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Location: Maine | I was talking with my local ovation retailer today and he informed me that after just returning from the music show in CA., there is a lot of bad news in the guitar business. Major brands that were always back ordered 6 to 8 weeks for delivery to him now have thousands of guitars in surplus. He suggested to be looking at around March and the price incentives will start to be passed along to the consumer through the retailer. These times have another sad effect. Many folks are beginning to turn in great guitars and equipment to get cash. Today I bought a Roland AC-60 (oh, oh, the dreaded AMP again) that he sold new to someone just two months ago for $300. If you've been looking for something special for a while, I would suggest that the next several months are going to be the time to buy it if you can. |
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Location: Melbourne Australia | I wonder if tha will be a worlwide thing or just local to the US? Looking on dreadbay there is no inclination of any lowering of prices or firesales. |
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Location: Vernon CT | Kevin,
I knew this was going to start happening when I started seeing a ton of stuff on C.L. at some crazy prices months back. I knew it would eventually catch up to the "NEW" stuff. The problem I and I am sure many others will have is we don't have the Money to buy anything right now. Some of us are out of work and have been for a while. I myself for 13 months. O.T. here Sent in a resume last week and called to confirm receipt. They tell me they got it and I am one of 300 resumes they received. So, I have a 1/3 of 1% chance of just getting a call for an interview! :eek:
Tuff times for all!! :( |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | On this site alone, some great deals have been popping up regularly. It can't all be GAS, and I don't think Trader Jim is actually contagious.
I've wistfully watched one guitar after another go by the last several months that I would have snacked up like candy a year ago. There are a couple available right now that are at the top of my wish list. But tough times have pretty much turned me into a spectator. |
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Location: Maine | Certainly you are right. It's tough for everyone, and especially so for folks like you who are unemployed. If you look at Musician's Friend you will see stuff where the price has been slashed and then a manufacturers rebate on top of that. This is happening in all industries across the country and guitars and amps are certainly not immune from the same market trends. Companies are going to do some crazy things in order to survive. I am going to be buying a 12 string, but you can bet that I'm waiting a few months to see what kind of deals are going to be out there. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Originally posted by flackster:
I wonder if tha will be a worlwide thing or just local to the US? Are you nuts? :eek: |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I know this sounds unbelievable, but business has been better than ever here. Because I sell a lot of used stuff, I have been able to buy a huge variety of stringed instruments at low prices. And people are BUYING. Even the new stuff is selling. I think it's a combination of things that is causing this. Hot Springs is a pretty "artsy" town, and a lot of talented people live here. And the natives who are farmers and ranchers are staying home and playing music. They are buying guitars (and banjos) for their kids instead of video games. For some reason, AFTER Christmas has been better than before. A month ago my lesson schedule was fairly light. Now I have three people on my waiting list. I know it can't last forever, but for now, I'll take it! |
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Location: Maine | I truly hope your hot streak continues. It's nice to hear of a business doing well. For the rest of us looking to increase our holdings with guitar (ovation) "investments," we'll have to keep an eye out for those deep dish discounts!! :) |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | My business is absolutely booming. Maybe the best its ever been in my 30 years as the CEO. Unfortunately, I work in the bankruptcy court. |
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Location: Maine | bada bing |
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Location: CA | I've talked to a few car mechanics who also say biz is good. Apparently, people are fixing old cars rather than moving up.
My fear is that the snowball is only about halfway down the hill. I hope the rabbit Obama's trying to pull out of the hat is a giant energizer bunny. |
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Location: Citizen of the Galaxy | This is the year to get through. We're going to see one, maybe two more hard jolts down in the stock market, but by mid year, I would guess, it will start stabilizing and moving up. The economy tends to lag the market by about 6 months. When the news seems to be the worst, we'll be at bottom or close to it. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | However, in times of poor economy, it's important to be pretty.
Just click here to search eBay for Mary Kay. No I'm not trying to spam my own site, I'm just say'n, over 25,000 listings!!! from a failry high-end makeup company.
And before ya'll start think'n to hard.. yes.. we sell it too. Just click our store link below if you're interested.
I just found it interesting that like some others, our sales have actually held fairly steady. Personally I wish Hair Bands made a comeback so we could do promos for "guitar with free makeup" or something... but alas...
Hmmm maybe we'll get a pink guitar someday :) |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I think that's because a really GOOD product will sell no matter what the economy is like. You guys could perhaps compare it to your favorite brand of beer. If you drink Bud, you just can't change to Black Label. It may be cheaper, but your taste buds would rebel. A woman who uses a good brand of make-up will scrimp in other areas of her life rather than change to a different brand that makes her feel less attractive than she does with the "good stuff". And even though Mary Kay is expensive, in my opinion, it is by far the best make-up on the market. |
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Location: Maine | And to tie everything in......a girl needs to put on her Mary Kay to look her best before going out to the bar to drink Bud. Because I wouldn't trust a girl, no matter how good she looked, if she were drinking Black Label!! Besides, it's been scientifically proven that girls who wear Mary Kay don't drink Black Label, they drink Miller Lite. Although, some have been spotted drinking Schlitz!! |
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Location: Tennessee | I want you for your pink Cadillac ... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Just wanted to turn this back to evilBay guitars, specifically Ovations.
