How Are You Buying Your Guitars These Days?

[Gchord]

In person, in store. Return policies are far from generous in Australia, so online is not a realistic option if, like me, you are very fussy.

[Silly Moustache]

Most of my "acquisitions" have been bought from private buyers via ebay.

In the past I have imported three from a foreign country - i.e. the USA (including one retailer -never again!) The private sales were fine.

In recent years I bought three new guitars,
My Waterloo from visiting a dealer and trading another guitar - 2016.

In 2019 - a Eastman E20-P from a London dealer which was closing down. (yes I could have returned it if necessary - but once received no way would I let it go!!)
2020 - A rare Eastman bought new from a dealer in the Netherlands. Quick,easy, straight forward. and yes I could have returned it if wished.

Sadly due to the UK changing certain import/export rules, buying and selling into/from another country is far more difficult.

I don't see the point of returning a new item, unless you haven't done your research properly.

[Mr. Jelly]

I really don't get it. There really aren't many high-end guitars in Sioux Falls, SD or Omaha, Neb. I was looking to make a deal on a trip to Colorado next week, but the store is on lock down and haven't answered my email. That only leaves the net.

[rllink]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

I really don't get it. There really aren't many high-end guitars in Sioux Falls, SD or Omaha, Neb. I was looking to make a deal on a trip to Colorado next week, but the store is on lock down and haven't answered my email. That only leaves the net.

There are a couple in Des Moines. They aren't really big enough to make the trip down just to look at guitars, but if you are passing through they might be worth the time to stop in. PM me if you ever want some names and addresses.

[Bob Womack]

If it is a serious guitar, I purchase it in person, as always. I'm not finding as many higher-end guitars in my area these days. My last one was purchased from a large Martin dealer while on vacation in Tennessee.

Bob

[donlyn]

How Are You Buying Your Guitars These Days?

With great care and due diligence.

As Always.

While there are always a couple on my short list and a couple more on my 'lottery list', I'm pretty pleased where I am with my 'Heard'.

Don
.

[6L6]

I buy my instruments at Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA.

Fantastic folks to work with and they always have a great selection. Just 20 minutes from my home.

[Seattlesurfer]

If I want a new guitar, I find who has it listed on Reverb. I then email the shop directly and ask if they charge sales tax to ship to Seattle. If the answer is “no sales tax”, I call and ask what type of discount I get as a member of the AGF. Just received a new Gibson 50’s LG-2 shipped to my house for $2,475. It would have cost $2,850 at a local big box shop and it was sent with a perfect set up.

[Mr. Jelly]

Originally Posted by Seattlesurfer

If I want a new guitar, I find who has it listed on Reverb. I then email the shop directly

I try to do that also. Often you find the guitar is several hundred dollars less than what they ask for on Reverb. If not, it is a bargaining chip. I worked a trade that way not long ago.

[DanR]

The guitars in my signature were purchased:

'14 Martin HD-28 - new from Elderly in person purchase
'07 Gibson J-45 '68 Reissue - used online
'20 Martin 00-18 - new online
'65 Epiphone Zenith - used online

There were no issues with any of these purchases.

[WolfmansBrother]

I haven't bought a guitar in person in the last 5-7 years. All of the guitars I currently own were bought online, and all except for one was bought used.

I live near a shop that carries Gibsons, Taylors, Martins, Eastmans, Fenders, etc., but I haven't bought a guitar from them in a while. Not that they have bad stuff, it's just that I have been looking for specific models and vintage items that they didn't have. I have purchased a number of vintage amps from them over the last few years.

When I buy online it is generally from private sellers on forums or on Reverb.

[L20A]

My last three guitars were all bought sight unseen.
Local shops didn't have any in stock and told me that they were a year out.

I searched through Reverb and found two of them in other States.
The positive was that the prices were great and shipping was free for both guitars.
The third one was ordered through Guitar Center.
Again I got a great guitar with no issues and free shipping.

All three are just what I hoped that they would be.

I would always prefer to play first but that wasn't possible on these guitars.

[RussellHawaii]

I purchase guitars mostly from guitar stores or online dealers. I won’t use Reverb anymore after a terrible experience. Reputable guitar shops know their stuff and post reliably accurate descriptions and pictures, and can talk to you on the phone. Most of them care about their customers. Of course there are exceptions, but I’ve found 5 or 10 that I trust, and I peruse their offerings online.
Living in a remote area I’ve bought almost all of them online, sight unseen and sound unheard. Most have been satisfying purchases.
And of course AGF, a community I trust.