Overpricing

[oldskoolstreet]

For those just about to purchase acoustics or classical guitars : Beware of price inflation. Lately, I have been watching closely on this forum for acoustics, classicals, and electric guitars. To my utter surprise, some sellers are out there to make profits out of your haste.

Luckily, there are websites with online prices and some are even in SGD. You may either get guitars cheaper online or from your local store than to regret buying from the forum here.

Seriously, I got mad looking at how someone may sell something at the cost he bought it for after months of usage or even a year of overuse... Still calling it "mint" cond?

 

[ronnie_gogs]

Well just goes to show that you have to do your research before you buy anything.. This goes for all gear be it guitars, cameras or lenses

 

[nunchuck]

Hell yea i gotta agree

 

[subversion]

I am aware of such nonchalant pricing over at the ads section, I would usually PM them to clarify the matter. In most cases, they were not aware of the off-the-shelf price tags here as they don't frequent the shops, they got they stuff online hence the ignorance.

 

[Nicholasim]

Someone was selling a morley wah (bad horise i think) for $900 on "Carousell" haha. When questioned, he said he bought it for $1000+ from ranking sports.

 

[peter01]

That's actually better than blatant scams from some of our local shops like Guitar Connection. I saw a Collings D2h hanging there and asked about the price. The guy didn't even know Collings as a brand and when he asked Kelvin(the boss) about the price, I heard a voice from the back saying $5500. Come on guys. Seriously? A brand new piece from BGW is only $5200. When I asked if it's a stock piece without mods/upgrades, he said yes.

I suppose the smell of GC is worth $1500 then?

 

[Lifehouse]

To be frank, can anyone name something these days that isn't overpriced in Singapore? Just look at retail price vs price on Amazon for items such at electronics? With budget air tickets these days, it makes increasingly less sense to buy music stuff at retail price in Singapore these days. Just a general observation, have been buying guitars in Singapore since 1999.

Seriously, just say no to these ridiculous pricing by purchasing somewhere else. Eventually the shops that overprices will eventually close down. The prices for camera equipment are generally higher here. But musical instruments is at a whole other level.

Just buy those fancy acoustic overseas. If you are worried about having to check in, I have a acoustic flightcase with wheels I'll lend you.

 

[kernelspy]

That's actually better than blatant scams from some of our local shops like Guitar Connection. I saw a Collings D2h hanging there and asked about the price. The guy didn't even know Collings as a brand and when he asked Kelvin(the boss) about the price, I heard a voice from the back saying $5500. Come on guys. Seriously? A brand new piece from BGW is only $5200. When I asked if it's a stock piece without mods/upgrades, he said yes.

I suppose the smell of GC is worth $1500 then?

Even their pedals are ridiculously overpriced! StAy away from that store...

 

[peter01]

Yeah... Lifehouse has a point but there aren't many people who will take the risk buying online especially when it comes to guitars. Every piece is just so different and getting to try it first is a premium I'm willing to pay for, especially if it's an expensive instrument. (Not exhorbitant difference though.)

And yes, stay away from Guitar Connection. Downright dishonest and utterly disgusting.

 

[stormage]

I had very bad experience with GC also. I was enquiring for my friend with regards to a consignment/buy back. I will like to say the boss and the actors are very good actors, even till the end process after agreeing on a certain price, he keeps playing tactics to lower the price by another 200. Well I told him I cannot do this, after his numerous "duress" to downplay everything to dirt. Eventually he agreed again and fix on the original offer, which is still below market price for quite a fair bit. After he went out to draw the cash, I suddenly realized l was just enquiring and have no desperation to release it to him, and what he said was no entirely true after thinking without the "tag team acting". I had to exercise my seller rights, and left the store. Never regret ever again. Just a caution in this store.

 

[kernelspy]

There should have a big signage on their glass window saying "Beware: Buy at your OWN RISK!!"

Oh GC... how can I ever forget the time that you sold a used DiMarzio pickups to my buddy but informing him that it was brand new! You almost got away with it if my buddy has proof before and after he took out the pickups.
Crazy guys to deal with in that shop...

How about that MXr '78 Distortion which i was quoted $150... oh man... it is not even new!!

 

[seeyoudownthere]

I think you have to look at things in context of what exactly you are buying.