For my own personal greedy reasons I did a search for 'Auction' over $400... [results]
At the time I looked there were only Seven guitars outta 47 that even had a bid.
So it might be a great time to find a guitar for under $400, but it sux selling one for more.
[This ain't no April Fool thing either :( ] |
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Location: GA USA | That might be the break point at which we subconsciously consider a great guitar to be cheap. When I was shopping for the 1868, I saved a search at $400 or less. I bid just over $400, and got it for $299. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Maybe... I bid $777.77 for an 07 and got it for cheaper. :cool:
But my old standard high bid for a Celebrity was $333.33... And I lost! They went for MORE!
(but I've moved on to higher altitudes, dum me) |
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Location: Michigan | Originally posted by BT717:
Kevin,
I knew this was going to start happening when I started seeing a ton of stuff on C.L. at some crazy prices months back. I knew it would eventually catch up to the "NEW" stuff. The problem I and I am sure many others will have is we don't have the Money to buy anything right now. Some of us are out of work and have been for a while. I myself for 13 months. O.T. here Sent in a resume last week and called to confirm receipt. They tell me they got it and I am one of 300 resumes they received. So, I have a 1/3 of 1% chance of just getting a call for an interview! :eek:
Tuff times for all!! :( Man, I am sorry to hear that. It is really bad here in Michigan also. Unemployment is now over 12% in our area. It is over 24% in the UP where my cabin is. My daughter managed to score a summer job up there...she has the golden touch it seems. Unfortunately I think it will get worse for us before it gets better. We purchased a nice lot to build our dream house on 4 years ago. Just before we were going to put our house on the market the bottom dropped out. Of course we cannot even sell the lot now.
As far as purchasing guitars. I am a bottom feeder...in my dreams I would own an Adamas 1680 but I do not see that coming in the foreseeable future. I picked up the K1115 from Glenn for a ridiculous low price. I felt bad paying so little but really could not pay more. And, I felt worse for Glenn to have to sell it for his reasons.
My wife on the other hand works at a collection law firm. Needless to say business is booming, but it really wears on her to see so many people who cannot pay their bills.
I really hope we can all pull through this. If you are a Christian I was reading a recent verse that hit me between the eyes. Jesus is asked if he can heal a boy who is in bad shape. He replies "if" I can? He says that with faith all can be conquered. The boys father then says I have faith but help me overcome my doubts. (Mark 9). That is where I seem to be most of the time.
I am not trying to proselytize here, rather just expressing my feelings and venting I guess. |
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| Originally posted by twistedlim:
My wife on the other hand works at a collection law firm. Needless to say business is booming, but it really wears on her to see so many people who cannot pay their bills.
I really hope we can all pull through this. If you are a Christian I was reading a recent verse that hit me between the eyes. Jesus is asked if he can heal a boy who is in bad shape. He replies "if" I can? He says that with faith all can be conquered. The boys father then says I have faith but help me overcome my doubts. (Mark 9). That is where I seem to be most of the time.
I am not trying to proselytize here, rather just expressing my feelings and venting I guess. [/QB] Well Rich, I did hear on the radio that repo companies are doing a booming business, as well as mechanics and shoe repairers.
A few weeks ago, I was on YouTube watching four economists give their predictions for the future. All of them said basically the same thing, that 2012 is going to be a really bad year. One of them even predicted food riots and long lines for soup kitchens. One of them also predicted that in 2012, food will become more important than gifts at Christmas
At first I was really depressed about all that they were saying. But then I realized that by doing so, these people are actually warning us so that we can prepare ourselves for the worst. Not to bring up scripture either, but I'm reminded of Joseph and his dreams and how he warned people of the coming lean years.
I've been thinking about learning how to grow my own vegetables and learning how to can them. I figure that even if things don't work out the way the economists predict, I still have a valueable hobby.
My biggest fear, though, about the worsening economy is that people won't pull together and help each other out.
Michelle |
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Location: SoCal | In 1900 a study was done that predicted that by the end of the 20th century, the city of New York would be buried up to 4 feet deep in horse shit.
Last summer, the "experts" were predicting that oil would go up to $400/barrel and gasoline would soon be at $10/gallon.
5 years ago people were warning that George Bush would find someway to extend his presidency beyond 8 years and today people are talking about Obama making the U.S. into a socialist country.
Don't believe the experts. Most couldn't get real work on their best day, and the future is rarely on a straight line from today.
Weren't we all supposed to be piloting flying cars by now? |
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Weren't we all supposed to be piloting flying cars by now? [/QB] Why not? George Jetson does! :D
A co-worker recently gave me a copy of "Logan's Run" to watch. Apparently in 2274, we're all supposed to look like 1976 with bad hair and clothes. ;)
Michelle |
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Location: Flahdaw | The U.S. still grows and produces excess food, to the point where quite a bit is left to rot and quite a bit more is exported. Our population is not growing to any extent.
