Dear Musicians Friend,

[mistermullens]

Would you please offer a great sale that doesn't exclude the bulk of the brands that you sell? Thanks.

OK, we've all said it before, and I know why they do it, but c'mon MF! Cut us a break. We want new gear, and get teased by 15% or even worse, you mail us a "special" coupon for lets say 20%, and I can't even use it because of this....

Offer Exclusions

Certain items from A Designs, Allen & Heath, Alvarez, American Audio, American DJ, Ampeg, Aphex, Apogee, ART, Audio-Technica, Audix, Avalon, BAM, Behringer, Bixonic, Blackheart, Blue, Bogner, Boss, Buffet-Crampon, Carl Martin, Cerwin-Vega, Chandler Limited, Chauvet, Cleartone, Conn, Crate, Daking, Drawmer, DW, Eden, Edirol, Electro-Voice, EMG, Eminence, Engl, Epiphone, ESP, Euphonix, Eventide, EVH, Fender, Fishman, Fuchs, Furman, Gator, Gemeinhardt, Getzen, Gibson, Godlyke, Golden Age Project, Grace Design, Gretsch, Guild, Guyatone, HHB, Ibanez, ISP Technologies, Jackson, Jet City Amplifiers, Jupiter, Kanstul, Kawai, Korg, Kramer, KRK, Langevin, Latin Percussion, Line 6, Ludwig, Mackie, Manley, Mapex, Marshall, Martin, Maxon, Millennia, Mogami, Mojave Audio, Moog, Music Man, Music XPC, N-Tune, NS Design, Ovation, Parker, Pearl, Peavey, Pigtronix, Pioneer, PreSonus, Propellerhead, PRS, QSC, Radial, Randall, Rane, Roc-N-Soc, Roland, Royer, Rupert Neve Designs, Sabian, Schecter Guitar Research, Selmer, Sennheiser, Serato, Shure, SKB, Solid State Logic, Squier, Stanton, Steinberg, Steinberger, Sterling by MusicMan, Summit Audio, SWR, Takamine, Tama, Tapco, Taylor, Tech 21, Telefunken, Tobias, Traveler Guitar, Traynor, True Systems, Tube-Tech, Ultimate Support, Universal Audio, Vestax, VOX, Washburn, Weber Speakers, Yamaha, Yamaha Band & Orchestra, Z.Vex Effects, and Zildjian may not qualify for this promotion. Products from Adam, Apple, Besson, BOSE, Brio, Courtois, Digitech, Fox, Fulltone, Gibson Custom, Gibson USA, Meinl Weston, Miraphone, Rivera, Selmer Paris, SSL, Stephanhouser, W.Nirschl, and Weril do not qualify for this promotion. Promotion valid only on in-stock items. Sorry, discounts not combinable with other coupons or special offers, and not valid on purchases of Stupid Deal of the Day, some exclusive and limited edition styles, gift certificates, factory restocks, or MF Gold Coverage and extended warranties.

So who's with me? Lets keep it clean and civil so this thread doesn't get locked or deleted.

[Mightyaxeman]

It say "Certain Items" . Not "All Items".

It never hurts to try. I've been pretty lucky on the phone with them.

[mistermullens]

Originally Posted by Mightyaxeman

It say "Certain Items" . Not "All Items".

It never hurts to try. I've been pretty lucky on the phone with them.

The MF lawyers have definitely got the wording "right", but its like Macy's having a sale, and finding out its only on clothes that don't have buttons.

[brown meadows]

they irritate me...

[G-guitar]

not to get the thread locked but I have a sort of whatchamacallit....uh boycott on MF cause. they made me in credibly anger when i bought a pack of guitar cables to keep in my box for when a guitarist needs one when I run sound.

well i bought the 20 pack of musicians gear, well only 4 work.... they wont take them back even though they didn't work out of the box.

these really awkwardly worded sales pitches anger me even more.

I have a short fuse though

[Walker]

Does this apply to the current sale they're having? Because I put a Fender amp in the shopping cart, applied the discount code and got the 15% off.

[oramac7891]

Guitarcenter does the same thing. Most of the major chain-style companies put the disclaimer on thier sales-It gives them an out, when somone points out that a price is wrong.

[KevinB]

Guitar Center IS Musician's Friend (and Woodwind and Brasswind, and Harmony Central, and several others).

Same company - sometimes different management teams though.

[emu!]

I can't stand their radio ads...

