andy67

Want to start a discussion re instrument prices/pricing on both new and second hand. When visiting a local music shop recently, It came as quite a shock the price of a new fender, more specifically the road worn Mike Dirnt precision. I love the look of these basses and pretty much want one. New in shop, they cost £1067 however, on-line I can pick one up for £850. Still expensive but should shops start realising that, given the mark-up is already around the 45%, perhaps they should be more competitive with on-line retailers? I get the overheads and staff cost argument but again given the mark-up, does this really stand up to scrutiny? Given the state of the economy and marketplace, musicians and most buyers are fairly tight for money meaning equipment is more or less sitting in shops or warehouses right now so, why is gear so over priced? Surely a bit of realism in pricing and maybe lowering would see lots of gear shifted really quickly? I started looking at the second hand market and found some of the asking prices nothing short of ridiculous! Fender P new £1100 s/h £800, its no wonder they don't sell!! Again, equipment appears not to be moving as quickly due to most finding extra cash a little tight at the moment so, again, should sellers price their used gear more approriately? As with the above example, Fender seems the most ridiculous in the market. Look around the sites, pre-loved, gumtree, ebay or the more specialised sites and its staggering what some want! Why buy secondhand when for another £100 you could have new! Crazy times we live in ...