View Full Version : How Much Did You Pay For That
GTison
Jul-02-2004, 7:17am
Does anyone ever tire of that question? I picked the other day and a mando player came up and that was the first thing out of his mouth. How much did you pay for that? Well howdy, how are you, howmuchdidyepayferthatthinganyway. I hope I was nice. I SWANNIE, (swear) sometimes I could just carve the name right out of the headstock and scrape the finish..... hmmm http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
Makes the tape thing rather sensible, don't cha think?
Jonathan Reinhardt
Jul-02-2004, 5:10pm
Some people have no manners.
If you have it in you, it's enlightenment time. Otherwise (and there ARE those days) brush 'em off.
I was at a festival with Dave Nichols the other day and went backstage just to say "hi, great set, may I see that tailpiece up close" -- and he handed me the instrument, invited me to the picking tent, etc. We had a good visit. He is a most gracious individual.
Manners help keep the world a sane and meaningful place.
When you do have one of those days ----"If you will overlook my rudeness in not answering , I will overlook your rudeness in asking"
Ted Eschliman
Jul-02-2004, 7:41pm
"How much did you pay?" is 2nd to the question I find even more offensive:
"Just how many mandolins do you HAVE?"
They might as well ask this fat boy "Just how much DO you weigh?"
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Steven Stone
Jul-02-2004, 9:21pm
["How much did you pay?"]
My response to that is "I have no idea it's on loan from the owner......"
That will get the questioner's goat. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
[the question I find even more offensive:
"Just how many mandolins do you HAVE?]
My response to this is "Golly I just don't know, its so hard to keep count......"
Remember to smile broadly while delivering these lines for maximum effect. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
mandoanon
Jul-03-2004, 1:42am
When someone asks "How much did you pay?" I answer "It's not for Sale". That usually confuses them enuff that they quit bugging me.
I always say that "It was free, but sometimes I miss having 2 kidneys and the recovery was a b*tch." I say this with a very serious face and shake my head like they would understand and sympathize.
steve in tampa
Jul-04-2004, 5:39am
I can respond more kindly to "what did you give for that" than "what did you pay". Seems to depend on whos asking and how they do it. Don't want to discourage anyone's interest towards "real" music.
jim_n_virginia
Jul-04-2004, 6:12am
I like the humor approach best http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Q: How much did it cost?
A: TOO MUCH!
Unseen122
Jul-04-2004, 6:56am
It doesn't bother me I then just brag about how I could afford it that shuts 'em up. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
PhilGE
Jul-04-2004, 7:17am
Them: "How much did you pay?"
Me: "Just enough!" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
If they insist, I genuinely ask, "Are you in the market for an instrument?" That kind of opens the door for more conversation about instruments and playing in general and shifts the focus to the other person's interests as well. I really try to refrain from unleashing the claws - not too productive in building relationships!
jaybee
Jul-05-2004, 3:39pm
When that questioner says to me, "Wow, it must be nice to be able to afford that nice instrument and case." I just say, "Yeah, it is."
onlyagibsonisgoodenuff
Jul-05-2004, 5:12pm
When that questioner says to me, "Wow, it must be nice to be able to afford that nice instrument and case." #I just say, "Yeah, it is."
I just say, "I have two more at home that are even better!"
Not really, but I'd like to.
Dan Adams
Jul-05-2004, 5:20pm
My response: "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." Simple and stops the questions.
Which mandolin were you asking about? Dan
Clyde Clevenger
Jul-05-2004, 5:48pm
I always tell them the list price, adjusted for inflation and add a couple grand for all my work breaking it in.
I told a lady $11,500 this weekend, it could go up next week. I know that's a little mean, but she was going on and on and on and on and on about her friend finding a really good mandolin at a garage sale for $25.
midmando
Jul-05-2004, 6:33pm
you could always hang a Minnie Pearl price tag off the tailpiece...
jim simpson
Jul-05-2004, 7:03pm
Brad,
That has to be the best suggestion so far! I think of what I paid for mine and it gets complicated. Let's see, there was the mandolin I traded in plus the other instruments that I bought and fixed up and sold to put towards my instrument fund. Oh and the gig money that went into the fund. I don't think most folks would want to hear my loooong stories of how I put the money together to buy it but I sure realize it took a lot of time, patience and effort to get it.
evanreilly
Jul-06-2004, 6:09am
Yeah, the Minnie Pearl look!!
ronlane3
Jul-07-2004, 10:48am
I traded it for my wife, man I miss her sometimes. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
straight-a
Jul-07-2004, 1:24pm
I paid 100% of the price we agreed on.
Scotti Adams
Jul-07-2004, 1:59pm
..I remember seeing some pics of Monroe...back in the 50's I believe when they were taken...with what appeared to be a price tag stuck to the front of the peg head...Evan...do recollect also?
evanreilly
Jul-07-2004, 9:54pm
Monroe did have a small price sticker on the flowerpot for while; it is pictured on the cover of the Decca albums High Lonesome Sound and Blue Grass Instrumentals. #I beleive it was a Woolworth's sticker for $.99; Monroe got tired of people asking him about the value of his mandolin.