you 5 or 10%. 'So you're willing to cut me a deal on half the sales tax, eh? Wow, thanks!'

 

[bloomz]

Ah yes... The dangerous tight rope between bargain and demand. Who knows? At any minute, some like minded dude may walk I with an extra c-note and grab your long anticipated steal.

Who hasn't had a couple get away?

Isn't that a part of the excitement of it all?

I'm still pining for that Vox Ultrasonic axe (the one with all the built in effects) that got away from me 30 years ago over me trying to get them down from $400 to 350

What a dumbass, I had a pocket full of $100 bills too - just playing the game, and still kicking myself.

 

[S3bird]

I am completely jonesing for a particular Music Man guitar, a limited run Cardinal Red Sparkle Axis listed at $2,200. They are very nice but haven't been flying off the shelves. Two dealers have them but have been holding the line price wise. In all fairness each has offered 10% off but even then the downside on a used sale would be too much for me to stomach. I go back and forth between just doing it and telling myself to wait in the off chance a used one shows up one of these days. Even though they've been around for a while now, the dealers don't seem like they want to move them out. I'd buy for 20% off but that's a pipe dream the way these guys have been. I'm just whining because I really want one but can't bring myself to pay the price.

Ha, I remember going into a motorcycle dealership that had a handful of 2-3 year old "new" Moto Guzzis and was still asking full book...ended up buying a "new" left over Triumph at another dealership that wasn't on crack.

Bought my "new" Gibson Firebird in 1993...its was actually a 1990 that never sold but marked down enough that I could afford it

 

[PatrickE_FenderADV]

Standard payment terms are Net 30 from the day the builder or distributor ship the NEW product. Once the store actually pays the vendor around 40 days (10 "grace" days implied) after putting it on the floor, the store now truly owns the gear. Between the payment date and day # 29, it's still new to the store. Once it hits 30 days or more, it now costs the store money to have it on the floor at a rate of about 1.5% for every 30 days. Depending on margins and commissions, the manager/owner now gambles as to how much profit they will make. Stuff hits clearance around 60 or 90 days depending on just how much it cost the store at invoice.

The typical cost point on MOST gear is 50 to 55% of their asking price. If a new Strat is $799, they most likely paid the source (Fender or distributor) around $375 to 425. That clearance Strat at $650 is still making the store money, but the commission piece goes down for the sales guy typically and the standard overhead is barely being covered (lights, water, insurance, salaries etc etc)... This is called SG&A on a balance sheet when measuring P&L.

Does that cover it all?

 

[RockDC]

I haven't paid more than 20% off of new in years and on NOS stuff that gets to be 2 and 3 years old I find you can get about 30% off MAP.

 

[SPROING!]

Every dealer is different. I know one place that has a pretty cool Godin that's like an 09 model still hanging around his wall. Has retail price on it. I offered him a price based on what I've seen on eBay and other places...no dice. Retail or nothing.
Oh, well. I didn't need it anyway.

 

[slugworth]

Standard payment terms are Net 30 from the day the builder or distributor ship the NEW product. Once the store actually pays the vendor around 40 days (10 "grace" days implied) after putting it on the floor, the store now truly owns the gear. Between the payment date and day # 29, it's still new to the store. Once it hits 30 days or more, it now costs the store money to have it on the floor at a rate of about 1.5% for every 30 days. Depending on margins and commissions, the manager/owner now gambles as to how much profit they will make. Stuff hits clearance around 60 or 90 days depending on just how much it cost the store at invoice.

The typical cost point on MOST gear is 50 to 55% of their asking price. If a new Strat is $799, they most likely paid the source (Fender or distributor) around $375 to 425. That clearance Strat at $650 is still making the store money, but the commission piece goes down for the sales guy typically and the standard overhead is barely being covered (lights, water, insurance, salaries etc etc)... This is called SG&A on a balance sheet when measuring P&L.

Does that cover it all?

I think you're giving WAY too much credit to most music store proprietors.