It's right to be concerned about the rest of the world, but the U.S. should be fine, foodwise.
Water will potentially be a big issue, though.
(If terrorists target our agriculture, water, and electric grid however, all bets are off.) |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | When I was a child in 1960 there were about 180 million people in the USA, 3 Billion in the world.
Now there are 306 million (census counted) people in the USA, and 6.7 Billion in the world. |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | And yet, the Total IQ of the world remains constant!
This is my explanation for the proliferation of stupid people. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
When I was a child in 1960 there were about 180 million people in the USA, 3 Billion in the world.
Now there are 306 million (census counted) people in the USA, and 6.7 Billion in the world. Yes, but US population has held steady for the last 15 years and shows not signs of changing, certainly not by 2012 |
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| Originally posted by darkbarguitar:
(If terrorists target our agriculture, water, and electric grid however, all bets are off.) Very true! I think it is important to buy as much local produce as possible, but what would we do if the terrorists target our water and our electric grid?
Michelle |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | [DBG quote] - "Yes, but US population has held steady for the last 15 years and shows not signs of changing, certainly not by 2012"
Why? You think that the world is gonna end in 2012?
They thought that in.... Aw hell, Pick a Year! |
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Location: Flahdaw | uhhh, no, that was my point. Regardless of what some "experts" say, the US will be fine in 2012 from a food standpoint.
From a HARD ECONOMIC TIMES standpoint, that's a different story. |
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Location: closely held secret | If they would simply stop yammering 24/7 about how "bad" it is, you would be surprised at how fast it could get better... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Amen Wabbit!
If you keep telling me that I am gonna Lose my job, I ain't buying another car/guitar/house etc...
This old car I got runs just fine thank you! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | It's scary that a significant portion of our economy is based upon "consumer confidence." |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I caught a radio show called "coast to coast", it's crazy, they were talking about how hybrid lizard people are walking the earth, and how the mayans predicted that the world will end in 2012. I was wondering if they've ridden the new york subway system? I thought I saw one the other day here in Albany, smoking a cigarette.
I also wonder if I could get a job with the lizard people when they take over. |
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Location: Nashville TN. | Art Bell??????
that you???
LOL |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
It's scary that a significant portion of our economy is based upon "consumer confidence." That's a free capitalist market. Manufacturers manufacture, consumers consume. When the consumers are frightened enough to stop spending money the manufacturers start shutting their doors.
Only a year ago they were telling us the banks were in trouble because we weren't saving money. Now it's our fault because we are... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Only a year ago they were telling us the banks were in trouble because we weren't saving money. Now it's our fault because we are... Well, that was because the banks were spending our money... and they had spent it All!
What also might be hurting the banks is that I have 5 times more money in my sock drawer than I have in my bank account. (of course, that ain't saying much either :D ) |
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Location: Utah | Originally posted by Guitarzannie:
Originally posted by darkbarguitar:
(If terrorists target our agriculture, water, and electric grid however, all bets are off.) Very true! I think it is important to buy as much local produce as possible, but what would we do if the terrorists target our water and our electric grid?
Michelle
Then, relax and enjoy life. We cannot control if someone will take down the power grid or if there will be an earthquake. We can prepare for it, but that is all we can do. Getting into a car accident or catching the flu are far more likely to happen than a major shtf scenario. So drive safely, wear your seatbelt, and wash your hands.
And buy guitars, go out to eat, save a little for retirement. The best thing we can do imo is to live normally. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Well said !!!
People should spend more time focused on the things they CAN control and not waste energy on the things they can't. Always amazed me that people would ignore caring for their children to go march for world peace. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I have always considered myself a grasshopper in a world full of ants. For most of my life, I have had no health insurance.They can't deny payment to me like I hear happening to so many. Besides, I try to stay away from doctors, and I believe I am healthier for it. (I am not over-medicated like so many folks I know.)I never really did save anything for retirement, so I didn't lose anything when the market divebombed. Instead, I played my music and pitied those who were working so hard for rewards that they may never reap. You see, what they forgot to tell you in that story about the grasshopper and the ants is that after working so hard all summer long, the November rains came and drowned all of those ants in their holes. So the grasshopper and the ants all wound up dead, but at least the grasshopper got to ENJOY his life. That's me. |
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Location: SoCal | One of the worst things I find myself doing, when I'm working during the day at my desk (I work out of my house), is reading all the news stories and blogs on the internet. Depresses the hell outta me (and cuts into porn time -- that stuff doesn't download itself, you know).
I'm much happier when I'm out working, seeing clients, hanging out with my family and making music with friends. The world seems just fine at that point...... |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Paul - I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm in the exact same situation. I'm on a stretch here of about 2 or 3 straight weeks at home. I'm going stir crazy! |
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Location: SoCal | Try downloading some porn.... |
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HARD ECONOMIC TIMES