GC or MF

[jw3571]

Which is the better place to negotiate a deal? Musicians friend or Guitar Center. Looking at buying a 2012 strat but the Cinco coupons on both sites don't work with Fender. I'd like to try to get the same deal. Thanks in advance.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Doesn't GC own MF?

[WhippingPost]

You can often get them to honor those deals over the phone.

[180gROC]

They are one in the same...

[BGLeduc]

Originally Posted by WhippingPost

You can often get them to honor those deals over the phone.

Exactly right. I bought a Geddy Lee Jazz bass using a Presidents Day coupon with MF, but you just have to call.

Brian

[Justin_Case]

If you have a GC in your state they will collect sales tax. MF in only a couple of states.

SamAsh.com I've found to be willing to deal better than both MF and GC.

[C Squared]

Originally Posted by Justin_Case

If you have a GC in your state they will collect sales tax. MF in only a couple of states.

SamAsh.com I've found to be willing to deal better than both MF and GC.

I've had the same luck, and also going to a Sam Ash vs going to a GC

[GitFiddle]

I went into GC one day and asked about buying a set of Schaller strap locks. They wanted something like $24. I told them that MF has them for 14 bucks. I even helped the clerk bring up the MF site showing the price. I thought they would honor this and let me have it for that price, since I was actually looking for three sets.

He just told me that I had to have the printed ad for them to match that price. I left the store and went home and ordered them from MF and they showed up at my house 3 days later.

[mgenet]

Originally Posted by GitFiddle

I went into GC one day and asked about buying a set of Schaller strap locks. They wanted something like $24. I told them that MF has them for 14 bucks. I even helped the clerk bring up the MF site showing the price. I thought they would honor this and let me have it for that price, since I was actually looking for three sets.

He just told me that I had to have the printed ad for them to match that price. I left the store and went home and ordered them from MF and they showed up at my house 3 days later.

Yep, there are plenty of retailers who hire pure flunkies.
Management does not let them think for themselves.
You lose a lot of customers that way.

[leftyguitarman]

I refuse to shop at either, so I'd go to Sam Ash.

[MissoulaGriz]

MF all the way. I've dealt with them for years and they have always been way more than fair with me in terms of offering discounts, returns, questions, concerns etc.. If I'm shopping big corporate for musical gear it is always MF.

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

Try looking for used, GC and MF are thieves. 30-35% markup on most guitars. So, that 1000 dollar studio or sg really COSTS the store around 700 dollars...

You want a 2012 though, so it's going to be a little tough to find used...


But ya that 5-10% discount you get from GC isn't that great a deal. Low ball 'em...

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by GibsonMarshallGuy

Try looking for used, GC and MF are thieves. 30-35% markup on most guitars. So, that 1000 dollar studio or sg really COSTS the store around 700 dollars...

I hate to break the news to you, but that sort of markup is common to every music store which stays in business.

More correctly, that's not "theft" -- that is "margin". A music store is not a charity, and I'd be willing to bet that the margins at mom-and-pops are even larger to make up for a lower volume of sales causing a higher COGS.

Buying used, person-to-person is likely to get you better deals, but at higher risks, no warranty, no back-end servicing, and with much less selection.

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

You hate to break what to me? Ive been doing retail for a while and I know what profit margins are. So, you'd rather pay 30% more for what, a warranty lol? Ya don't forget the GC extended warranty, that'll cost you a bit more. And if you actually feel safer with the warranty more power to you, and good luck trying to get it honored...

I never said anything about mom and pop stores. When I said "used" I mean Craigslist. Play before you pay, and your set saving enough money for a nice small amp or something. Don't get ROBBED by salesmen who don't even ****ing know what maple fretboards are. It doesn't make ANY sense...

[leftyguitarman]

Originally Posted by GibsonMarshallGuy

You hate to break what to me? Ive been doing retail for a while and I know what profit margins are. So, you'd rather pay 30% more for what, a warranty lol? Ya don't forget the GC extended warranty, that'll cost you a bit more. And if you actually feel safer with the warranty more power to you, and good luck trying to get it honored...

