Nord User Forum

[willryu]

Hello all:

A bit of a selfish and low information post from a new forum member, but I have a question about negotiating a price for a Nord Grand in Canada. For the most part it looks like there is a minimum advertised price policy for Nord product in Canada. I was wondering what type of discounts people have had successfully negotiated on Nord keyboards like the Nord Grand, especially in the current market where it seems like the inventory for the NG might be a bit constrained.

TIA.

[FZiegler]

Nord has national distributors for almost each country. For local dealers, they are probably the only source for the instruments. So if you are asking different dealers for a price, there will probably be a natural lower limit - that's the price they have to pay themselves. There may be dealers who buy from abroad, but I'm not sure if this changes much.

When I bought my Stage 3, I asked for a package price and got approximately a pedal for free while ordering everything I needed around my Stage at the same time (even a dust cover). No idea if the discount came more from the Grand or the additional items - each has its own calculation for them.

[willryu]

Yes, I think I understand your point. Since there is likely only one distributor for Canada it doesn't make much sense to "shop around" for the best price. All the vendors likely have the same margins to work with. Thank you for the information.

I'm asking because it seems that if you are buying an expensive digital home piano (e.g. Kawai CA series) no one pays MSRP and it is expected to negotiate. I'm guessing the margins might be less for "professional" synths and pianos. My hope was that someone might be able to give an example of a NG purchase so I know if there is room for some negotiation (e.g. ask at least for 10% discount, etc).

[Rusty Mike]

In the US, vendors advertise the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP), which is lower than MSRP. Many of these vendors also have a few methods for advertising at lower prices, such as bundles, 'B' stock, etc. There is one US seller who advertises customer returns or B stock on eBay, and when you call to ask about it, they may alternatively offer a new product at or near the price of the B stock. I've purchased a few products that way. Our friend cphollis is also a huge advocate of calling around to get a price.

A recent example, the EV speakers I recently purchased, the vendor could not discount the speakers because of their arrangement with Electro Voice, but they threw in padded carry bags at very heavily discounted pricing. And all I did was ask.

To qualify, I'm talking about the MI dealers (Musical Instruments), such as Musicians' Friend, Sweetwater, Sam Ash, ProAudioStar and some of the smaller dealers. I can't be sure, but I think traditional piano shops may operate under a different convention, where MSRP is the target price.

Of course market forces are going to be at play. If there is an inventory shortfall and high demand across the country, then getting a discount is going to be tougher. If a retailer has too much stock and is trying to lighten their inventory, they may be willing to knock a few dollars off. And don't forget about the extra things you may need, such as stands, etc. Retailers may tell you they can't discount the product, but they can through in a carry bag or cables.

I only know of one major MI retailer in Canada, and don't understand the competitive landscape. But it can't hurt to call around.

[WannitBBBad]

I was ready to respond with something very similar to Rusty Mike's post. I've purchased 3 different Stage models over the years from the same retailer on eBay offered as "B" stock but still with a warranty. The exchange rate may play a factor on whether it makes sense to go the direction purchasing from a U.S. retailer with shipping (sometimes included), however the price in Canada you are seeing should at least be comparable with that in consideration. Good luck to you.

[cphollis]

Saving $300-$600 is worth a few phone calls to me

[Polychrest]

I bought a new floor demo Electro 3 HP from a Toronto-area Long and McQuade store during a Boxing Day sale years ago when it was Nord's latest Electro model. I paid about $200 less than the price for a new one in the box--a good deal at the time. I wound up hating the action, but that's another story. The only other Nord sale prices I've encountered have been the national distributor-authorized ones, like the sale on Stage models now. Nord vendors in Canada are an unbreakable monopoly club just like our national cell phone companies. Haggling doesn't work--you pay the identical inflated price at all of them.

[willryu]

I'm still shopping, but I thought I would give an update. Most stores I contacted quote the listed MAP price. However, Studio Economik (economik.com) quoted me MAP - 8.5%, which is a significant savings. What made me pause is that any warranty issues must go through Studio Economik and they are located in Montreal which is not local to me.

[LeftyBass68]

Loan and Persuade had no trouble price matching the competitor,in lieu of the new silkscreen and buttons on the revised Stage 3 they failed to inform us of.
I keep my discounts private.Customers with a half century of experience have a different set of salespeople usually.
When the third pitchstick lasted ten months,on the Compact,the distributor got a Service replacement through Nord for me,and saved the day!The call came from CA USA not Quebec!
Just opened it up and used Loctite blue on the fasteners that tend to work loose on the replacements.Compact platform not as sturdy as the 88 deck where the pitchstick has been trouble free.
Kudos to Nord for doing that right,now get the 1' drawbar cancel function on the Stage and I will forgive you for your blunders.10 years now.....come on you can do it!

[MarkJames]

In the US, vendors advertise the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP), which is lower than MSRP. Many of these vendors also have a few methods for advertising at lower prices, such as bundles, 'B' stock, etc. There is one US seller who advertises customer returns or B stock on eBay, and when you call to ask about it, they may alternatively offer a new product at or near the price of the B stock. I've purchased a few products that way. Our friend cphollis is also a huge advocate of calling around to get a price.

A recent example, the EV speakers I recently purchased, the vendor could not discount the speakers because of their arrangement with Electro Voice, but they threw in padded carry bags at very heavily discounted pricing. And all I did was ask.

To qualify, I'm talking about the MI dealers (Musical Instruments), such as Musicians' Friend, Sweetwater, Sam Ash, ProAudioStar and some of the smaller dealers. I can't be sure, but I think traditional piano shops may operate under a different convention, where MSRP is the target price.

Of course market forces are going to be at play. If there is an inventory shortfall and high demand across the country, then getting a discount is going to be tougher. If a retailer has too much stock and is trying to lighten their inventory, they may be willing to knock a few dollars off. And don't forget about the extra things you may need, such as stands, etc. Retailers may tell you they can't discount the product, but they can through in a carry bag or cables.

I only know of one major MI retailer in Canada, and don't understand the competitive landscape. But it can't hurt to call around.

I’ve purchased a couple of synths from ProAudioStar, including a NW2 for $2150 new. They are definitely of the “can’t discount B stock but how about new for $100 more” type.