Collings mandolins

**man doh** · Nov-15-2006, 6:45pm

Are these are discounted anymore than the 10% off of list??

E.G MT@ $3500 list our price $3150

I know with most companies there is more of a "deal" people are getting?

**G_Smolt** · Nov-15-2006, 7:07pm

From the shop owners that I pestered while getting my Collings (and there were a LOT of them)...They all indicated that selling a Collings product for less than 90% of what Ol' Bill said they should go for was punishable by Immediate Loss of Dealership, Never to be Regained.

Needless to say, I don't think you will find anyone willing to test this theory.

Mark

**bradeinhorn** · Nov-15-2006, 8:11pm

i think you are quoting the mt 2 price. if it makes a difference, it should be closer to 2000 or slightly less.

**man doh** · Nov-15-2006, 8:20pm

opps I used the <shift> on the 2. I meant MT2, not MT@.

Mark, Thank you for the info I never knew it was that strict for Collings dealers.

**JimW** · Nov-15-2006, 9:35pm

Well, while Bill Collings can legally set a MOP (Minumum Advertised Price), he can not legally tell his dealers what they "must" sell their instruments for nor can he legally punish a dealer for selling an item below his MOP. No manufacturer, for that matter, can legally do that in the U.S. of A. Of course it's in the dealers best interest to sell at MOP, ie: higher profits, but they can sell a product for a sum of money that is mutually agreeable between the seller and purchaser.

Jim

**Miles Town Mando** · Nov-17-2006, 11:44am

Another thought...While I was seriously looking for a Collings and being amazed at how they stood up to much more expensive mandolins, one dealer told of how he tried to talk Bill into selling his MTs for much more than the current listing, but apparently Bill was not willing to up the price, even if his were as good as some of the more expensive ones.

**Rick Schmidlin** · Nov-17-2006, 12:02pm

In the Guitar market Collings seems to be a right price to compete with Martin and smaller builders.I think he knows his price points. If you look at Greg Boyds sight and see Collings in mandolin and guitars sections,there price does not jump out that much and seem to fit with others.

**AeroJoe** · Nov-19-2006, 4:02pm

All I can tell you is Bill Collings is one fine person to deal with...and makes one FINE mandolin (some say he makes several of them...) And if you are test driving ANY of them, ok, go ahead and admire the flawless finish work and choice of wood (some of the maple he uses has enough flame to light your grill) but anyway, play them with your eyes closed...go with a friend and to a friendly dealer and have them pass you whatever Collings they have in the store. Most are so close, it's so hard (but fun) to make a choice...kudos to Bill for consistancy. But I did this and chose an MF (matte finish) over everything else they had in the store, including the higher priced MF-5, MF-5 Varnish, and couple of blonde ones. The thing is absolutley unreal.

Very Happy Player and Owner MF #697

Thanks Bill!

**Douglas McMullin** · Nov-19-2006, 8:51pm

Not trying to start an argument on this topic, but I saw the comments on MAP and I have always wondered how it really worked. I spent some time researching it as stated above the dealer can legally choose to ignore the MAP, but from what I am reading the manufacturer can in fact punish or deny the dealer for breaking the MAP policy it sets. I saw a number of examples for different products where the manufacturer severed business relations with dealers for breaking its MAP policy. Here is text from one legal source:

Originally Posted by

While manufacturers can, by law, set M.A.P. prices, its dealers are under no obligation to abide by these prices in its advertising or when the product is sold. In order to lever dealers to publish only the M.A.P. price or higher in advertising, manufacturers can wield a big stick, by witholding valuable bonuses or discounts to dealers who do not comply and by denying access to products in the case of violations of its policy. These policies have several common requirements and limitations:

a) The Minimum Advertised Price is determined by the manufacturer or US distributor.

b) Serious consequences result to the dealer for non-compliance.

c) Dealers can not suggest that prices lower than M.A.P. are available in an actual sales transaction where M.A.P. prices are shown.

d) Dealers are, by law, able to establish any actual retail selling price they choose, as long as prices lower than M.A.P. are not advertised in any media including the internet.

e) As long as price discussions between buyers and the dealer are private, M.A.P. policies do not apply.

Manufacturers can also impose a resale selling price policy, limiting the minimum price at which products are sold. This is different from a M.A.P. policy and a more effective and more extreme step. It is much more difficult to enforce. Consequently, no manufacturer or distributor of saxophones has such a policy in effect at this time.

**Bob Simmers** · Nov-20-2006, 8:34am

"legal source?" I don't see the relevence unless Collings is selling instruments to one dealer at different price than another. Example: selling 50 mandolins to a large distributor for $1800 a piece, and selling 5 of the same mandolin to a smaller dealer for $2100 a piece. They can certainly do that. Many industries do. Then, of course, the larger dealer would sell them for less and make the same amount of profit. 'That' would be something the manufacturer 'could' control to keep his smaller dealers happy. But if all dealers are getting them for the same price...........if one wants to make less profit than another, so be it. And Collings could discontinue a relationship with a dealer if they choose to. They could do that for any number of reasons.
Back to the topic: I don't own a Collings, but hope to. I've played and heard them. They are superior instruments, and worth the asking price. And it's basic economics. If they're selling them, they don't have to dicker price.

**Tim** · Nov-20-2006, 8:55am

The MAP has some benefit to both the manufacturer and the dealer. #A consistent selling price helps with the perception of the value (of course many other things factor in). #For the dealer, the MAP helps insulate them from a bidding war with other deals and it gives them a worst-case position in negotiating (and they get to shift the blame).

**jmcgann** · Nov-22-2006, 3:49pm

This isn't just a mandolin issue, it happens with lots of instruments (and other products I'm sure).

It DOES seem to encourage haggling- if the dealer can't lower the price in advertising, they might in private if you beg and plead.

To keep a level playing field with prices is good. Some dealers will then offer value on top of that- free setup, strings, etc. for competitive edge.

Or they might say what George Gruhn is famous for (read in cranky voice):

The Price Is The Price!

PS- speaking of Collings, I think they are making some fine mandos.

**Jedclampit** · Nov-30-2006, 10:42pm

Just got my first Collings--an MF with a gloss top. It's the best mandolin I've had...I used to work in production at Rigel.
When you're selling everthing you can make as a builder and when instruments don't sit around very long in the dealerships, something's happening that's good and healthy from a business standpoint.
The upside of this for the consumer is that the instrument holds its value better and is worth more as a trade-in or a used instrument. Something I considered when I bought mine, however the unbeatable sound and playability for the $ is what sold me. My mando playing buddy just about wet his pants when he tried it today.:

:

**G_Smolt** · Nov-30-2006, 10:55pm

Collings products don't really "sit around" dealerships.

They (Collings) have a "no warehousing" policy...if it ain't ordered, it ain't built.

That's not to say a dealer wouldn't order on spec, but generally speaking, the demand is such that they literally don't "sit around".

Glad you like yer MF...the Club welcomes you

**Tripp Johnson** · Dec-01-2006, 5:35am

I happily own MF5V Deluxe #408 and MT #330. They're played everyday, well the MF5 is played everyday. ..the MT most days. I can't say enough good things about them. The MF5 just gets better and better and better...

Enjoy your new mandolin!

**Jedclampit** · Dec-01-2006, 7:35am

I now work at a Collings dealership here in San Diego..No instrument from Collings stays around here long..We do order on spec for stock..We can't get enough of their product in mandolins or guitars.
For me, I've tried many other brands and makers, no other production mandolin comes close for the money in any style or price point.