Inflation is lost on so many...

[Pedal-itis]

When I was 16 I worked 6 months to buy my
First Gibson . I paid $3000 for a Gibson Les Paul Studio. I have it to this day. I also know I paid way more than I should have . And I don't want another 16-17 year old to clock the number of hours I did just to buy a LP Studio. Per Se... Saved $3000 ? Could get you a great guitar, a great amp and maybe a Nova System to start ya off . And I've always found great gear to be inspirational. I've sold many stuff for lower to the younger generation cause they need to help and guidance. Not everyone is as savvy on the forums as us. I appreciate many of the forumers who do pass my number to many aspiring artistes . hey you need a guitar/amp/vocalist/banker u know my number. Haha . Ppl no matter the age should not be over charged for New OR 2nd hand products.. Especially If they don't work proper

 

[Godspeed64]

Talk about it. I saved like mad to get my first Gibson when I was 17.
And it was hub4thailand who offered an amazing deal to me.

 

[edgie]

I do agree that some shops should lower the prices of some things taking into account that their prices are quite abit higher than what we'll pay if we bring it in ourselves.

+1. However, we should also understand, it won't be that easy for some shops to just lower their prices just based on forex. We have to remember they also have to deal with shop rents that increase yearly and pay shop staff salary, PUB, deal with shipping, etc. Add to that the deteriorating number of musicians now.

Even if they attract more customers by lowering your prices, it won't be sufficient to keep their doors open. Maybe you'll get an increase of what, 10% more guys buying? Of course, I'm referring to shops that have the reasonable 10-20% mark-up over the forex conversion street price. What exactly annoys me are people ragging on that 10-20% mark-up and accuses a shop of overpricing.

But if it's that shop that quoted me a 4500sgd price for an EJ strat years ago, then that's a diiferent story of course. lol.

 

[Pedal-itis]

I completely understand if a shop upcharges by 10-20% .. it's a business , it's a shop with overheads. But when it's overcharges of 100% then .... I don't get it ... Especially when some shops hve been caught with fakes that they didn't know was fake, or stuff that have certain flaws that are not stated .. Like repaired headstocks or modded bridges .....

 

[skipper53]

I saved since my J2 year for my 20th anniversary CU24. Only got it in 2009. I was in J2 2004.

 

[Godspeed64]

I only find it unacceptable when bringing in a pedal on your own, with shipping and taxes, is way cheaper than the street price in Singapore.
That was never the case last time as local prices have always been better than getting it from eBay. Times have changed, exchange rates have changed, inflation has went up, GDP (HAH) has increased, but storefronts maintain the same pricing as they did 5 years ago.

I understand shops have the factor of rent to consider, but it's not like guitar shops are located in expensive areas. Heck most of them are centralised in Peninsula and Bras Basah. Their customers ain't walk-in customers. Most of them know roughly what they want, so they can locate themselves at the most deserted shopping centre and still attract customers.

In this modern era of communication technology and social networking, the economy has become global. Goods have gone global. Prices therefore, should be somewhat global (AKA, constant +/- a little from storefront vs online). Well that's my little theory!

 

[ShredAddict]

I completely understand if a shop upcharges by 10-20% .. it's a business , it's a shop with overheads. But when it's overcharges of 100% then .... I don't get it ... Especially when some shops hve been caught with fakes that they didn't know was fake, or stuff that have certain flaws that are not stated .. Like repaired headstocks or modded bridges .....

That statement is really unreasonable. You sound as if you know everything about guitars & running a business. Open a guitar store (or any other retail outlet) and try for yourself man. mark up 10%-20%? See what happens after 3 years.

Modifications not stated? Of course. Not many guitar stores have a piece of paper hanging on every guitar stating the flaws. That's where you start asking questions. Salesman don't know what he is selling? That's his problem. Although it's the guitar store salesman's job to find out, it's a matter of whether they are bothered to do so or not. Seriously if they don't know and you don't feel comfortable, very simple, don't buy. Their loss anyway. You don't lose anything at all.

repaired headstocks & modded bridges even without asking you can tell right? it depends on the buyer whether he is willing to pay that amount for a modded instrument. If you are not sure, ask. If you can't be bothered to do so, too bad. There is no harm in asking at all. It's a matter of whether you bother to do so.

Try selling some old Japanese guitar and tell me how many of them actually have labelled stock pickups. You can tell people it came with stock pickups but how can you be sure? You are not the first owner. I have owned loads of these guitars before and trust me, google does not have all the answers. You don't take pictures of the insides of the guitars you sell right? Why you bother about things that your consumers don't?

Oh btw you have to consider the after sales service. Guitar bought not as stated? Get a refund. Guitar part spoil? Ask for compensation. A guitar store won't run away. an online seller could if he wants to compromise his reputation for a quick buck. everywhere has it's risks.

You can walk into a 2nd hand guitar store, browse around & think to yourself: "wa most of these guitars are modded. not safe to buy" & walk out of the store without inquiring more. End of the day you blacklist the shop based on that quick judgement. Not only that, come online and bash the shop based on these grounds. Fair?

The saying goes: nothing nice to say, don't. Just that this time, I can't just sit here and read all these biased statements. I base my words on experience, not hearsay.

Also, tell me this thread is not publicity stunt.

 

[Pedal-itis]

The mark ups are Over GLOBAL PRICES and street prices. Not off how much they buy in second hand , do u understand? As a dealer, they get it at a certain price , like other dealers , if it's so impossible tO stay afloat, how is it that other companies around the world manage to do well while selling at global prices. They have to sell at such a high overcharge to be able to survive? Then something must be wrong in your business structure. Sounds more like they upcharge cause for the longest time getting gear from certain shops was not an option . There wasnt much competition for these places. If a shop specializes in second hand items, then the salesman, as part of the staff of the shop SHOULD know bout the items that are selling. It is misrepresentation if they are unsure and sells it based on false information. Not all little signs hanging on the guitars bear all the necessary information . I have seen with my own eyes a few shops that don't even know certain 'decision changing' information about that guitar. Off the surface, not many seasoned guitarists would give a crap bout what pickups are in a guitar their buying cause fact is their prob gonna change it. But irreversible changes should be stated. Modifications to the body that involve carving out certain portions of woods. Or whether an item is FAKE or not. Or headstock neck repairs that even as seasoned musicians (not techies) wouldn't be able to notice. With that said .. Read the start of this thread. Publicity stunt? Ok I'll tell ya this isn't, it was a thread that moved along the conversation that ended where you apparently find offense .. Don't like it? Don't read. It was a bunch of us having a chat with one another . I'm sure you've had your experiences, but so has everyone who has typed anything on this thread. We were sharing opinions, seems like the only bashing has come from you. No one really mentioned any particular shop name but you so .. Don't really know where you're coming from, I do know a few shop owners , and I have dealt with many an been completely satisfied, not all though and that's fact. There are the good and the bad, but in the first place it started as a rant where a few friends decided to have a chat and it moved. Like normal conversations do.