True that.

Like I posted earlier I prefer used guitars (except when one day I will own a PRS that BABY will Brand Spanky New dirrect from the manufacturer and I will pay yhe inflated price and it seems that that guitar will be 18 years away until my youngest goes to college or I it the lotto :D ).

I tend to go to pawn shops --can get a hell of a deal -- but I usually know before hand what I want to purchase. Lost an awsome deal on a GNX RP2 for 50.00 2 months ago had the cash but was undecided but after playing a new one decided it was worth it, went back....SOLD (I'm still kicking myself in the backside for that one).

Here in Houston the mom and pops , though providing better service, usually have higher markups becuase they are not purchasing the quantity that GC is. Volumes = Numbers.

Pawn shops-- though limited in thier knowledge of what they have still give you better service and are willing to negotiate pricing, and may have replaced the mom and pops guitar/music stores.