Can someone explain this stewmac pricing model to me?

[blakejcan]

I'm interested in the Fret Kisser. Like all Stewmac tools, it looks like it's great quality but also kinda overpriced. On their site it is $99 as listed here:

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...ls-for-fretting/leveling/stewmac-fret-kisser/

I got suckered into being a Stewmax member so at least the shipping would be free.

I just looked at the Stewmac ebay store. The same tool is $56 as listed here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2561686047...rGmW58foLjdamurtuSBaYp60W8Q3ZW-YaAgCKEALw_wcB


How? why? WTF?

 

[idsnowdog]

I bought a similar fret rocker off Wish for $3.50. Stewmac's pricing is whatever they feel the market will bear with volume discounts for things you don't need more than one of.

https://www.wish.com/product/66d74e57c9c853dc8b2a0cb4

 

[Securb]

When you are on StewMac's website you are only seeing their prices and products there is no competition. When they list on eBay they need to be competitive because of the availability of alternative products.

 

[jeremy]

they make good stuff but their pricing is a bit steep, and shipping is usually aggressive

 

[blakejcan]

most businesses have ebay, amazon and whatever other stores where the prices are actually more expensive and thus incentivizing you to go their actual website. Undercutting your own price by a ton on ebay is so bizarre since they have to pay the fees on top of that?

 

[Chistopher]

$56 is too much for a small metal shape

 

[ICTGoober]

Which is why many pro luthiers use Philadelphia Luthier Supply or other online source for tools, supplies, and parts. I can't tell you the last time I purchased something off the StewMac website. I look at it, but go elsewhere to purchase.

 

[ehdwuld]

a fret rocker with a slice of sandpaper is the same thing aint it?

things you already have on hand

 

[Securb]

they make good stuff but their pricing is a bit steep, and shipping is usually aggressive

It is funny when I need 12 screws and they want to charge me $6 to ship a $2 purchase. Whenever I do a build I try to map out everything I am going to need from Stew Mac beforehand to ship once.

 

[Securb]

most businesses have ebay, amazon and whatever other stores where the prices are actually more expensive and thus incentivizing you to go their actual website. Undercutting your own price by a ton on ebay is so bizarre since they have to pay the fees on top of that?

I have found MF stuff on their eBay store cheaper and sometimes marked incorrectly. That is how I got my Gibson Goldtop Standard for $400

 

[blakejcan]

wait, I need to hear that story

 

[Securb]

wait, I need to hear that story

I was sending you the link to the thread and I saw you commented on it. You must have forgotten

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-guitar-shop/334773-ngd-the-gold-standard

 

[blakejcan]

duuuuuude. Thank you. Now I remember. That's still amazing.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Just know that the "Fret Rocker" is different from the "Fret Kisser".

You can't just put sandpaper on a fret rocker and expect it to be a fret kisser because that spot would be too thick and you'd sand down the high fret too low (the thickness of the sand paper). And then you'd create high fret of the adjacent frets. The fret kisser has an area in the center of each edge which has been lowered then filled with diamond grit to be exactly the same final level as the rest of the edge. Then the high fret can be sanded down to exactly the same height as the adjacent frets.

 

[Masta' C]

Yeah, the fret "kisser" is pretty unique. I bought one myself.

You can't just put sandpaper on a standard rocker...you'll end up with a low fret for certain.

 

[Masta' C]

As for StewMac's pricing model? Annoying.

Prices changing all the time (drastically, like 50% off) and different prices on Reverb, eBay, and even Amazon.

Just terrible.