Is haggling over a guitar price dead?

[billparker]

Has internet pricing killed the art of haggling?

[aschleman]

It's still quite alive... I do it often at pawn shops. Mostly the only places that have ever been largely succeptable to price-haggling are local and privately owned shops. With the large industrialization of the music business (Guitar Center/Musiciansfriend.com) it's hard to haggle because the prices are pre set by a corporate amount. They will however work with you on the prices of used guitars. Normally they price them slightly over blue book value... and yes... there is a blue book for guitars just like there is for cars....

But like I said, with the major corporations taking over most places you can't budge them... because of the mass amount of business that they get. If you won't buy it for the price they want.. the next person will. The only thing you can normally haggle about is a trade in price...

[Kevin Taylor]

If you buy directly from the dealer then probably yeah.
Best bet is stuff like eBay where you stand a decent chance of getting a deal.
Personally though, there's no way I'd spend more than a coupla hundred bucks on an instrument online. Any more than that and I wanna look at it and try it. As far as getting deals in person are concerned, it's all in how you present yourself. Walk in like you have a million bucks and a recording contract, carry business cards that show you as the president of a huge recording studio or something and spend a coupla months buttering the owner of the store up. Lead him to believe you're going to be making a huge studio upgrade and want to give all your business to the best store. Take a look at all the most expensive stuff and get quotes for your 'studio'.
When you have him eating out of your hand, ask him what kind of deal he can give you on the guitar you want and he'll go out of his way to cut the price, thinking that he's gonna get tons of future business from you.
Kinda dishonest, but no more than any salesperson has ever been in return.

[Andrew Sa]

I used to work at Soho Soundhouse in London, which apart from Sound Control (although they both are owned by the same company) was the biggest, most corporate store in London.

As it turned out, you actually could haggle with us on everything, as the staff were paid a commision (yes only commision...which is why I quit), it was up to the salesman as to what price he sold gear at...as long as it was above a certain ratio...it lead to some bitchiness, for instance one salesperson would be dealing with a customer and he'd say "well, I just cant sell it you for that little" at which point a cheekier salesman would but in with "well, I can, right this was sir"

was rather funny to watch, but **** when it happened to you

[Kevin Taylor]

We always used an 'up' system. Basically, each salesperson had a turn and no matter who made the sale, the person who's 'up' it was got the commision.
You'd always end up with at least one ahole who would steal other peoples ups though.
God, I'm glad I got outa that business. Man, I really hated sales.

[billparker]

Thanks for the replies guys.

We all have our little tricks, this always worked for me. (Years ago)

I would go into a guitar shop find a nice little amp, turn it to a very moderate level, play a broad variety of complicated pieces (Paganini, blues, metal, flamenco, classical, jazz, etc.) for about 3-5 minutes and then talk to the salesman.

Usually, the price of whatever I wanted to buy - fell away to nothing.

But now the internet prices seem so low, I wonder if there’s any room to bargain.

The bottom line is --- there is a new guitar I really like at Guitar Center and I’m wondering has anyone actually been successful at getting the price down.

[magicninja]

Most times if you can prove the price of a competitor (including online) they will at least match that price. That's why I always take a Musicians Friend catalog with me when I go to a store.

[hunter60]

Most times if you can prove the price of a competitor (including online) they will at least match that price. That's why I always take a Musicians Friend catalog with me when I go to a store.


That's very true. Just be aware that Musicians Friend is owned by the very same folks who own Guitar Center. At least that's what I had heard. When Guitar Center has over-stock and such, they send it to Musicians Friend to unload it.

But going in armed with ads from competitors is always a good idea. I never sold musical instruments but back in my college days, I sold tv's and appliances. We haggled over each and every deal. Negotiating on telelvision sets and refrigerators really helped me develop skills that I use daily now in insurance litigation.

Here are some tips:

1) Try not to get emotionally involved in the process. If the salesman gets the sense that you're all whipped up over the guitar, he'll keep his price high. In other words, stay calm and low key.

2) Generally speaking, the first time he goes to talk to the manager, he's getting his price. The other few times, he's getting coffee or a smoke. It's a huge dog and pony show.

3) If you opt to lay out a 'final offer', make sure it's really your final offer. If you say 'final' and then move from it, then he knows he's got you moving and he'll keep pushing.

4) Remember, he wants to sell it as much as you want to buy it.

5) Don't be afraid to walk away from a deal. There's always another one around the corner. Human behavior and body language will tell a good salesman everything he needs to know about you. If you're not willing to walk away, he'll know it. Once he has that information, he sets the price, not you.

and finally:

A good deal is when both parties limp away. If you feel you paid too much and he feels you paid to little, then you did well. If either one of the parties involved feels that one of you pulled one over on the other guy, chances are, someone, and most likely you, got screwed.

Oh yeah, you'll want to tell him that you want to 'deal' with him right up front. Don't let him get 10 minutes into his pitch and then hit him with it. That just frustrates the salesman and the next thing you know, he's got his feet dug in and it's just a numbers game then.

It can actually be a lot of fun to haggle with someone as long as you approach it right. Sieze the power of the negotiations right up front and keep it. Once you hand it over to the salesman, he will not give it back to you without a fight.

Good luck.

[Scotttaylor72]

At my local Guitar Center you can definitely haggle with the sales guys. Sure, they have more room to work on used guitars, but I've gotten 10-15% off on new guitars as well. Musician's Friend and Guitar Center = same company. Sometimes the way to haggle with GC is to pay the full price for the guitar and have them throw in some strings/straps/case/stand/etc.

[Andrew Sa]

I find the absolute best way to make sure you pay the best possible price is simply to do your homework and know what you're talking about. If you are able to correct the salesman on any details or information he may offer about the guitar you intend to buy, then so much the better.
Also by doing your homework, you will know what the gear is worth and so you wont pay anymore than is reasonable for it.