(in a husky voice)
ATTENTION MUSICIANS! Guitar Center's once annual sale, EVERYTHING is on sale, NOTHING held back...etc, etc, etc.

Yep. Just like last week.

[TxTeleMan]

Well, they're already offering 25% or so off of Fender's list price on American Standards and American Deluxe models.

On the other hand, I can do better than that at Ray's (Ray Hennig's Heart of Texas Music Company).

[sonserve]

Originally Posted by G-guitar

not to get the thread locked but I have a sort of whatchamacallit....uh boycott on MF cause. they made me in credibly anger when i bought a pack of guitar cables to keep in my box for when a guitarist needs one when I run sound.

well i bought the 20 pack of musicians gear, well only 4 work.... they wont take them back even though they didn't work out of the box.

these really awkwardly worded sales pitches anger me even more.

I have a short fuse though

I don't have a short fuse. They would give me store credit minimum when they became tired of being the object of my new hobby.

The top electrical testing equip. manufacturer tried that crap with me a few years ago.
Yeah, I got my meter. A nicer one than the one they said they "couldn't" warranty. As it turns out they could.

I have never had a problem with MF...

Just my $.02.

[spurgie79]

I recently ordered a Baja from Sweetwater. Same price and I had someone from customer service call me, ask about how I wanted the guitar set-up, strings, action, tunings and everything. The same guy even called me a couple of weeks later to make sure I was happy with my purchase. I assume they still care about the customer because they aren't as big yet. Man, I'm sold. I have also been told by smaller, locally owned stores that big brands like Gibson want to keep their stuff exclusive so you have to have $100k worth of stuff and you have to sell it at certain price points. Most Mom and Pop places just don't have that kind of $$$. It's sad, really. I would rather pay a little more and help out people in my local community.

[studio1087]

Our local GC takes any coupon for any item. They say that the exclusions are only printed to prevent bad blood between other local music stores and the manufacturers.

I just bought a Vox Night Train $500 head for $400. They allowed the coupon and they gave an extra discount to match an eBay deal.


Smile and ask.

[fiestared57]

MF is a good acronym for those guys...

[Fendrcaster]

Originally Posted by spurgie79

I recently ordered a Baja from Sweetwater. Same price and I had someone from customer service call me, ask about how I wanted the guitar set-up, strings, action, tunings and everything. The same guy even called me a couple of weeks later to make sure I was happy with my purchase. I assume they still care about the customer because they aren't as big yet. Man, I'm sold. I have also been told by smaller, locally owned stores that big brands like Gibson want to keep their stuff exclusive so you have to have $100k worth of stuff and you have to sell it at certain price points. Most Mom and Pop places just don't have that kind of $$$. It's sad, really. I would rather pay a little more and help out people in my local community.

I buy from Sweetwater almost exclusively. On several large items, I've asked my sales rep if he could give me a break on the price. He's always given me a better price, even when there is no sale going on.

[spurgie79]

I've asked my sales rep if he could give me a break on the price. He's always given me a better price, even when there is no sale going on.[/quote]

Dude, I'm totally going to try that. I was thinking about getting another Baja and maybe a CS Tele of some kind! It's weird, I have every Gibson I could possibly want. CS Les Pauls, 335, pointy ones, and my favorite players are mexican Fenders.

[jumero]

mistermullens et al.:

I work for Musician's Friend. We're well aware of the list of exclusions being seemingly larger than the list of inclusions. We're also aware that the biggest name brands (Gibson, Fender, Roland, Korg, etc.) always end up on the exclusions list, and we've been struggling with it for years. The idea really isn't to trick or tempt anyone with an X% off offer and then not allow them to use the offer on anything they actually want. That strategy doesn't exactly sent the right message for customer loyalty anyway.

The honest truth is: the brands/manufacturers on that list are on that list because they want to be. Our contract with those manufacturers (and it's the same for every other retailer that sells those brands) says that we can't advertise their products below a certain price point. If we do, we risk losing that manufacturer and not being able to sell their products anymore.

Different retailers try and skirt around this in different ways (e.g. "click here to view price", "add to cart to see price", etc.), but it's for all the same reasons. We're working on changing the whole "here's the huge list of exclusions" deal though, and are seriously trying to come up with something better, but it's a little bit of a "damned if you do" situation if you catch my drift.

Anyway, we'd still be happy to work with you regardless. If there is something you really seriously want that's excluded from a promotion and you give us a call directly, usually the person on the other end can work something out for you -- even if it's not the same as the promotion we're doing.

