Cost shown in configurator vs store price

[Jeremy Bender]

What is a realistic (if any) discount to expect from an authorized dealer compared to the price displayed in the SQ2 Configurator?

For example 10, 20 or 30% off?

[drummermark]

I think a good way to determine an average is to see what stores currently have kits available, configure that exact same one and look at the difference. This of course doesn’t take into account if you have a rapport with a particular dealer and their willingness to have some wiggle room.

[DaveInNZ]

I'm told (though yet to verify whether it's just the dealer trying it on for size) that in Australia and New Zealand, the configurator price is about as cheap as it's possible for a dealer to get their pricing discounted to. Or to put it another way, zero discounts and you'll be lucky if we can match the configurator's price.

[tcbetka]

My understanding is that unlike the "old days" of MSRP values, these days the price shown is the minimum advertised price (MAP). And as such there is very little meat left on the bone in terms of a discount. At least that's what Iv'e been told. So there may not be much, if any, discount from the price(s) listed on a dealer's website.

That said there will always be times when a dealer might want to clear out an item that's been in stock for quite a while--or they may simply discount a price as part of an incentive given when you might be buying a large package of product. For instance, an SQ2 kit is MAP'd for $6500 but you also want $2500 of new cymbals...so in order to make the deal, they'll sell you the kit for $6000. That sort of thing.

Otherwise, and especially if you're ordering said kit, I doubt you'll see much of a "discount" for these drums anymore. At least that's the way it's been described to me.

[Jules]

I am going to give you a simple answer, then complicate the hell out of it.

10-15% I would say is realistic.

Where it can get sticky is in the details. Are we talking about a custom order kit? Are we talking about one that just landed at the store, or one they have had a while? These all have different things to consider.

Points to ponder:

1) Custom order kits don't require the dealer to tie up money in inventory. At the same time, the dealer needs to turn a reasonable profit in order to maintain business, and to avoid devaluing the product. Example: one may try to make the argument that for a 15 piece drum set the dealer should be happy with $500 profit since all they did was took the UPID and put the order through to the distributor. $500 wasn't bad for 30 minutes of work. And if he was selling one every 30 minutes, he may be happy with that sort of markup. But realistically, it's not realistic. Not to mention that there are all sorts of things that could cause major troubles for the dealer. Like items getting damaged in shipping. The finish wasn't quite what the customer expected. The customer knocked up his next door neighbor and decides to do a charge back on the credit card. Any other cause of buyer's remorse. Go a step further. The customer did something stupid and blames the factory and everyone in the chain loses. I am aware of this actually happening many years ago, though I wasn't involved.

2) Fresh/somewhat recently received inventory of such a specialized nature could sell without having to discount it drastically. A dealer may give a discount as a customer courtesy to win new business or consistent with established pricing practices for returning customers. Since you aren't going to get the same thing from a competitor, there wouldn't be the same urgency to scoop out a big chunk of profit.

3) Older SQ2 inventory may be where you can really score a deal. Dead inventory isn't good for business. If you are shopping for top of the line gear and yet expect a bargain basement price, this is where you most likely will find it. If you can find something you like that has been around for a few tax seasons; I would personally low ball at 40% off just to see what sort or reaction you get. Make the first move, though. Go in with an offer and an explanation. "Hey, you've had this a while and there obviously hasn't been enough interest in it to get it sold. Figuring there is likely going to be a little shop wear here and there, I would feel good about paying $4,800 instead of the $8,000 you have been asking for it"

You are probably going to get a counter offer, but you can haggle until you feel like you have gotten as far as you are going to get. I can tell you from personal experience that if you force them to toss out the first price and they give you a price they think is fair, they probably aren't going to budge much. And as a former dealer; former salesperson for a very large retailer and frequent buyer and seller of gear, it is much easier to negotiate when the potential buyer gives you an idea up of how much he values (in terms of an offer) what you are are selling. You get to the point much quicker and without so much frustration. ESPECIALLY if you are going to low ball.

Hope this helps.

[DaveInNZ]

I envy the world you lot live in

NZ took the stance an SQ2, let alone the 150th kits were something you'd only see if you ordered it. No stock in the country otherwise. Meaning no discounts on old stock at a later date, ever.

But to be fair, I don't blame them. There's a Gretsch 140th kit that's been sat without a sniff of interest for years. The DW 25th kit they had took nearly two years to sell. They still have all of the limited run Zildjian 400th stuff sat around. Why would you ever order premium gear for stock when it doesn't sell?

[Jules]

I envy the world you lot live in

NZ took the stance an SQ2, let alone the 150th kits were something you'd only see if you ordered it. No stock in the country otherwise. Meaning no discounts on old stock at a later date, ever.

But to be fair, I don't blame them. There's a Gretsch 140th kit that's been sat without a sniff of interest for years. The DW 25th kit they had took nearly two years to sell. They still have all of the limited run Zildjian 400th stuff sat around. Why would you ever order premium gear for stock when it doesn't sell?

WOW. I just don't know what else to say.

[tcbetka]

Well, then I guess that also sort of tells you whether or not you should order a "high-end" kit...

I mean, we don't buy kits to re-sell of course, but if a guy gets hit by a bus...his family still needs to get rid of the thing. Also, if (like me) you decide to move on to the next big thing in 1-2 years, you're really going to take it in the shorts when it comes to being able to re-sell it.

This is why I am largely going to concentrate on 1) getting a few more drums for this used vintage kit I bought, and 2) playing the hell out of them.

[DaveInNZ]

I hear you...

Though my stance is as much as possible, buy something to keep it. Next time it will be for sale will be when I'm finished. I say this now, of course hoping I have a bit of time left to go, but I'd be more inclined to donate my stuff, just to the right person.

[krusher74]

I envy the world you lot live in

NZ took the stance an SQ2, let alone the 150th kits were something you'd only see if you ordered it. No stock in the country otherwise. Meaning no discounts on old stock at a later date, ever.

But to be fair, I don't blame them. There's a Gretsch 140th kit that's been sat without a sniff of interest for years. The DW 25th kit they had took nearly two years to sell. They still have all of the limited run Zildjian 400th stuff sat around. Why would you ever order premium gear for stock when it doesn't sell?

I guess its very similar here in ireland as we have similar populations. When i go to the Irish drum show the one shop from dublin that attends and is the sonor Ireland dealer does not bring much. Thats stiff that sits in hops for years tends to in the end sell to an international buyer through the internet because they are scouring the world for one and that's the only place with one left for sale. No major companies come to the show, no zildjian, Sabian, paiste, tama pearl sonor. it's a small affair