I'm a long time guitar player and I think I want to pick up a tenor uke. I know from experience that guitar prices are often negotiable and I'm wondering if it's the same with ukes. If it makes any difference, I'll probably buy through The Ukulele site.
I have never tried it online but I suppose it won't hurt to try. A friend of mine, after returning to the states from Bolivia, bartered with the folks at Target for some item and they lowered the price.
I'm a long time guitar player and I think I want to pick up a tenor uke. I know from experience that guitar prices are often negotiable and I'm wondering if it's the same with ukes.
I would assume that it might depend on the individual instrument and the shop, if it is a piece that's been at store/site for a long time it might be easier.
I tend to pay the asking price unless a listing specifically says make an offer or such, which I've done successfully. I once heard Jerry Lewis say that he always pays retail so that he doesn't feel guilty when he has to go back for problem.
8 tenor cutaway ukes, 3 acoustic bass ukes, 8 solid body bass ukes, 7 mini electric bass guitars
Maybe it's different in the guitar world. For example, over at Sweetwater they're asking $2459 for a Martin D18 but there are a number of dealers who will sell it to you for around $1860. The formula isn't the same for every make, but you can generally expect to buy a quality guitar for less than the marked price.
It may be easier to negotiate the used market. The independent uke dealers here typically do a lot of setup work in advance, so you’re paying for their TLC. Many ukes out of the box need work to get the intonation and frets right, unless they’re st the high end of the scale. A good set up is worth the money, unless you’re competent enough to do the work yourself.
Maybe it's different in the guitar world. For example, over at Sweetwater they're asking $2459 for a Martin D18 but there are a number of dealers who will sell it to you for around $1860. The formula isn't the same for every make, but you can generally expect to buy a quality guitar for less than the marked price.
You don't have to sell me on a good set up. I've been an acoustic guitar player for 45 years and that's a lesson I learned a long time ago. Judging by what I've read here and elsewhere, HMS/The Ukulele Site does a good job on that front and that's why I'm leaning towards buying from them, although I'm sure there are other fine dealers out there the provide quality service.
You don't have to sell me on a good set up. I've been an acoustic guitar player for 45 years and that's a lesson I learned a long time ago. Judging by what I've read here and elsewhere, HMS/The Ukulele Site does a good job on that front and that's why I'm leaning towards buying from them, although I'm sure there are other fine dealers out there the provide quality service.
The only ukulele I negotiated the price on was one I bought on Reverb. It was used, but listed in mint condition. The seller was a smaller guitar shop. I offered $125 less than the listed asking price & it was accepted. The uke was indeed mint (like brand new) and I paid $220 less than if I had bought new, direct from the builder. I suppose since Mim sells through Reverb, you could make her an offer?
I mostly have paid the asking price, but did get a price break from one seller who has just been mentioned. In that situation, the ukulele hadn't sold for a while, (I think over a year), so it was a good deal for both of us to negotiate on price.
I did sell one here for less than my asking price, and I suspect that others have been willing to negotiate in the UU marketplace.
It can't hurt to see if someone is open to adjusting a price, but depending on the ukulele & the demand for it, the seller may not have any reason to negotiate.
The only way a store stays in business is to make a profit, without stores, (brick & mortar or internet), there aren't any goods available to Joe Public.
Search for a good price, then ask if they can match it, most can & will to obtain the sale.
(Personally, I usually find a price I'm OK with & just buy it.)
Thank you. That's good information to have.
The attached picture is most of my instruments. I'm not sure how I went so long without owning a uke. View attachment 110238
That is an awesome picture, I love the background, wonderful collection. If you think guitars multiple on their own watch out..........ukes are like rabbits.
The only way a store stays in business is to make a profit, without stores, (brick & mortar or internet), there aren't any goods available to Joe Public.
Search for a good price, then ask if they can match it, most can & will to obtain the sale.
(Personally, I usually find a price I'm OK with & just buy it.)
I agree w/Croaky Keith when it comes to the smaller operations. These well-known uke dealers are trying to make a decent living. They provide us with great instruments at fair prices that include excellent service. Personally, it feels disrespectful to ask them for a better price on a new instrument. I like the idea of supporting them by paying their asking prices.
I wonder if stores would start jacking the prices of stuff so that they had some dicker room on them. I don't know if that is how it is with used instruments, but that's how we do it with old motorcycles and cars when we sell them.
I've sold quite a number of instruments over the years (I'm not a dealer, I just have a problem ). I'm never bothered by an offer; an offer is the beginning of a negotiation, and a negotiation is the beginning of a sale. You can't sell something if you're not talking. I've also found that no matter how much you list something for, someone will always ask you to sell it for less . I could list a Kamaka here for $10 and I guarantee you someone would message me and say "Could you take $5?"
Thank you. That's good information to have.
The attached picture is most of my instruments. I'm not sure how I went so long without owning a uke. View attachment 110238
That's quite a cache you have there. A cursory review of the headstocks indicates that you might be looking at a higher quality ukulele. To just throw out a name, such as Collings. They no longer make ukuleles, but excellent examples can be found used. And they have good resale.
This does relate to your price question. Unlike your D-18 example, where you are able to go to a local Guitar Center and find that Martin or Taylor, you may be hard pressed to find multiple offerings a particular ukulele, even online. Harder to find in demand instruments command a premium, you will get a better deal on ukuleles that are more readily available, but the used market will give you the best value.
Thanks John. I've been going back and forth on what to buy. I was thinking about maybe getting a Kanile'a K-1 T tenor. I think tenor is what I want but I don't have enough experience to really know that. I'm also not sure about what nut width. On guitars, I prefer a wider nut ...1 13/16 is the most comfortable for me. So now I'm thinking maybe I should buy something less expensive as a kind of test run. The Kala KA-ZCT-T seems like it might be a good choice for initially dipping my toe in the water.