G-guitar: if you want to email your order number that had those cables on it directly to me, I'll make sure you get taken care of.

And to mistermullens or anyone else that was seriously thinking about buying something through a promo we sent out, but changed your mind because what you wanted was on the exclusions list, feel free to email me as well. Send me what you were interested in and I'll see if there is anything I can work out for you. Email me at: forums@musiciansfriend.com.

Thanks for listening and sorry this post ended up being so long-winded! Cheers !

[rangercaster]

the retailers have an agreement to a Minimum Advertised Price with vendors ... this protects the small mom and pop stores ... but legally, the vendor can't set a selling price ... that remains negotiable between the retailer and the consumer ... theoretically, the retailer can sell you a $5000 Fender CS Tele for 10 bucks ... he won't, of course ...

[woodman]

Dang, Jumero, wish I'd known about you when I placed my order yesterday! (It's shipped now.) The guy I ordered from (I always order by phone for the reasons mentioned above) was personable and professional, no complaints, but he played it strictly by the book. I ordered the Pod Farm Plugin because you guys were offering it at $50 below what a lot of companies are asking ... so I also had to buy an iLok (grrr!) to be able to use the software. My tab was around $90, not enough to qualify for free shipping, so I had him throw in three sets of strings, which I would have eventually had to buy anyway, to get me in range ... not a beef, and since the offer included a free 2 GB flash drive, I felt OK about it. But I did wish the sales folk had enough wiggle room to say, sure, we'll ship free on your $90 order.

[tjk3052]

I hate all of the above. When retailers offer these *wink* *wink* special prices if you haggle with them, I ALWAYS feel ripped off. If I buy something for the advertised price, I know I'm getting a bad deal, and if they do offer me a *wink* *wink* unadvertised special price, I end up thinking that the last guy might have haggled a better deal out of them. It really spoils the fun of spending money and getting new gear. I wish they would just mark the best price and leave it at that.

[TELE_BLUES]

ALways ask for a better price on everything always! Especially on durable goods(things meant to last 3 years or more) "can you do any better?" has saved me tons of money especially on services.If they can't and you don't like the price wait for another time. The biggest bargains are the things you DON'T buy.

[mralmostpopular]

Originally Posted by tjk3052

I hate all of the above. When retailers offer these *wink* *wink* special prices if you haggle with them, I ALWAYS feel ripped off. If I buy something for the advertised price, I know I'm getting a bad deal, and if they do offer me a *wink* *wink* unadvertised special price, I end up thinking that the last guy might have haggled a better deal out of them. It really spoils the fun of spending money and getting new gear. I wish they would just mark the best price and leave it at that.

It's called haggling. They don't have a "special" price set. You have to convince them to give you a better price than what they're selling it to everyone else for. They will often have a set of guidelines for how much they can adjust the price/throw in extras. You don't have to haggle. It's not required, but if you want a lower price, you SHOULD have to put in the effort to try and convince them of it. Nobody is ripping you off simply because you don't have the business skills to convince them you deserve a deal. Sometimes I get an incredible deal that nobody else gets, and sometimes other people get a better deal, and I tip my hat to them. If you don't want to put in the effort, that's perfectly ok, but don't complain when other people get a better price for a little work.

[tjk3052]

Originally Posted by mralmostpopular

It's called haggling. They don't have a "special" price set. You have to convince them to give you a better price than what they're selling it to everyone else for. They will often have a set of guidelines for how much they can adjust the price/throw in extras. You don't have to haggle. It's not required, but if you want a lower price, you SHOULD have to put in the effort to try and convince them of it. Nobody is ripping you off simply because you don't have the business skills to convince them you deserve a deal. Sometimes I get an incredible deal that nobody else gets, and sometimes other people get a better deal, and I tip my hat to them. If you don't want to put in the effort, that's perfectly ok, but don't complain when other people get a better price for a little work.

Thanks for the lesson Mr. Greenspan

[Hiker]

There's 1 of 4 stores (including GC) in my area for guitars & gear that will discount name brand gear-below the amount on the tag. It's a Mom & Pop,
and that store's employees often give us the impression that we are getting a 'real' deal, and that invites repeat business!

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by tjk3052

I hate all of the above. When retailers offer these *wink* *wink* special prices if you haggle with them, I ALWAYS feel ripped off. If I buy something for the advertised price, I know I'm getting a bad deal, and if they do offer me a *wink* *wink* unadvertised special price, I end up thinking that the last guy might have haggled a better deal out of them. It really spoils the fun of spending money and getting new gear. I wish they would just mark the best price and leave it at that.

