Gibson Advertising

[MikeStrat]

I've noticed as I'm sure most of you have that Gibson does not allow dealers to post pictures of inventory. Although, I have seen some dealers still have their inventory posted. As a frequent guitar buyer, I personally search the various dealer sites looking for guitars that catch my eye. Having said this, why the hell would Gibson tell their dealers not to post pictures of their inventory? I would think it would hurt sales. Unless you are a GC who has more stores than 7-11. It has to have an impact on the small dealer. If a small dealer had to soley depend on walk-in business, I would imagine that it wouldn't take long before it would be closing it's doors for good.

[JACKSONFREAK]

It's a marketing ploy. Its trying to get the customer into the stores to look and find the one they want. As opposed to looking on line for one and then when they get there it's either gone or it was never there to begin with. causing false advertising issues etc.. but then they are Gibson. They feel they can do what they want and people still buy thier guitars. it's the only company i can think of where they raise the prices redicululously and the sales go up.
Gil

[Newc]

They know they have rampant inconsistency, so they want you to go to the store and find the good one. Plus, if a dealer ships a guitar to a buyer who has not inspected the guitar first-hand, then the buyer ships it back because it's not worth what he paid due to the numerous issues, and UPS breaks it, the dealer is stuck with it, and Gibson has to replace it.

[Bengal65]

Yeah, I was wondering about this crap myself. Martin guitars did this same thing awhile back if I'm not mistaken. They soon gave up and allowed the pictures in the listing. The only thing remaining with Martin, is dealers prices could not be listed in catalogs or on-line. In this case you have to email or call the dealer.

Dave's Guitar Shop in Wisc. used to be a big Custom Shop Gibson dealer going way back. A couple of years ago, I believe he said screw it and gave up the Gibson dealership (or Gibson took it). I think Gibson's policy has hurt quite a few dealerships in the past with this policy. Especially, the medium to small businesses.

[lefty]

They know they have rampant inconsistency, so they want you to go to the store and find the good one.

!
You got that right! I was in a Daddy's Store a
month ago, and the three Gibbys hanging
behind the counter had orange peel in the clearcoat
that was plainly visible from 15 feet away.
Wouldn't have been quite so sad if they hadn't
been hanging next to a couple of Ibanezes
AND Epis with flawless clearcoat!

When will people wake up and vote with their
feet to make Gibby more accountable for QC?

theo

[jwoods986]

Probably explains why the local chain around here, Ken Stanton Music, is dropping Gibson. Plus, I read on the LPF that, in addition to the Internet policy, dealers are required to stock a certain amount of Gibsons, which I'm sure smaller (i.e. not GC or Sam Ass) dealers don't want to (or can't) do. Quite a few guys on the LPF have said they have not bought a new Gibson since this policy - plus the higher prices in the last few years.

[straycat]

I just got a 2006 Faded L.P. from First Quality Music in Louisville KY and am quite pleased.The finish is perfect(nice flame mahogony top), nut is perfect.Fret inlays are more like the historics(lots of pop).
The fret ends are the only thing that need attention.I'll do that myself.
Great guitar.

[Bryan @ Work]

There is no Gibson dealer in my area, mainly due to these policies. The closest Gibson dealer is 1 hour away (Baton Rouge) at the Guitar Center.

It doesn't really bother me but for those who like Gibsons and want to try before they buy, it must be very frustrating.

But then again GC is also my closest Jackson dealer. That really sucks for me.... Especially since they only stock import models, which aren't bad but I'd like to see and feel a USA Jackson once in a while.

[MikeStrat]

Companies that get too big for the britches will find they can be replaced by alternatives. It just seems to me that these moves by Gibson are not only arogant but downright stupid.

Gibsons Business/Marketing Plan:
1. Romove all pictures from internet so only limited local dealer traffic will be able to see our offerings.
2. Require dealers to carry more stock than necessary. In doing so we will reduce the number of dealers that will have the ability to carry our products.
3. Reduce quality of our products.
4. Increase prices to give the illusion that the buyer is getting something special.

Makes perfect sense to me.

[missionguitars1]

Companies that get too big for the britches will find they can be replaced by alternatives. It just seems to me that these moves by Gibson are not only arogant but downright stupid.

Gibsons Business/Marketing Plan:
1. Romove all pictures from internet so only limited local dealer traffic will be able to see our offerings.
2. Require dealers to carry more stock than necessary. In doing so we will reduce the number of dealers that will have the ability to carry our products.
3. Reduce quality of our products.
4. Increase prices to give the illusion that the buyer is getting something special.

Makes perfect sense to me.

You forgot number 5 - "Make sure NO ONE but current dealers are allowed into our secret display room at NAMM so no one knows what new models might be coming out".

I swear - who runs this place? I will say that the finish on most of the Les Pauls of late has been horrible - does anyone there know how to grain-fill mahogany?

[Chasbo]

My local stocking dealer has a dozen LP's hanging and to a one they all look as nice as the Epi's and Ibanez's and fenders he also stocks. QC bad? That is the whole idea behind the idea of trying before you buy. I agree that playability is hit or miss, but that is equally true with Fender. I have tried brand new strats where the trem arm wont screw into the trem because the hole in the trem plate didn't align with the trem block and also noticed sharp fret ends on some American Strats. No company is perfect, but a good dealer fixes the problems in the initial setup.

My dealer has complained about the number of guitars he has to commit to each year. He said they about broke his bank this last time. I feel bad about that, because I don't want to lose him as a Gibson dealer.

chuck

[lefty]

[QUOTE ... I read on the LPF that, in addition to the Internet policy, dealers are required to stock a certain amount of Gibsons, which I'm sure smaller (i.e. not GC or Sam Ass) dealers don't want to (or can't) do. [/QUOTE]

Not only do they have to buy a quota of pieces, they also
have to buy stuff they'll have a hard time selling, c.f. high-
end banjos, mandolins and acoustic guitars. A Gibby dealer
can't just order LPs, SGs and other stuff that most of his
customers want...

theo

[lefty]

I just got a 2006 Faded L.P. from First Quality Music in Louisville KY and am quite pleased.The finish is perfect(nice flame mahogony top), nut is perfect.Fret inlays are more like the historics(lots of pop).
The fret ends are the only thing that need attention.I'll do that myself.
Great guitar.

But it's pretty sad that you should HAVE to touch up the
fret ends on a $2k guitar...

theo

[straycat]

I worked on a L.P.artist $8000.00+. The nut had been cut to low and the strings were laying on the first fret. There was lots of dirt under the clearcoat,the pots had not been snugged down all the way so Gibson has a quality control problem we all know this.Its a shame yes but they don't care.

[StukaJU87]

Gibson isn't the only guitar manufacturer with QC issues these days. They are just the favorite bashee.