Anybody know?

dr_twangenstein · August 10th, 2006, 12:29 AM

My local Guitar Center has a whole big room full of acoustics, of course, but they don't carry Larivee, Blue Ridge or Seagull. Anybody know why?

Please no, "because they're a**holes" or "GC sucks" replies. I'm interested in trying these guitars out because I would like a good, solid, inexpensive flat-top, and I'm just wondering if there is some sort of marketing reason that GC doesn't stock them.

guitar_ed · August 10th, 2006, 12:37 AM

Some of the reasons that come to my mind are:
1) The manufacturers above won't pay for floor space, and Martin, Gibson, et al, will.
2) GC has enough brands and don't want any more lines.
3) The manufacturers above don't want to be in a chain, they only want to be in a mom & pop store.
4) They don't have enough "name" for GC.

There are probably a million other reasons, none of which would imply that the folks at GC are marketing fools.

Guitar Ed

Tdot · August 10th, 2006, 05:08 AM

Two other reasons from GC (or any big chain store) point of view.
Those brands may not allow a high enough margins, or may not have the production capacity to supply chain store volume sales.

Rob DiStefano · August 10th, 2006, 07:18 AM

Or, specific brands aren't allowed to be sold in a paticular store because a neighboring store is already franchised to sell'em. I've seen this scenario occur twice in my "neighborhood". Kinda sux, but dat's bidness.

user45 · August 10th, 2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Or, specific brands aren't allowed to be sold in a paticular store because a neighboring store is already franchised to sell'em. I've seen this scenario occur twice in my "neighborhood". Kinda sux, but dat's bidness.

Ran into that exact same scenario yesterday, stopped in to buy brand X doodad strings for a experiment at my favorite and very local guitar shop and was told they can't carry them because the super duper guitar mega center across town sells them and they have a "lock" on the area market.

So, did I run acroos town to buy them, No, I supported my local small shop and bought a set that was recommened to me.

Rob DiStefano · August 10th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user45

... So, did I run acroos town to buy them, No, I supported my local small shop and bought a set that was recommened to me.

Way to go, bro'!

brillocaster · August 10th, 2006, 10:33 AM

^ Hey user45 were you the guy in GW with the lap steel? That thing was cool!

sharkydude50 · August 10th, 2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user45

Ran into that exact same scenario yesterday, stopped in to buy brand X doodad strings for a experiment at my favorite and very local guitar shop and was told they can't carry them because the super duper guitar mega center across town sells them and they have a "lock" on the area market.

So, did I run acroos town to buy them, No, I supported my local small shop and bought a set that was recommened to me.

+1 on dat bra!

August 10th, 2006, 12:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
dr_twangenstein Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: St. Louis Age: 31 Posts: 234	Anybody know? My local Guitar Center has a whole big room full of acoustics, of course, but they don't carry Larivee, Blue Ridge or Seagull. Anybody know why? Please no, "because they're a**holes" or "GC sucks" replies. I'm interested in trying these guitars out because I would like a good, solid, inexpensive flat-top, and I'm just wondering if there is some sort of marketing reason that GC doesn't stock them. __________________ If I had to die for one word? Poontwang!

August 10th, 2006, 12:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
guitar_ed Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bankrupt State of California Age: 47 Posts: 711 16 Photos	Some of the reasons that come to my mind are: 1) The manufacturers above won't pay for floor space, and Martin, Gibson, et al, will. 2) GC has enough brands and don't want any more lines. 3) The manufacturers above don't want to be in a chain, they only want to be in a mom & pop store. 4) They don't have enough "name" for GC. There are probably a million other reasons, none of which would imply that the folks at GC are marketing fools. Guitar Ed __________________ Piss off a politician, register to vote. When you complain about the government, remember that you ARE the government. Voting is the ultimate act of civil dis-obediance. AIM - guitar_edg Skype - guitar_edg (had to change on 5/16/06)

August 10th, 2006, 05:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,910 55 Photos	Two other reasons from GC (or any big chain store) point of view. Those brands may not allow a high enough margins, or may not have the production capacity to supply chain store volume sales. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

August 10th, 2006, 07:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,919	Or, specific brands aren't allowed to be sold in a paticular store because a neighboring store is already franchised to sell'em. I've seen this scenario occur twice in my "neighborhood". Kinda sux, but dat's bidness.

August 10th, 2006, 10:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
brillocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 753	^ Hey user45 were you the guy in GW with the lap steel? That thing was cool!