I am part of the trouble, then. Or maybe I just read the cards as they fall and play them as best I know how. I would spend large blocks of time figuring out what products have wiggler room, how much, when and then for the most part that is what I buy. Not when I "want" it but when it can be got for half the price. Wait months, years if need be. And when I know they can't haggle I leave 'em alone and let them make profits off the guys that hate haggling. As long as enough guys like me exist to help clear out excess inventory on a moment's notice (just get out the Visa card and burn it up) MF and GC will keep doing what they're doing.

I suggest you get to know Jumero or see if you can learn the system. None of us can change it; I woke up one day and decided to play the game.

[jb12string]

mistermullens,
If you're not using that coupon, I'd gladly use the code, either my wife tossed mine or my kids ate it. I called MF and they could only give me 10% since there is no way that they could verify that they sent me the card since they send them randomly.

[FirstBassman]

Originally Posted by jumero

I work for Musician's Friend. We're well aware of the list of exclusions being seemingly larger than the list of inclusions.

The honest truth is: the brands/manufacturers on that list are on that list because they want to be. Our contract with those manufacturers (and it's the same for every other retailer that sells those brands) says that we can't advertise their products below a certain price point.

Anyway, we'd still be happy to work with you regardless. If there is something you really seriously want that's excluded from a promotion ... give us a call directly. {My emphasis.}

Thank you for your message.

We have discussed this here and at many other forums before.
If you don't want to order an item exactly as it appears on M/F's web site give them a call!
A large majority of the time talking to a live human will be beneficial.

Note: I have no connection with MFriend or any other vendor except as a customer.

[jumero]

Originally Posted by woodman

Dang, Jumero, wish I'd known about you when I placed my order yesterday! (It's shipped now.) The guy I ordered from (I always order by phone for the reasons mentioned above) was personable and professional, no complaints, but he played it strictly by the book. I ordered the Pod Farm Plugin because you guys were offering it at $50 below what a lot of companies are asking ... so I also had to buy an iLok (grrr!) to be able to use the software. My tab was around $90, not enough to qualify for free shipping, so I had him throw in three sets of strings, which I would have eventually had to buy anyway, to get me in range ... not a beef, and since the offer included a free 2 GB flash drive, I felt OK about it. But I did wish the sales folk had enough wiggle room to say, sure, we'll ship free on your $90 order.

Send the order # to me directly (forums@musiciansfriend.com) and I'll refund the shipping for you.

[brokenjoe]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I am part of the trouble, then. Or maybe I just read the cards as they fall and play them as best I know how. I would spend large blocks of time figuring out what products have wiggler room, how much, when and then for the most part that is what I buy. Not when I "want" it but when it can be got for half the price. Wait months, years if need be. And when I know they can't haggle I leave 'em alone and let them make profits off the guys that hate haggling. As long as enough guys like me exist to help clear out excess inventory on a moment's notice (just get out the Visa card and burn it up) MF and GC will keep doing what they're doing.

I suggest you get to know Jumero or see if you can learn the system. None of us can change it; I woke up one day and decided to play the game.

I'm part of the trouble too Boris. I just buy things at the price it's listed at. I hate haggling. If something seems overpriced to me, I just don't buy it, or wait and see if the price eventually drops.

[woodman]

Originally Posted by jumero

Send the order # to me directly (forums@musiciansfriend.com) and I'll refund the shipping for you.

Appreciate the thought, but I bumped the order up to the free-shipping level by ordering the three sets of strings. Glad to know you're out there swinging the hammer for us, though!

[BigDaddyLH]

Originally Posted by brokenjoe

I'm part of the trouble too Boris. I just buy things at the price it's listed at. I hate haggling. If something seems overpriced to me, I just don't buy it, or wait and see if the price eventually drops.

I used to avoid haggling, then I backpacked through India and had no choice. For me, I have to think of it as a game. If I want it but don't need it, I lowball. What can it hurt? As long as you're polite...

[kelnet]

Why don't the coupons just list the products that they cover? Surely it would be simpler and less aggravating.

[Commodore 64]

If you email wymore guitars they'll send you a 30% discount code for every item they have left...www.wymoreguitars.com

[Steely_Ken]

I bought a Tascam recorder from MF that I saw a cheaper price on just to test the lower price guarantee and they transferred the money in a couple days no prob.
My revue below

http://steel-guitar-austin.com/LowPriceGuarantee.html