Telecaster price discussion

[kK stoned]

Hello at my local guitar center they are selling a fender standard telecaster brown sunburst color for 405 dollars, how much do you think I can get for it after I haggle a little bit?

[Big Weapons]

Supposing it's a bone stock MIM, I wouldn't say it's worth more than $300 depending on how old it is. I paid $260 for mine.

[gtrman911]

Originally Posted by Big Weapons

Supposing it's a bone stock MIM, I wouldn't say it's worth more than $300 depending on how old it is. I paid $260 for mine.

you paid $260 for a brand new 2005?!? nice! wanna go car shoppin w/ me?

I'd say a very good price for a BRAND NEW 2005/04 tele would be $300-$330 since they sell @ MF for $369 shipped. (and worth every damn penny, imnsho)

another thing; is it 2-tone SB, or 3-tone SB? the 3-tone is a stand MIM, ....but the 2-tone might be a 50's classic, whereupon i'd say take that price of $405 and buy it YESTERDAY!!!!!!

[see tagline]

[Bob Rogers]

For a new instrument, I usually just get the best price I can find from Musicians Friend, Music123, Sweetwater, and American Musical Supply and see if they will match it. For a used instrument in excellent condition I shoot for 70% of that price.

[eryque]

Originally Posted by kK stoned

Hello at my local guitar center they are selling a fender standard telecaster brown sunburst color for 405 dollars, how much do you think I can get for it after I haggle a little bit?

First we need to know what model it is and whether it's new or used. It's a low-end instrument at GC, so odds are good that there's not a huge margin on it for them and they may not move very much.

There's two options for haggling at GC, usually. You can try to dicker on the price of the instrument, or you can see what freebies they'll throw in for you. For some reason they have a policy of giving away cables, strings, picks, etc., but a lot of times they won't move much ont he price.

[Colo Springs E]

...You've stated it's a Mexican Standard Tele with the burst upgrade; I assume you're talking a brand new with warranty Tele?

I'd say you should be able to get them to go $400 "out the door" ie, $300-something plus tax equals $400.

You might use your knowledge that you can have one shipped to your house for $405 (free shipping) from Musicians Friend, see if that makes a difference.

Or, as someone else pointed out, maybe you go with the price, but ask them to throw in a hard case. They probably won't, but maybe they'll offer the Fender Dlx gig bag.

Good luck!
-Eric

[yegbert]

Originally Posted by Colo Springs E

You might use your knowledge that you can have one shipped to your house for $405 (free shipping) from Musicians Friend, see if that makes a difference.

Eric is right on the price, they are $405 for sunburst. The $369 quote is correct for the other available colors.

You're two days late having the leverage of an even lower MF sale price, the sale that ended 30 September 2005 would have been $50 less on those particular Teles.

I think Eric's approach is reasonable. Just make them think you are really going to order one from MF if they don't meet that price out the door, and try not to let them see how much you really like that particular one.

Has anyone here been successful at getting their local GC to meet an MF price out the door?

[gtrman911]

wow.......$405?!?

next you're gonna tell me gas is $2.85/gal and smokes are $5 a pack!

welcome to the 21st century, huh?

[chago04]

Originally Posted by yegbert

You're two days late having the leverage of an even lower MF sale price, the sale that ended 30 September 2005 would have been $50 less on those particular Teles.

I'd still try using the 50$ off, I got my Mex Standard for 295 with a Lil 59 and a HSC, from GC. They can go way down, just push them a bunch.

Edit: And I've never come close to being as high as the MF price. Get to know the store manager, they make you sweet deals.

[maestrovert]

Originally Posted by yegbert

Has anyone here been successful at getting their local GC to meet an MF price out the door?

yes, i have, and you can too BUT you've got to have the M-F catalog in hand.....G-C's stated policy is: they'll meet or beat any published, "non sale" price.....they'll hem and haw and stall until you produce the M-F catalog......'sides i think the same parent company owns both concerns now.....

[a42]

Originally Posted by yegbert

Has anyone here been successful at getting their local GC to meet an MF price out the door?

Actually, I generally do better than that. The thing to do at Guitar Center (or anywhere else) is this: find a salesperson and establish a relationship with them. When he (or she) knows that you're a frequent customer you are WAY more likely to get good deals. It also helps if you don't try to push them too far -- leave them a little room to make a buck. That's why they're there, after all.

That said, if you're looking to just buy something now, cold, without a "hookup" I'd say 2 things:

1) Look for a price about 10% off the stickered price (it varies a great deal from manufacturer to manufacturer, line to line, and product to product. 10% is about right for Fender stuff. YMMV) Keep that number in your head but don't tell anyone.

2) Flat out ask them what the best price is they can do. If they quote you the price on the sticker shake your head and walk away. If they quote you something in the ballpark of the number you came up with, go for it.

I've done this at stores where they didn't know me (or "my" sales person was off that day) and it works just fine.

It's still better to be a frequent customer, though. Like the theme song from Cheers: "Where everybody knows your name." Or something like that.