Elderly Instruments snubs Guild

[dreadnut]

I just got the new Elderly Instruments catalog, not a single Guild or even a GAD in the catalog. Acoustics: 8 pages of Martins of course, a bunch of Taylors, Wechters, Fenders, Yamahas, Recording Kings, Blueridges; but no Guilds. You'd think if they had a problem it would be with Fender, but they carry all kinds of Fender acoustics and electrics.

Interestingly, no Gibsons any more either, acoustic or electric.

 

[killdeer43]

They're on the web site.

http://elderly.com/search/elderly?s...only=&only_catalog=&lessthan=&only_brandname=

:?
Joe

 

[Ian]

Hi Joe,

you beat me to it :lol: 16 new Guilds inc GADS listed there, together with 3 second hand ones. There web site is excellent BTW, and they are great folks to deal with. Probably the best photo's and descriptions there are ?

Cheers, Ian

 

[RussB]

In my best "Katharine Hepburn as Ethel" accent,


...what we have here is a failure to communicate! :lol:

 

[killdeer43]

In my best "Katharine Hepburn as Ethel" accent,


...what we have here is a failure to communicate! :lol:

How about Strother Martin?

http://jamesriverfilm.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/last-months-birthday-strother-martin/

One of my favorites. :wink:

Joe

 

[adorshki]

I just giot the new Elderly Instruments catalog, not a single Guild or even a GAD in the catalog. Acoustics: 8 pages of Martins of course, a bunch of Taylors, Wechters, Fenders, Yamahas, Recording Kings, Blueridges; but no Guilds. You'd think if they had a problem it would be with Fender, but they carry all kinds of Fender acoustics and electrics.
Interestingly, no Gibsons any more either, acoustic or electric.

Are they "Authorized" for Guild? (hmmm....I just tried to chek the Guild website's "Where to Buy" button, and no workie!! :shock
Or maybe they were made aware that changes were in the offing (like the GAD's), but didn't have any manufacturer's collateral at press time. Those things can be on a 60 day or more advance schedule.
That might explain the absence of Gibson too, there may have been legitimate uncertainty about product availablility at "press time".

 

[dreadnut]

Could be the "time to press" thing I guess. Never looked at the website :roll:

Elderly is only about 50 miles from here so I go over there every so often. Last new Guild I saw in their showroom was a Tacoma. I wonder if they have any NH Guilds there yet or if they're just on the website? We're gonna have to go over there soon...

 

[kitniyatran]

They always have several new Guilds & GADs on the website, so I think they're authorized. The catalog has usually had a little box with one or two, if I remember correctly(not going to take time out to dig any out to check right now). I haven't seen the latest, yet.

 

[idealassets]

The next time I go to Elderly I'll take a picture of their guitar rooms. You will see dozens of Martin's for sale, among everyting else for slae. They have plenty of guitars there, including Guild, but truck loads of Martin guitars.

They could probably print a catalog to give you the impression of just about anything they wanted to, and never really give it a second thought.

Craig

 

[dreadnut]

Craig: have you ever seen a New Hampshire Guild there?

They have some nice vintage Guilds from time to time on consignment or trade, including a lefty D-100 that I couldn't talk my partner into buying, and an Artist Award. But I haven't seen any NH Guilds there yet.

 

[dklsplace]

Don't know if he still hangs out here much, but the owner is an LTG member. He digs Guilds.

 

[Scratch]

I purchased my GF-25 from Elderly last year. Not a new guitar, obviously, but they were very easy to work with and spent quite a bit of time on the phone with me as I asked several questions regarding the guitar's condition. Shipping was prompt; no hassles.

 

[killdeer43]

I've dealt with Elderly in the past and I have nothing but good things to say. I've even had occasion to throw a few misc. questions their way and they always answered promptly.
I've felt all along that they were downright friendly and easy to work with, and I still stop by for an e-visit on a regualr basis.

Add to that, I'm more elderly than I've ever been! :wink:

Joe

 

[idealassets]

Craig: have you ever seen a New Hampshire Guild there?

Yes, they currently have at least this one from NH in stock:
http://elderly.com/fmic/items/F512-NAT.htm
It must be very new, since they have the new, increased store price on it, as compared to a few others hanging at other stores for around $300 less. If I had not bought my 2010 F512 a year ago, this would not be a bad starting price to drive and play it "locally" before buying.

But lets face the fact, we in Michigan are right in the heart of Martin/ Taylor/ Gibson/ Harley/ Corvette country. So, thats all the more Guild's available for you and I.

Craig

 

[Brad Little]

Yes, they currently have at least this one from NH in stock:
http://elderly.com/fmic/items/F512-NAT.htm

And right there on the bottom of that page, the answer to the question about authorized:
>This item is only offered for sale and may only ship within the United States of America. Elderly Instruments is an authorized dealer for GUILD.<
Brad

 

[capnjuan]

The Elderly flyers and catalogs rely on the manufacturers participating in the printing and mailing costs. I think stuff gets in because Martin, Taylor, and the rest of the pay to have their stuff included. As far back as 2007, the Elderly Christmas flyer only had a 1/2-page ad for Guilds ... the others had lots of pages.

 

[adorshki]

The Elderly flyers and catalogs rely on the manufacturers participating in the printing and mailing costs.

Ahh yes...the other type of collateral....

And right there on the bottom of that page, the answer to the question about authorized:
>This item is only offered for sale and may only ship within the United States of America. Elderly Instruments is an authorized dealer for GUILD.<
Brad

I would trust 'em not to misrepresent that status, but we have seen that website updates may lag sometimes. What really caught my attention was when the "where to buy" button didn't work on Guild's site.
In fact, still no workee today. Just checked again.
Makes me wonder if changes are in the works, is all.

 

[fronobulax]

The Elderly flyers and catalogs rely on the manufacturers participating in the printing and mailing costs.

Ahh yes...the other type of collateral....

And right there on the bottom of that page, the answer to the question about authorized:
>This item is only offered for sale and may only ship within the United States of America. Elderly Instruments is an authorized dealer for GUILD.<
Brad

I would trust 'em not to misrepresent that status, but we have seen that website updates may lag sometimes. What really caught my attention was when the "where to buy" button didn't work on Guild's site.
In fact, still no workee today. Just checked again.
Makes me wonder if changes are in the works, is all.

Not sure what the problem is. If Elderly claims to be an authorized dealer and it turns out they are not, then we just call the lawyers and have a very solid case against them. I think the real problem here is that Guild is not doing an especially good job of keeping http://www.guildguitars.com up to date and functional. Who knows? Maybe Fender's lawyers have determined that as far as warranty and legal issues, all authorized Fender dealers are authorized for all Fender brands, whether they are normally stocked or not? You will recall that the official warranty policy, at least as articulated verbally by Fender/Guild employees. is that you take your Guild to an authorized Fender repair facility as the first step.

 

[adorshki]

Not sure what the problem is.

Not really a problem, just posing questions whose answers could prevent just such an undesirable experience as having to sic lawyers on Elderly. I may have worded my trust in their integrity awkwardly. I don't think they'd intentionally misrepresent their "authorized" status.
The bigger question to me is why the dealer listing is non-functional, never seen that problem before. Still wondering if we're about see some "official" changes in the list. The "service center" button is functional and updated with the new procedure, interestingly.

 

[Bill Ashton]

The "Where To Buy" button just worked for me, frankly better than ever!

Someone is paying attention, :lol: