Author Topic: Another !0 percent ... (Read 1197 times)

bigbadbill · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2006, 10:24:21 AM »

Quote - Your employers give increases. Do you complain? My union is always whining about getting more money and it really bothers me. If I want more than they are offering then I will move on.

Firstly, you could offer more support to people who are trying to do their best for you. And yes, I do complain, and I know there are others out there who are far worse off than me.

Secondly, and with all due respect, it must be great to able to move on just like that. Where I am, there's nothing to move on to, short of seasonal work, which pays even less. I work for the biggest employer in the area, and they know they have us over a barrel. Sure I could retrain, but I'd have to take time out of my job to do that, and rather ironically can't afford to do that and still keep up the mortgage payments.

Alembics cost what they do, just as Ferraris do. Some lucky people will be able to afford them, or at least be able to justify to themselves being able to afford them. But they are indeed a luxury, and many people don't have a choice when it comes to luxuries, when they've mortgages to pay and mouths to feed.

This is in no way meant to reflect on Alembic, but is most definitely aimed at those who think everyone has a choice as to whether or not they can buy one.

davr35 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2006, 10:38:51 AM »

Alembic has the right to charge what they do for it's product. Just as we have the right to complain about what they charge. The fact is as great as they are they have always been overpriced. I for one can not and most likely will not be able to afford a new one so I'm sticking to the used market. Though the used market is getting overpriced as well.

811952 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2006, 11:02:13 AM »

My Series 1.5 was roughly $3600.00 new back in 1981. Even then and at that price I couldn't imagine how they possibly made a nickle off of the sale. A year earlier I bought a big-ass Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup for just under $8k new. Alembic's prices haven't gone up as much as Detroit's in the intervening years. Keep in mind also that the Santa Rosa area isn't exactly the cheapest place in the world to live...

John

flaxattack · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2006, 12:32:44 PM »

i dont get it.....
everytime alembic raises their price there is this bullshit outcry from club members
everyone is entitled to make a living
you me and them
want an alembic? pay the price, buy a used one buy a fender or move on
geez louise

adriaan · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2006, 01:37:05 PM »

Not sure if any of this perceived anger is supposed to be emanating from me. If it is, then that is a misconception.

I would love to order one at the dealer discount price in dollars. But I live in Europe, and the best on offer seems to be the MSRP in dollars, paid 1-on-1 in euros. That's 30% more, as the exchange rate is 1.30 USD to the euro.

You can't blame the dealer - I don't think it's much cheaper when buying in the US yourself, as you have to pay import duties anyway.

bigbadbill · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2006, 02:17:53 PM »

Jeff, I certainly wasn't posting as a bullshit outcry. As I said, my comments aren't supposed reflect on Alembic. My point is that there are many who simply can't afford one, however much they want one. There seems to be an undercurrent of hey, if you're not willing to pay the price then go find something else. The point is, it's not about being willing to pay the price for some, they just can't, they haven't got the money, in the same way that most of us could never even dream of owning a Ferrari, no matter how much we might want one. Alembic have every right to charge what they want, there's no argument there.

Adriaan, I agree. Maybe it's worse in Europe (I'm in the UK); as you say, a dealer price here works out at retail$, which I'm sure is considerably more than the actual cost in the US.

speicky · « **Reply #21 on:** December 07, 2006, 03:04:03 PM »

please consider that you have to pay the value added tax here in the European Community, and that is significantly higher than in the States, I guess... it's something from 15% to well over 20%, depending on the member country.

I wasn't aware when I bought Peggy last year. I paid free of customs and taxes to G-Guitars, CT, and a friend brought her over here to Zurich, Switzerland. I picked her up there, and when trying to enter German territory again, I learned the hard way that you have to pay VAT (and customs) on any good that is being imported to the EC, regardless of private person or company, regardless of where you paid or archieved ownership of the good in question.

In Germany, we have a very special governmental December special, because VAT goes up from 16% to 19%, taking effect on 01-01-2007.

Christian

speicky · « **Reply #22 on:** December 07, 2006, 03:08:09 PM »

... not only on ALEMBIC imports, of course ;-)

keith_h · « **Reply #23 on:** December 07, 2006, 03:20:00 PM »

The EU VAT is one reason I get so upset every time I hear folks complain about tax rates here in the US. I try to tell them that our overall tax rates are quite low compared to the rest of the industrial world and that we should be thankful for that. Instead I watch as our infrastructure goes to pot (not to be confused with the consumable herb) and our children are indebted to the hilt by more tax cuts. Well time to get off of my soap box and cook dinner.

Keith

jbybj · « **Reply #24 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:14:51 PM »

Rich people always get the better stuff, as long as they have the taste and good sense to know whats better. Are we upset because Alembic raised the prices, or because we are not rich? It's all about priorities people. If you can't afford one, or choose not to make it a priority, then just be happy without it. Jeez, everyone reading this, whether you have an Alembic or not, has music in your life. That alone puts you on a higher plain than most. Life is rich, sex is free, be happy you lucky bastards.

tom_z · « **Reply #25 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:36:41 PM »

Well said James!

Peace
Tom

811952 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:59:53 PM »

Sex is FREE?! :0

olieoliver · « **Reply #27 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:05:31 PM »

It ain't even free when your married John. LOL

lbpesq · « **Reply #28 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:46:44 PM »

Heck, when you're married it's more expensive! As a wise man once told me, unless you're born into wealth, there are only two ways to get rich. You can either work for it, or marry it. And if you marry it, boy, are you going to work for it! LOL

Bill, tgo

88persuader · « **Reply #29 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:57:52 PM »

Well here's my 2 cents. I LOVE Alembic basses. THAT BEING SAID I sold 2 of my 3 Alembics because being a mid income American I couldn't justify owning three basses that together were worth over $9000 street price. Plus I was afraid to damage them on gigs. I'm a working musician playing bars and functions the truth is I almost never use my Alembic out anymore because I think it's too expensive to RISK having some drunk knock it off the stand or stealing it during breaks. If my SC got damaged or stolen I'd die and wouldn't be able to justify the money needed to replace it so I now only use it at home 90% of the time! I guess my point is Alembics are the best IMO but also IMO (And I'm sorry Alembic) they already cost too much. Increasing the price even a little just puts the instrument out of reach for more players and the higher the price goes up the less value you get for your hard earned dollar. Example ... A $2000 new SC Standard would be a steal, a $6000 new SC Standard is FAR less of a value.