I recently wrote a post listing the five items to check when you’re buying a guitar. And, while getting a good instrument is the first priority, the second one should be getting the best possible deal on it. Here are five tips to help you bring your new baby home for the lowest possible price:
1. Do your research
Once you’ve been to the guitar store and found a few instruments that you like, your next step should be to go online and get the inside scoop about them. Check the manufacturers’ websites to learn about the specifications and warrantees. Also do searches on guitar forums for comments from actual owners of the instruments to see what they like and don’t like, and possibly what they paid. If there’s not enough information on a forum, you can always add your own comment, such as “Anybody played the Ibanez ART100 Artist?” to generate more comments. Finally, check music store websites and call local stores to check the current going rates for the instruments in which you’re interested.
2. Never, ever pay list price
This should be your mantra as you get ready to make your purchase. In fact, it’s so important, I’ll say it again: never, ever pay list price. Some people assume that if a guitar lists for $699, that’s what they’ll be expected to pay. In fact, music stores and websites expect to sell you the instrument for less than list price. Some stores even show the list price and the store price just to impress you in advance with the discount you’ll be getting. And even the store price can be negotiable.
3. Keep your salesperson on a need-to-know basis
If you begin by telling your salesperson that you’re in love with a particular guitar and you have to have it right now, you’ve tipped your hand and are likely to get a smaller discount since the salesperson’s job is to sell you the instrument for as much as possible. So keep it casual. Mention that you’ve seen several nice guitars in other stores. Also, try out a few other guitars besides the one you’ve got your eye on, including some that are cheaper (read: smaller commission) so your salesperson will be happy when you happen to gravitate toward the more expensive model. And don’t appear to be in a hurry to buy a guitar today.
4. Ask if the price you’re paying includes a case
Some guitars come with cases and some don’t, so this is an important factor in determining the value of your deal. If your instrument does come with a case, check if it’s a hard shell case or a soft gig bag. Hard shell cases are worth about $100 while gig bags sell for about $45.
5. Ask for extras
Once you’ve negotiated your discount, there’s one more move you can make—ask your salesperson to throw in some accessories free of charge, such as extra sets of strings, picks, a capo or a guitar cable.
Tip: Before you plunk down your money there’s one more subject to discuss—the store’s return policy. You should have the right to return your instrument for any reason, no questions asked, for at least one week after your purchase date for a full refund or at least an exchange. Make sure you clearly understand the return policy that applies to your guitar.
[photo: jronaldlee]
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Good article, but buying a guitar seems overly complicated. I’m new to the instrument and was wondering, for a beginner, if it is possible to learn guitar without actually having one to play?
Well, I did see a great deal on an air guitar at Mad Music the other day. That might be worth looking into….
LOL @Joe Nueby… Perhaps a Rock Band video game in the future?
Douglas – glad to see my photo was useful for you… see we use the same blog theme, too.
thanx for the advice Douglas and James and while both are excellent suggestions, i really want to play the real thing but really don’t have the time, aptitude, or interest. i will continue to search for answers on this blog, though.