So I looked at a guitar at the local Guitar Center (I hate GC but they have it in stock). Higher end Left Handed Ibanez Prestige made in Japan. It was $2199 in the store, and you can get 10% off if you apply for their stupid credit card.

Today the website shows $2399 - about a 10% increase. This is already in stock and they didn't have to pay any tariff on it. It's been in the store since February from what I was told.

I can understand marking things up that actually were subject to the tariff.

Yes I know the retail principle of pricing for the incoming stock, but really...

Thinking it would be a speculator's market.

Like fuel, they claim the price is based upon what it would cost to replace the item after it sells, not what it cost them to get one available.

The part where they make a fat wad of cash on the initial transaction? Well...

Would you be ok paying a tariff upcharge 6 months after it was rescinded on an item in stock for 7 months?

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
Would you be ok paying a tariff upcharge 6 months after it was rescinded on an item in stock for 7 months?

Not sure I understand what you mean.

quote:

Originally posted by Lefty Sig:

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
Would you be ok paying a tariff upcharge 6 months after it was rescinded on an item in stock for 7 months?

Not sure I understand what you mean.

He's saying a guitar the store brought in and paid tariffs on it and priced accordingly. Then tariffs are ended and they can bring in guitars without tariffs. Would you be willing to buy the guitar they paid tariffs on at the higher price knowing that the tariffs just ended?

I think it's similar to gas. When the barrel price goes up, the price at the pump go up immediately. And when the barrel price goes down, the pump price continues at the higher price until the old inventory is flushed out.

I think it's really what the market will bear. For non-commodities such as the guitar from Japan, they really can't sell if for pre-tariff price knowing they'll have to replace it at a higher cost because of the tariffs.

Lefty, I know a guy in corporate that could help you out with this. I built a brand new studio this year and just spent a LOT of got damn money (0% helps tremendously) with him. He can be trusted. Holler if you need him.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Would you be willing to buy the guitar they paid tariffs on at the higher price knowing that the tariffs just ended?

My immediate thought as well.

I look at this like gasoline prices.

Middle East does some stupid shit and oil (gas) prices immediately go up at the pump.

But that gas has been in the gas station's tanks for several days.

I made a pre-emptive purchase from Sweetwater at the pre-tariff price. A vocal harmony pedal at about $250 which I've been eying for more than a year.

As far as selling something more costly like a guitar for an upcharge, I think it is bad form. It would leave me feeling negatively towards that seller. Especially since we are in a bit of a buyer's market for guitars these days.

A musical instrument store would have to make a calculated risk whether to buy any new inventory while a new tariff is in place. Especially when it seems likely that the tariff will be temporary.