I'm looking to buy a new Stratocaster. Still deciding on which one, but I was wondering what to expect price-wise? Specifically, GuitarCenter or SamAsh, since I have them nearby.

They usually list their guitars at identical prices. Do they tend to negotiate off of that or not? If so, what kind of %?

I get the coupons/discounts from GuitarCenter, but Fender seems to always be excluded from those discounts (a shame, because some are 15% off).

Thanks!

You can negociate a little, but usually they will not budge much. I tend to use more local mom and pop stores. There you can find gems and haggle a bit better. I bought all my Strats from local stores and got them from from 20 to 30 percent off. You can try this tactic, have all your money you wish to spent available, either in your pocket or debit card. Tell them you have $100 less than you wish to spend. See what kind of deal they will throw at you. If it does not hit your mark, there are other stores to look at.

Good luck with the hunt. Most of the bigger stores will always say they can put said guitar on layaway if you do not hav all the money up front.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Thanks for the input. You can get better prices at the Mom & Pop's? I just assumed that the biggies could give the best prices due to volume.

In my experience it's not worth haggling for anything under about $500. If you're buying a guitar, for instance, or an amp, there are several things you must know.

First, be prepared to walk away. If you're not willing to leave without a guitar, they will know and refuse to budge. A salesman will be more inclined to shave a few bucks off (or throw in something for free) if it guarantees a sale.

Second, always pay with cash. Don't expect a discount if you're financing an instrument or putting it on layaway.

Third, make sure you lie. A lot. Tell them anything that isn't too outrageous. The "I have $100 less than you're asking" trick, as mentioned above, is perfect.

Finally, make sure you talk to the best salesman in the store and not the newly hired 16-year old kid. The best salesman will make a sale and understands the importance of doing just that; the kid "doesn't know if he can do that" and just wants to impress you with his job and fancy laminated nametag.

Normally 20% off on an advertised $1000 item is possible 30% or more if its at MSRP. If it's at the best price you can find it will be hard work shaving off an extra 10%. On small items it can be a different story often they may have a 300% markup.

If an item is a deluxe model or one that has "extra features" often they will also charge a healthy markup. In that case you have more to negotiate with.

Getting freebies and discounts that are offered before you negotiate or after the seller is aware you will buy at their price really plays into their hand not yours.

In order to get a great deal you need to stipulate the price your willing to pay. To know that you need to figure out roughly how much it cost the seller and how much they can pass it on for at a minimum profit.

To me its way better to have cash left in the pocket rather than things I don't want.

I have haggled over just about everything I purchased in GCenter. There are certain items they have room to move on and some they don't, but I find it always worth asking if that price is the best they can do. If it is a big ticket item, I make an offer. If they say no, then I move on. I have the luxury of not needing too much gear nowadays, so when I go, it is usually just for strings, etc (which I also haggle over - I am betting they have a pic of me somewhere that says this is the 10-15% off guy, and then he uses coupons!); but if I find a good deal on a used guitar or something unusual, I try it.

The prices at GC, MF, Sam Ash, Sweetwater, etc are actually (too) high.. I spent part of last weekend at a GC and Sam Ash in LI/NY aching to buy something, and just couldn't do it 'cause I know their prices are nothing special (unless they are doing some blow-out or whatnot - i.e. last year's Deluxes were at a decent price). And you already noticed ALL their prices are usually identical!?!? Hmmm...

I must be blessed or something 'cause there are a couple local stores around here (hudson valley, NY) which are part of the same small chain that are consistently $150-$700 cheaper then GC et. al. I just bought a new Am Standard Sienna SB Ash on Thursday...marked price was $150 under GCs price. Last month I traded towards a new Gibson CS-336F...GC price? $3399...my store $2699 (I paid even less). A few nights ago I saw and played in the same chain/different store a spanking new Gibson 2010 ES-137 Custom - in/on GC et. al. it is $2799.00..in this store? $2059.00. New ES-137 Classic...GC? $2049.00...local store - $1559.00, etc. etc.

Fenders don't seem to be as drastic as the Gibsons, so probably less of a mark-up, but there is still enough of a difference to make shopping around worthwhile. Leaves me in awe of how much those big chains must make on every $$$ guitar they sell! (and people gladly pay 'cause they have everything and are priced "30% under MSRP").

It could be well worth it to see if you can find another shop or two nearby!

I have found that the smaller internet retailers will negociate over the phone better than the big ones. The one I like is interstatemusic.com.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Some great tips here. Thanks! Any other online retailers that people like?

Always, always, ALWAYS, negotiate on the final price of ANY instrument you buy. GC and SA regularly have sales that offer 10-20% off and higher. So why is trying to get that price while there is no sale on wrong? Its not.

As it was said previously, only bring what you want to spend max. Then tell them thats all you have and work toward that goal (and make sure the case and taxes are included).

But do be polite, courteous, and knowledgeable about what you are buying. Know what its selling for elsewhere (internet, big box and mom and pops too). And if they won't move, you have 2 choices, pay their price or walk away. And be prepared to walk away. There will be other days, other stores and other guitars.

FYI: At GC, floor sales staff will tell you they can't change the prices. OK, get someone who can... get a manager. They can and will.

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-- Joe --
77 Bradley Les Paul Custom
06 Ovation Elite-T 1868T-5
12 Martin Custom GPCPA4 RW
07 PRS CE22 MT
11 PRS MC58 Artist
04 Ltd EC-1000FM ASB
95/02 Fender Stratocaster MiM
03 Epiphone '56 Gold Top LP P90
04 Fender Telecaster MiM

Over the years, I have purchased quite a few of my son's guitars from Guitar Center and they are absolutely willing to haggle, in order to earn your business. I would also highly recommend that you shop online at some of the various Fender authorized dealers, in order to find the best price. Then you can have Guitar Center match the deal, but make sure that you are comparing apples with apples and that they have free shipping. Probably the reason that I have gotten really good prices at Guitar Center myself is because all of the merchandise I have purchased from them over the years. You just need to be patient.
Good Luck!

If you play your cards right, you can bargin with them. Pull out some coupons, made offer some crappy trade in. Its better to work with a manager/assistant manger than a floor rep because they have the ability to tweak the numbers. Best to buy at the end of the month because of sales quotas.... Know their game. Trade in values are 60% of what they plan on selling it for.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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