Uh, you don't pay 30% more at GC, or MF. Every mom and pop shop, Sam Ash and smaller chains I've been to* have the same prices on their tags. I've been looking into buying a new amp lately and the one I have my eye on is the same price at every mom and pop I've checked, the same at ZZounds, Music123, GC, MF, Sam Ash, and Kennelly Keys. The only benefit to shopping at GC or MF is that they often times are more willing to haggle.

And FWIW, you said in your prior post that they have a 30% markup so that $1000 guitar really only costs $700. Uh, 30% of $700 added to $700 is not $1000. And, as Thump said, they have to turn a profit. Why would a guitar store buy a guitar for $700 and sell it for $700?




*The exception to that sentence is one mom and pop shop I used to frequent that had ALL of their guitars and amps cheaper than any other store I have ever seen. AND they were willing to deal.

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

Originally Posted by leftyguitarman

Uh, you don't pay 30% more at GC, or MF. Every mom and pop shop, Sam Ash and smaller chains I've been to* have the same prices on their tags. I've been looking into buying a new amp lately and the one I have my eye on is the same price at every mom and pop I've checked, the same at ZZounds, Music123, GC, MF, Sam Ash, and Kennelly Keys. The only benefit to shopping at GC or MF is that they often times are more willing to haggle.

And FWIW, you said in your prior post that they have a 30% markup so that $1000 guitar really only costs $700. Uh, 30% of $700 is not $1000. And, as Thump said, they have to turn a profit. Why would a guitar store buy a guitar for $700 and sell it for $700?

*The exception to that sentence is one mom and pop shop I used to frequent that had ALL of their guitars and amps cheaper than any other store I have ever seen. AND they were willing to deal.

Uh, you don't pay attention do you. I'm not saying you pay 30% more anywhere. If you buy a guitar new at a retail store you will be paying 30-35% markup of the price. So if you buy a 1000 dollar guitar you are paying about 300 dollars more than what the actually guitar costs. 30 percent of 1000 is 300, so you'll be paying a 30 percent markup of the price of a new 1000 dollar guitar (300 dollars).

Yes, these prices are mostly the same throughout most retail chains, and yes this is so they can pay the bills. Still, why pay someone else's bills when you have your own? I bought my JVM 210 head for about 1000 when it was going for around 1600 at GC, **** that! I also got my 1960a for 400 dollars, how much is it new? 700, lol **** that! And like I said play before you pay. My used gear is in AMAZING condition..

Also, when you buy new you need to figure that once you leave the 30 day period the value of the item drops significantly. So again, that 1000 dollar guitar will have a resale value WAY below that! Let's say in six months you find another guitar you want, well that 1000 dollar guitar is now a 600-700 dollar guitar you can sell (doesn't matter what kind of condition it's in). If your REAL DUMB, you'll trade it in at GC for 500-400 dollars. If you buy used you won't have to worry about that, unless you over pay...

Here's the thing, if you buy new that's cool. But don't you think it's at least GOOD to know about thier markup pricing, SO that way at the very least you could try and negotiate the prices fairly?????????? you'll know that, "hey, 10 percent discount my ass, this guy could give a 15 20 percent discount and still profit off me".

2008 American Standard (mint condition) 675 used


2008 trad plus (mint condition) 1775 used (I think I actually over payed lol)


JVM 210 and 1960a cab total 1400 (NOT INCLUDING THE JCM 900)


Like I said, play before you pay and you'll end up saving lots of money to buy more stuff. Or buy new and have that peace of mind it's all good...

[leftyguitarman]

Originally Posted by GibsonMarshallGuy

Uh, you don't pay attention do you.

Actually, yes, I do pay attention, but thanks for the attempted insult of my brain capacity.

Still, though, a 30% markup on $700 is not $1000. However, a 30% reduction on $1000 would be $700.

Originally Posted by GibsonMarshallGuy

Try looking for used, GC and MF are thieves. 30-35% markup on most guitars.

