Any wiggle room on posted new guitar prices?

[davenumber2]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Sorry, but I had to laugh at the title.

Any wiggle room on posted new guitar prices?



I believe the correct word is 'wriggle'.

“Wiggle room” is a common term in the US.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by davenumber2

“Wiggle room” is a common term in the US.

You're right! - I had to google it.

Had never heard the word used that way - always known it as wriggle room.

[rllink]

I bought a new Guild last June at an independent guitar store and Guild dealer. The store manager started wiggling on it before I did. Otherwise I have no experience with other dealers and what they do or don't do.

There is a sporting goods store just up the street with a sign on the door that says they will meet or beat internet prices. I wouldn't hesitate to take them up on it except I've found that they already do. Same with the Guild, it was at internet price before we started wiggling.

[mrjop1975]

I think personally it depends on the store. As stated your local owned brick and mortar stores may or may not be able to offer a huge discount, whereas the box stores a la Guitar Center or even Sweetwater may be able to just because they buy a ton of inventory of a certain model probably at a deep discount - at least that is what I am guessing.

[Br1ck]

You'd better believe Sweetwater is squeezing Martin for every drop they can get from them. Often there is what is called back door money. It could be an extra 5-10% paid quarterly. There are all kinds of ways a company can get around the wholesale dealer price.

[Ryan51]

Wiggle Room seems to be the most common term. Not much to be found when searching wriggle.
https://www.wiggleroom.bar
https://www.wiggleroom.org
https://thewiggleroom.co

[Luckymud]

Originally Posted by SalFromChatham

I just bought a new 50s LG-2 Reissue, with a list of $2,599, for $2,000 out the door.

Whoa. That is a deal!

[rstaight]

Doesn't hurt to ask. The worst that can happen is the shop says no.

[Pura Vida]

I'm glad to read that there's some movement in prices again. I hope it doesn't go the other way with the used market, which was getting pretty soft before COVID.

[tomcstokes59]

https://youtu.be/3n3LL338aGA

A lesson in negotiating or how to haggle Python style

[Marshall]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

I always prefer working with a smaller shop but they have to at least match the 15% off of map that is available at most box stores. I walk away if the dealer is not willing to match that.

I have a friend that used to have a music store in Canada. She had customers who'd come in and say they want to support "local," then ask her to match a big box on-line retailer's price. That price was less than she could buy it from her suppliers.

[Tempotantrum]

I think it depends on the specific instrument. High-end items like Martin Authentic series and Collings are not likely to see much negotiation.

[Blackmore Fan]

I follow a couple of non-box stores online. I'm pretty sure I could get 10% to 15% off their prices by just asking--their language makes it seem so, as well as their "holiday pricing" (fill in the blank for whatever holidays have passed in the last couple of months).

[Blackmore Fan]

Originally Posted by Tempotantrum

I think it depends on the specific instrument. High-end items like Martin Authentic series and Collings are not likely to see much negotiation.

I think this is true as well. Collings doesn't make a zillion guitars--the price for them seems to be less-variable.

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by Tempotantrum

I think it depends on the specific instrument. High-end items like Martin Authentic series and Collings are not likely to see much negotiation.

Again, that depends on the store. The Guitar Center in Manhattan until recently had several Authentics (and may still have one), and I know that they would take 15% off of the price. Collings are a different matter. I suspect that Collings deliberately tries to avoid higher volume dealers that routinely offer 10 - 20% discounts.