Musician's Friend - Sale Mania 2005

[SEEGERMANY]

Have you received your 2005 sales catalog? If so, flip on over to page nine and look in the far right bottom corner. You'll see an add for the Gibson ES-335 Reissue on sale for <font color="red"> $1999.00 </font>. Now, if you'll read through the add, you will see that if you order the ebony or antique natural, that's another $850. Vintage sunburst, wine red, heritage cherry, Beale St. Blue, and light burst all command an additional $350. If you're poor and have lousy taste in color, you can pay an additional $250 for transparent brown.

Being the arsehole that I am, I decided to call Musician's Friend and inquire about the ES-335. Here's how the call went.

Me: Yes, I'd like some information on item number 517280, the ES-335.
Salesman: How can I help you.
Me: Yes, can you tell me exactly which model and color are on sale for $1999.00?
Salesman: Sir, the Gibson ES-355 is on sale for that amount.
Me: Well, according to the add, if I choose certain colors, then the amount increases.
Salesman: That's correct.
Me: Well, I want the ES-335 that sells for $1999.00 no matter what color it is.
Salesman: &lt;very long pause&gt; Sir, I'm not sure what color that would be. $1999.00 is our base price.
Me: I understand. I want the base ES-335.
Salesman: &lt;extremely long pause&gt; All available colors are mentioned in the add.
Me: So, you're saying that in reality, you guys don't have an ES-335 for sale for $1999.00.
Salesman: I think that's correct.
Me: Thanks for taking the time to explain this to me, but I had my heart set on a base model, no matter what the color.
Salesman: I understand. Sorry I couldn't help.

[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Jack Napalm]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

There is an ebony one listed on their site for 1999.00.

[etaeniura]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

it should say "Ebony, or antique natural (add 850)"

Ebony is the base color on alot of GIbbies (like les pauls) and the upcharge is for any other color. I really don't understand how other solid colors can be more expensive, and I certainly can't see hoe "antique natural" a.k.a-clearcoat-can cost an addtional 850 bucks.

[Hollywood]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

That's too funny! The ol' bait and switch. I make a lot of Simpson's references, but they always seem to fit....that salesman sounds like the crackly voiced teenager who has about 17 different jobs. I say call back and pull a Crank Yankers on him. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] A local store here has their annual "1/2 price sale", but they don't tell you that the employees have an annual "jack the price up party" the night before. I think you're supposed to notice a big difference in the price when you go to a 1/2 price sale! [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img] At least we can trust our JCF dealers to treat us right! And possibly give us a little discount. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[RacerX]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

I love these "transcript" posts, because I do them myself! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[lerxstcat]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

Hassling the initial salesperson isn't that fun though. I like to make the supervisors talk to me as well, and use the argument "If YOU can't make the decision, I need to speak to someone who can". Depends on how much time you have to waste, but I'd bet you could get a ES335 for $1,999 if you realy wanted it.I've tormented management there many times over the years. I don't take "policy" as a valid answer, as policies are just guidelines and businesses have to be flexible to get and keep customers. Eventually they give me what I want and waive the shipping so they can get back to video golf or whatever.The first person on the phone is just an order taker, they're not empowered to do anything so the answer is always "no". Go up the ladder, and in this case mention fraudulent advertising, and they'll give you the base price. If they don't, tell them you'll report their fraud to the appropriate authorities, and do so.

[hippietim]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

[ QUOTE ]
...and I certainly can't see hoe "antique natural" a.k.a-clearcoat-can cost an addtional 850 bucks.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is probably because they save the best looking tops for natural. They can put any old top on something that is gonna be painted black.

[pagemalicious]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] that guy was OWNED

[sully]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

just looking at the ad, and i'd say that the black one is the $1999.00 one.

sully

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

I read somewhere they have 5150 for $749

[toddstaples]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

they did, but are now all out.........

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

If you think this salesman was bad, he has a co-worker that's a real gem. Back in April, I called to order some guitar hangers. I needed 24 wall units and Musician's Friend had them priced at $14.99 each or two for $19.99. So I told the guy I needed 24 units and for him to quote back the total price. As God as my witness, I went through hell with this dork.

He first quoted me $359.76, that's $14.99 each. Then he quoted me $439.78, that's $19.99 for the first two units and $14.99 for the next 22 units. I then said "excuse me, but best case scenario, shouldn't you quote me 12 pairs of units at $19.99 for a total of 239.88?"

This yokel paused and then answered with pure brilliance. "Sir, that would require 12 seperate orders."

[img]/images/graemlins/help.gif[/img]

[Deneb]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

What a goober. It it's 2 for a price, he should group them like that, just that many times over on the invoice,
2Wall hangers-19.99
2Wall hangers-19.99
2Wall hangers-19.99

see what I mean?

[RacerX]

Re: Musician\'s Friend - Sale Mania 2005

Don't leave me hanging; did you finally get your hangers at the correct price? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]