You said right here (I marked it in bold) that they are thieves because they have a 30% to 35% markup on guitars. Well, as you even stated, pretty much all stores do, so by your logic, any company selling something at a new price are thieves. Not everything you want is available used, and even so, some of us would like to own something brand new. YMMV.

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

Originally Posted by leftyguitarman

Actually, yes, I do pay attention, but thanks for the attempted insult of my brain capacity.

Still, though, a 30% markup on $700 is not $1000. However, a 30% reduction on $1000 would be $700.



You said right here (I marked it in bold) that they are thieves because they have a 30% to 35% markup on guitars. Well, as you even stated, pretty much all stores do, so by your logic, any company selling something at a new price are thieves. Not everything you want is available used, and even so, some of us would like to own something brand new. YMMV.

Lol, ok man... Unbelievable lol. You know you are literally saying what i said but backwards, right? I think you just want to argue??? Btw you tried coming out insulting me first like I don't know what 30 percent is. Yes some people like buying new, nothing wrong with that.

Also, a salesperson isn't your friend. When he/she says, hey this guitar is awesome and it's exactly what your looking for", that's them trying to make their pockets fatter. My point is that if you know what the actual value is, and the buying options available you'll end up buying at a greater value. Doesn't that make any sense to you, can you comment on that??? Or ok let's keep arguing about my math :hmm...

[Justin_Case]

A 30% Markup on an item that costs the store is $210 + 700 = $910 Tag.

A 30% Profit Margin for a $700 cost item, would have to be sold for $1000

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

Originally Posted by Justin_Case

A 30% Markup on an item that costs the store is $210 + 700 = $910 Tag.

A 30% Profit Margin for a $700 cost item, would have to be sold for $1000

If your buying a guitar for 1000 dollars, how much markup are you paying????? 30 percent... 30 percent of 1000 is 300.... .3 x 1000= 300

Or, 43 percent increase from 700 gets to about 1001 dollars... So if it makes you feel better, you pay an additional 45 percent Of the cost....

[Justin_Case]

The operative word is MarkUP - what percentage over cost did you set the price at. Not what discount you took off your marked up price.

The markup in this case is 42+ % 300/700. The profit margin is 300 / 1000 for 30%.

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

30 percent OF what you pay is MARKUP, you want to call it profit margin but YOU are NOT profiting. But ya I see what you saying, so ok from now on I'll say you are paying an ADDITIONAL 40-45 percent OF the actual cost. Thus, the 45 percent is MARKED UP from the cost.

[Justin_Case]

Mark up is what a retailer prices an item OVER what he paid for it. The percentage is calculated against cost. In this case the 300 is 30% profit / 70% cost - but the Markup over cost is the 42%.

Use a $100 cost with a $200 dollar tag - Markup is 100%, but the profit margin is 50%

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

In your example, the profit margin for the store is 50 percent ya... And I already said I see your point.

[WhippingPost]

Gentlemen, this is an argument that neither side will win.

[Justin_Case]

Who you calling a Gentleman???

[coldsteal2]

No they are not one in the same, MF started in Medford Oregon
by a family, GC bought into the company though.

[SexyGibson]

Im not a GC fan but would deal with them before MF. I use to order alot with MF until I had to return a order and played hell trying to get them to credit my account for the return; their customer service sucks so I now use American Musical Supply.

[leftyguitarman]

Originally Posted by coldsteal2

No they are not one in the same, MF started in Medford Oregon
by a family, GC bought into the company though.

And both are owned by Bain Capital.

[coldsteal2]

Originally Posted by leftyguitarman

And both are owned by Bain Capital.

Who cares who owns them, it doesnt change thier history.

My best freind Steve Keim has worked for the company
in Medford Oregon for over 20 years, i remember when
they were just starting out, they have really come a long
way and are very successful because of they made it easier
and cheaper for working musicians to afford gear.
I have been buying directly from them since the late 90s
myself, never had to return anything, and never had any
trouble with them. I have a huge list of bad run ins with
GC over the last 35 years though.

Aparently its a bad thing if your company becomes
sucessfull these days.