Emerald pricing question

[ishtar]

I am wondering if Emerald does negotiating on prices listed for their instruments.

Any experience haggling with the folks there?

I’d be grateful for informed thoughts on the matter.

[jklotz]

I'm not aware of it if they do. They didn't do it for me. The only sale I've seen was a %10 discount if you used the 3d web designer, but that was when they first launched it, so I don't think that is available any longer.

[bsman]

Try it and see (and come back here to report your success/failure).

[benderman57]

I do know that years ago (talking 5 or so) that if you were a repeat customer they would discount as they did this for me but past that not sure. Other than an advertised sale I don't think so.

[David Eastwood]

Emerald doesn’t appear to be having any trouble selling everything they make, so it’s hard to see why they’d be open to haggling.

I was able to take advantage of the recent 10% discount, but it’s the only time I recall seeing anything like that.

If they did start giving individual deals, they’d open themselves up to “well, you gave so-and-so $500 off, so why can’t I get that?” conversations, which I’m sure they’d rather avoid.

Give it a whirl - let us know what they say

I wouldn't advise starting off with a haggle. The Irish have a temper and if you start with a haggle you are liable to find that the price goes up.

I suspect that if you bought 5 or 6 emerald guitars you might be given a preferred customer price.

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by EvanB

I wouldn't advise starting off with a haggle. The Irish have a temper and if you start with a haggle you are liable to find that the price goes up.

I suspect that if you bought 5 or 6 emerald guitars you might be given a preferred customer price.

I've only bought 3 - the price was the price. Completely different philosophy from selling through a dealer. I figure I am already saving what the "dealer cut" would be when buying an Emerald direct. Looking at the workmanship, listening to the sound, and experiencing these great guitars, I think they are real value at their price. I truly appreciate Emerald's business model, as opposed to the big wood guitar makers who have a "retail price, a MAP price, and the call me for your best deal price that we can't advertise."

[jklotz]

Originally Posted by EvanB

I wouldn't advise starting off with a haggle. The Irish have a temper and if you start with a haggle you are liable to find that the price goes up.

I suspect that if you bought 5 or 6 emerald guitars you might be given a preferred customer price.

I'm just speculating, but this may be good advice. You may want to tread carefully.

[esimms86]

It probably wouldn’t hurt to tell them that you are a serious potential customer down the road and that you would appreciate them contacting you if and when they ever have another sale. I don’t know how the fact that you’re left handed fits into the equation other than limiting your options to something with the X20 body size.

[mountainmaster]

I suspect the prices are pretty much fixed since the 3D builder has been implemented.

In the past when custom options had to be negotiated by email the quotes I received were often cheaper than I expected. I don't think Emerald were doing themselves a favor that way.
The same options in the 3D builder, if still available, are now more expensive. And probably more realistic.