" Just the facts Ma'am"

I am not convinced the economy is even stable yet. There are plenty markets and companies showing growth and yet many of those same companies continue to downsize.

That tells me that they feel the recent increase in business is temporary.

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AmDlx HSS
62 Hot Rod
Luke w/Piezo
Carvin Belair

In november of 08 GC aquierd a PIK toggle loan of 375 million from Senior Holdco Note at a rate of 14.9% which matures in 2016.
PIK loans can be high risk, many people have heard of interest only loans where you pay just the interest for so many years and then you start making payment at a point at the prevailing or pre determined rate with interest. Well with a PIK Loan there is no money changing hands until such time the loan is due and you pay in full or refinance.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

We are starting to get somewhere......where's vinnypop? He can save GC

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Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

Peavey

Yes. Not increasing profit just cash.

Better to sell at cost sometimes, raise the cash (to pay the note) than not pay the note, be in default and look at all the inventory sitting there not making a dime.

On a smaller level example. My parents owned a retail photography store. Some months were really really bad and my Dad just needed cash to cover normal bill and break even. There was a guy who owned tourist trap stores in the downtown area who was much better capitalized than we were (our business was always undercapitalized) would pay cash for cameras at cost. Why? cause for some reason he could not get the camera companies to sell to him and he wasn't mainly a photo store, he had "gift" stores that sold everything and did a lot of shady things when he sold the camera.

He was a necessary evil unfortunately. But when business goes down continually and you are undercapitalized, you go down. I know this first hand.

I love GC and MF cause of the price. End of story.

Especially love the clearance sales. When the new Gibson VOS custom shops were coming out, GC cleared out their old Les Pauls. I bought a Les Paul 58 reissue (not flamed) for 1800 out the door. The guy next to me got the 57 Goldtop for 1900.

I also got a Classic Player 50s strat for 400. Classic Player Jaguar for 457. Recently got GC to meet the MF price for the Road Worn Tele for 599 out the door. Now this was a great deal since MF would only offer the 2 tone but I was able to get the Blonde Ash Tele!

Many Mom and Pops are a pain in the $@! and I've rarely gotten a good deal from them. Truetone in Santa Monica (yeah they've got great inventory) acted like they were doing me a favor selling me a Ric for 1200 and the owner is a jerk. They run that place like a car dealership. You give the price to the sales hack, he goes upstairs to the owner etc. MF recently sold the Ric 330 for 999-phone special only.

Oh and from MF in June and July of this year got: Jaguar HH for 299, Jazzmaster AVRI for 999, Road Worn 50s strat 599, Jaguar Bass Red and the 30 Dec Bass amp for 499, Blackout Tele 299.

Yeah love MF, GC, M123!!!

For me price always wins as I work hard for every dollar I earn. I'm not going to throw it away on all of the Mom and Pops advice and service. I can get schooled on Forums like this for FREE. And any issues on mailorder, if the price is cheap, I pay for a set up. Like if the Jag HH had issues I would pay the 40 for a set up - total cost 340, still a great deal for the guitar.

The going out of business sales willl be GREAT!

This is going to be something!

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I wouldn't mind if GC went down. When I used to go there the service was non-existent their inventory is usually scratched up. I tried to buy a '52 reissue Tele from them a few years ago. The only one they had in stock had pick scratches all over the guitar and the volume nob was loose and slightly off axis! Poor service seems to be the norm today, but I refuse to accept it. I gladly drive the extra 9 miles past GC to the Mom and Pop store, (A Fender dealer) with great service and people who remember me by name when I go in.

If it's scratched that 's a bargaining tool!! I used that against them all the time. It was like getting it on Craigslist for a great price with warranty and the 30 day return. GOLDEN! Loved the banged up merch.

Now if you wanted something prisitine you may have to pay a little more for it. I bought a 52 Tele from them. The brought down the one from the wall but couldn't find the certificate (not like custom shop but a cert comes w/the guitar) and no case candy in case. So they went to the back and brought a brand new one out. This is one of my all time favorites in my collection. I got it for a good price (not as good used but still good 1150 out the door, no tax) and got all the normal warranties and 30 day return.

GC is bargaining less these days due to their new policies but MF has really stepped up with their phone order specials!

One more great deal I got in June was the Squier Classic Vibe Duo Sonic for 200 dollars. This is a fantastic guitar and the price was awesome. NO mon and pop would go for this or any of the prices I mention. Most of the online dealers wouldn't meet these prices.

I agree, some Mom and Pops are great but none have given me the kind of deals that GC and MF gave me. Let's face it Made In Japan Jaguar HH is not even sold on Craigslist for 299.