Whitfill Telecaster Cheaper when purchased Direct ???

[Rick53]

I've spec'd out a Black Guard Relic Telecaster at 2500.00 All the online Dealers are asking $3200 for it . I may even be able to get a roasted neck. All I have to do is wait 4 months vs getting it delivered by this Saturday. Or I could go all out and still not be at $3200.00

So I am assuming most don't want to wait and therefore pay the dealers markup?

 

[naveed211]

I've spec'd out a Black Guard Relic Telecaster at 2500.00 All the online Dealers are asking $3200 for it . I may even be able to get a roasted neck. All I have to do is wait 4 months vs getting it delivered by this Saturday. Or I could go all out and still not be at $3200.00

So I am assuming most don't want to wait and therefore pay the dealers markup?

That’s a really nice savings for only a four month wait. Totally worth it to go that route if true.

Whitfills look amazing, I’d love to try one someday.

 

[jrblue]

Yes -- it's driven by availability, I believe. As these online forums show, there are very many buyers driven by impulse or sudden availability of cash, and relatively few willing to wait or do a patient search. Of course, there are plenty who don't even know all the good makers out there, who would not even know what a Whitfill is until they see one on the racks. Personally, I would love getting one directly from the maker.

 

[NOTHING89 10]

Those guitars, (Whitfill), look delicious!!!! RM

 

[Rick53]

Yes -- it's driven by availability, I believe. As these online forums show, there are very many buyers driven by impulse or sudden availability of cash, and relatively few willing to wait or do a patient search. Of course, there are plenty who don't even know all the good makers out there, who would not even know what a Whitfill is until they see one on the racks. Personally, I would love getting one directly from the maker.

I agree : I noticed on another forum Whitfill's are raved about . Yet in a 3 year period it appeared at least 40 were sold as used . When I first got online I was surprised to see how many people buy and sell and buy again . Always changing equipment . Then there are collectors

 

[Rick53]

That’s a really nice savings for only a four month wait. Totally worth it to go that route if true.

Whitfills look amazing, I’d love to try one someday.

Seems to be true . And makes sense that readily available would cost more . The retailer has to make something . I don't know if it's changed in the 20 years since I've been involved in Musical Instrument Retail . The Fender Dealer I was involved with operated on 25%. Maybe that's changed but I kinda doubt it .

 

[Greggorios]

Do I understand correctly: Whitfill will deliver your specs for 2500.00 with only a 4 month wait? If so it looks like a good deal. In today's market a 4 month wait is nothing, a lot of the small makers like Whitfill aren't even taking orders and others are out a year.

I'm not a big relic fan but Charles Whitfill makes really nice guitars. I tried one 2 years ago and thought it was outstanding.

Good luck.

 

[nojazzhere]

I agree : I noticed on another forum Whitfill's are raved about . Yet in a 3 year period it appeared at least 40 were sold as used . When I first got online I was surprised to see how many people buy and sell and buy again . Always changing equipment . Then there are collectors

I wonder how many of those 40 used guitars were originally purchased by experienced players who, for one reason or another, expected a great guitar to magically turn them into great players? Like it or not, sometimes we "smart" people can be susceptible to marketing and hype. I'm not saying a particular guitar isn't very good, but ANY guitar is only as good as the person playing it. My personal #1 probably deserves a better owner/player.....but that's tough!

 

[That Cal Webway]

I noticed on Willcutt's website they have two or three new ones.

And are over $3,000 each

 

[naveed211]

I agree : I noticed on another forum Whitfill's are raved about . Yet in a 3 year period it appeared at least 40 were sold as used . When I first got online I was surprised to see how many people buy and sell and buy again . Always changing equipment . Then there are collectors

I guess I just assumed it being Whitfill it’d be a much longer wait for the price difference. Four months ain’t bad at all for what you get.

 

[KokoTele]

Whitfill won't have a dealer network for long if they undercut them. I'm surprised to see this.

 

[Rick53]

Whitfill won't have a dealer network for long if they undercut them. I'm surprised to see this.

Undercut ? What are you talking about ? People aren't buying 50 Whitfills to stock the store like they are Fenders or Gibsons etc. From what I have experienced he encourages you if you aren't sure what you want to go the Dealer Route . But how is he un-cutting when someone knows exactly what they want and doesn't have a Dealer to go to to get fitted ? Understanding that alot of guys . Even experienced good players can barely figure out a string install . Let alone know the specs of what feels right in their hand without actual hands on .
I hang out to play with 6 guys . All better players then me . Only 1 of them and myself know anything about working on guitars . I just fixed a guys Tele . A screw had been lost on his B/E Saddle . Simple fix for me. But he didn't even know that it was missing . He just knew it suddenly was fretting out . Lots of people are that way . Not with just guitars either .

 

[KokoTele]

Rick, I'm not sure where your confusion lies. Selling a product for less than the dealer can is the definition of undercutting. Why would someone pay more at a dealer when they can purchase direct for less?

Prices at the dealers are usually set by the manufacturer, so if a dealer sells for less they'll be in violation of that agreement. The dealer probably can't knock $700 off their price to compete with the factory and make any money on it.