Sellers have the right to price at what they perceive as fair-value and for the buyer it's a take it or leave it scenario. I've advertised items previously and some people really try being "cheap" just because the item is 2nd hand saying things like "i can get this cheaper elsewhere"...then why even bother enquiring! Considering some items being sold can't even be bought anymore (and they're not crappy items) it beggars belief the cheek of so called buyers.
Swings & roundabouts and it comes down to actual mature discussion rather than ping-ping sms messages that are down-right annoying.

Do people here phone their respective sellers/buyers in enquiries?

 

[junkiemanxl]

Same scenario when buying a pack of ciggies from 7-11

7-11 sells at $12.10 a pack
Provision shop sells at $11.10 a pack

does that mean that 7-11 is a rip off?
well.. people still buy from 7-11 even during normal day hours and almost all their product prices are overpriced islandwide.

Rule of thumb... always good to do your research before buying and buy only if you feel comfortable with the price "even if it is overpriced".

In the world where information is at our fingertips, there is a price to pay for ignorance.

Really depends on how bad you want the item and subject to market demand..
No right or wrongs here..

 

[seeyoudownthere]

Same scenario when buying a pack of ciggies from 7-11

7-11 sells at $12.10 a pack
Provision shop sells at $11.10 a pack

does that mean that 7-11 is a rip off?
well.. people still buy from 7-11 even during normal day hours and almost all their product prices are overpriced islandwide.

Rule of thumb... always good to do your research before buying and buy only if you feel comfortable with the price "even if it is overpriced".

In the world where information is at our fingertips, there is a price to pay for ignorance.

Really depends on how bad you want the item and subject to market demand..
No right or wrongs here..

Very good analogy and hope this enlightens both buyer & sellers given the 2nd hand market is great for all concerned. As long as one isn't being passed dodgy goods (stolen, fakes-passed off as real etc) we should all be happy to be feeding this machine. GAS on!

 

[dezng]

Very good analogy and hope this enlightens both buyer & sellers given the 2nd hand market is great for all concerned. As long as one isn't being passed dodgy goods (stolen, fakes-passed off as real etc) we should all be happy to be feeding this machine. GAS on!

Similarly, buyers that "dare" to overprice their 2nd hand gear must not get "offended" by the counter offers from the buyer. It's a two way thing.

 

[junkiemanxl]

Similarly, buyers that "dare" to overprice their 2nd hand gear must not get "offended" by the counter offers from the buyer. It's a two way thing.

agreed! +1

 

[zesn]

Similarly, buyers that "dare" to overprice their 2nd hand gear must not get "offended" by the counter offers from the buyer. It's a two way thing.

+1 for wise words

 

[seeyoudownthere]

Similarly, buyers that "dare" to overprice their 2nd hand gear must not get "offended" by the counter offers from the buyer. It's a two way thing.

Indeed..! Hopefully people actually speak to each other when trying to deal!

 

[Satrionic]

I think when buying or selling at the buy&sell, u just have to know what u are looking for. But i agree with most comment abt GUitar Connection... Damn bloodsucker. Especially that kelvin. Stay away from that shop!!!

 

[oldskoolstreet]

Don't just judge Kelvin by the way he reacts to your Price War situation. Any original Guitar or Effect once made is never going to be made the same way as how it got made originally, a year later.

GC and Kelvin have big responsibility to get things done for budding guitar players like us plus run their surviving business like a Vintage Guitar Emporium. Even Wayne who is Kelvin's veteran staff knows very well about how those guitars are worth in the 2nd hand world. No matter what, we should all be very careful of price over-inflation on this forum's Buy/Sell. Forget about the argument about the Guitar shops in SG because if you were assigned to handle a big shop like that, I do not think that you will know every guitar's price by the back of your guitar-hand.

Don't be too pushy or argumentative with our local shops. How often do you want your police uncle to come down for am argument? Don't be very adamant to push owners that way, or throw them under the bus.

It takes courage, determination and a lot of patience to run a shop.

It is the forum I have been talking about where some of them may become trigger-happy at price inflation.

Do your homework especially. You have a phone, so call and check prices is better.

All that glitters is not gold. Seeing isn't believing either in the guitar world. You have to plug it in, remove the neck or pickguard to check SN. Simply put, do not judge the guitar by the cover. What we pay is for that sound we have been looking for.

If you are a professional, you would not bother prices. Most of us are not, so all matters is to do our research. I bought alot in the US, but never caught a EHX Hog first version. Kelvin got it for me $1k when in fact I could get it for just $500. I did not want to wait, so I paid $1k and walked out with a Vintage Hog I had always wanted. I never regretted.

Needs vs Want that was. If you need, enquire and move on. if you want, pay and get it. Don't regret.