Fender just screwed me over.

[b33r]

all plans for shipping in a new bass derailed. Fender hiked up ALL its bass prices. the bass i was eyeing went from USD699 to USD890. that's a freaking USD190 increase. with the current exchange rate, that's almost $300. WTF.

i know it's a recession and all, but what pisses me off is that these basses have already been produced before the price hike. Fender might explain that the price hike is due to the increase in production costs etc and whatnot, but these basses have already been out on the shelves. another thing is, what's up with the ridiculous price increase? i remember quite some time ago, a Geddy Lee sig was only USD900. now looks at the price. USD1.2k+. sure, i can understand if prices are jacked up because times are tough, but by that much? seriously?


sorry, i just had to rant. freaking pissed off now that first hand basses are virtually too expensive. looks like only the second hand market is an option now, and after my experience with second hand basses, i'm not happy.

 

[hieu1811]

In a deflationary environment and recession like this, they would kill themselves if they hike their prices like this.
People would preserve cash, rather than spend on entertainment stuffs like guitar which would yield them no money, unless the minority are in music industry

 

[ahkiatt]

Go 2008!!!!

 

[b33r]

makes me wish i could have sold my tbird last year so i could order with 08 prices...

 

[ahkiatt]

Why don't you try trading it on TB for a 08 Fender? Unless you're the sort who aren't into 2nd hand stuff lah...

 

[b33r]

yeah, i was hoping to avoid second hand, but it looks like that's my only option now. second hand market is booming since nobody wants to buy first hand.

 

[Plastic]

Ishibashi ubox. Yen is dropping.

 

[b33r]

my current budget would be about 70,000 yen. nothing in that price range caught my eye, sadly.

i'm looking for block inlays, hint hint.


edit: ooh i see something.

 

[shinobi]

fender is increasing prices by 30% for 2009. it's not news. this includes fender USA, fender mex, and squire. but not fender japan

 

[b33r]

hmm MIJ Fenders at Ishibashi are now cheaper than MIMs. sigh. might actually be a good thing though.

my father just explained economics to me. the world of economics is a strange, foreign world to most of us i guess.

 

[shinobi]

this kind of shit just confirms that i will never buy any fender except fender japan. in fact i can forget about most american manufacturers (for guitars). somehow you just get the feeling that they will screw you over one day.

gibson and fender? thanks, but no thanks.

 

[teokiatuan]

ibanez also does this all the time

every year
like clockwork

and by substantial amounts too

 

[Resetti]

there are many other bass guitar manufacturers out there that puts out very good instruments at a good price.

fender increase price then vote with your money and let a more deserving manufacturer get your business.

personally, i wouldn't touch a fender, ever.

 

[Hickey_]

Why some of you diss fender basses? ):

 

[LadyInTears]

on the brightside, does this mean that the basses have higher resale value this year?

 

[funkygeos]

Why a Fender in the first place? 1.5k i will fetch a Yamaha TRB1004, good tone and good finish.

 

[bigblackbear]

not many people would go for yamaha, cause well...


it's YAMAHA - a company that produces drums and motorcycles etc..

 

[shinobi]

but for $1.5k i can buy a fender. why should i buy a yamaha? fender is good also

 

[shinobi]

on the brightside, does this mean that the basses have higher resale value this year?

i dont know man. technically yes. but it is obvious that everyone will be calling fender's bluff. me included

oh, i misunderstood. if you mean will ALL fenders have a higher resale? the answer is NO. ONLY the 2009 models. and buyers will realise this.

the solution is, and has always been, too simple
http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/

 

[rottenramone]

2nd hand is a good consideration. is it necessary to get it new?