Buying a new guitar during a dealer promotion can double the cost. Buying an almost-new guitar on Kijiji is about half price but you won’t get warranty or return privileges.
By Stephen Pate – Like me, you’re probably tempted by ads touting “April is Gibson Guitar Month”. If you get that special guitar, you may end up paying double what the guitar is worth.
Gibson J-45 on bi-weekly payments will double your cost (illustration Long and McQuade amount may vary)
With easy bi-weekly payment terms, the guitar will cost twice as much as it should. There are better ways to save on that new guitar like an almost-new guitar on Kijiji or dealer B-stock.
In the Long and McQuade ad that came in my email, the Gibson J-45 is offered at $2,175. That’s the street price for the Gibson J-45 Standard
Below that are the time payments of $41 bi-weekly which seems cheap, an amount anyone can afford. Add up the payments and it comes to $3,195. That is a lot of money for a Gibson J-45 Standard.
Financing charges are a big profit center for chain music stores. There’s nothing evil in that: it’s just not good money-sense for consumers. You can easily get the same guitar for half price.
The moment you leave the store with your new, easy-payment guitar it’s worth about $1,600 on Kijiji or from a dealer as B-stock. Last year I bought a Gibson Southern Jumbo for a total price of $2,500. I sold it on Kijiji for $1,850 seven months later. There wasn’t a mark on the Gibson SJ. That’s just the way the price drops on used guitars.
B-stock guitars
So for the thrill of owning a brand new Gibson guitar on expensive time payments, you fork over double the money. A better deal is a used instrument on Kijiji or a B-stock J-45 for $1,589 on ZZ Sounds. The J-45 is a common guitar and deals on used, rental or B-stock are always on the go.
B-stock usually means the guitar has a small blemish. The moment you play the new guitar it will have belt-rash, pick scratches or a neck mark from the guitar stand. It does not affect the sound.
Some unscrupulous dealers sell B-stock as first grade guitars. I can’t name them or they might sue me but I know it happens. Sales people have told me. The regional manager of a large music store chain tossed off “Let the buyer beware” reminding me they were not obliged to tell the customer anything.
Another way to save money are “no interest” deals. Of course the payments are higher but you are saving money. There is a danger if you miss a payment they can slap tons on interest on your account.
Buying a new guitar
Sometimes, nothing is better than getting the latest model and getting it brand new. New guitars generally have return privileges and warranty, something you don’t get on Kijiji. I often buy new guitars and amps when there is an especially good deal and the model is a just out, like the new Fender Vaporizer Amp Preview which I got at a super price from L.A Music for $399.99 with free freight. The amp is a brand new model and they won’t be discounted on Kijiji for a while.
If you do decide to buy a new guitar, try some of the great prices for guitars on Amazon.com
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