Ordering a guitar from an online dealer

[Rebel]

Hi.
I am considering ordering an L03R from an online store. I would appreciate any advice on what to look for or expect.
Thanks!!

[ElJefe]

Jim at Trinity guitars and Jason with Notable guitars are favorite dealers here on the forum.

[tuffythepug]

Rebel
Besides Trinity Guitars and Notable Guitars there is also Dave at Guitar Adoptions ( www.Guitaradoptions.com ).
I got my OM-03R from Dave and it was no-hassle quick service.   All three of these on-line guitar dealers are top notch and you can't go wrong with any of them.   Check out and see which one has the best deal on an
L-03R and go for it.   You can expect good prices and fast, friendly service from these guys.
You won't be sorry

tuffythepug

[ElJefe]

And remember our forum guarantee:

If for any reason you are not satisified with your new guitar, send it to me or Tuffy and we will keep it.

[Walkerman]

Also consider where you live and where the dealer is...
ie...if you live in California, and the dealer is in California, you will have to pay sales tax.  If you live in California, and the dealer is out of state, you won't.

I would e-mail or call a few of the internet dealers, establish a rapport and THEN consider the price.  Chances are this won't be your last internet purchase.
Also, on the off chance that anything is wrong with the git, you'll want to be dealing with someone you're comfortable with.

Lastly, no two guitars are identical.  You'll want to look at the pictures closely.  Some will just strike you as more attractive than others ( do it BEFORE you drink beer, not after).

[C-10-4-me]

Call Jason at Notable. He'll answer all your questions and walk you through the process so that you will know exactly what you'll be getting when it arrives.

Ron

[Novalis]

I was VERY nervous and apprehensive about buying online. . . until my guitar arrived safe and sound from halfway accross the country. None and I do mean NONE of the shops near me had the Larrivee I wanted, so buying online was my only option.

My worries were eased after talking with Gayl at Betterbilt Fretted Products, who has an online shop as well as a brick and mortar store in California. I would not hesitate to recommend Gayl's shop, he answered all my questions (and I had LOTS and LOTS of questions) without sounding annoyed or rushed for time. My guitar arrived in perfect shape. Great prices and fantastic serivice, above and beyond any music shop I've ever done business with, a real pleasure.

[cutaway]

    Try Dave at the Twelfth Fret.  Not many folks know more about Larrivee than he does as he used to work with Jean for years.  They ship all over the world too.  You can Google their website

[Dale_I]

   Just purchased from Dave at www.GuitarAdoptions.com and the process was painless. I really couldn't have been more pleased with his knowledge and especially the time he took to make sure I got what I wanted. Two thumbs up 

[gsammy52]

I just bought a Larrivee L-03 MT from Jim at Trinity Guitar.   ABSOLUTELY great guy to work with, fair prices, and everything just as promised.  The guitar arrived with a bone saddle installed and professionally set up.  Wish I lived closer to him, I'd have all my guitars in for a setup.  Everything was included and it was obvious that the instrument had not hung on the wall and suffered being played by 500 people before I got it.  A dealer who goes the extra mile and gives quality service is hard to find......   Hope that helps
Gary

[jeremy3220]

Hi.
I am considering ordering an L03R from an online store. I would appreciate any advice on what to look for or expect.
Thanks!!

Have you played an L-03R? I have no problem with ordering online, but not having an idea of what the guitar will sound like is a big gamble. Maybe you'd like the mahogany L better or a different size; Maybe if you got to play all the Larrivee models the L-03R would be your least favorite. This may not apply to you but that's my advice; know what you're getting. I bought my OM/PW online (used) but I played 3 other OM/PWs first so I knew what to expect. The OM-03MT I bought a total whim  got lucky

I can vouch for Guitar Adoptions and an excellent experience.

[thistle]

You should also give Jon Garon at My Favorite Guitars a call - he has fantastic prices and unbelievable customer service. He also sets up the guitar as you like for no extra charge. He is very well known over on the Martin forum but he also is a Larrivee dealer, and a wonderful guy!

[omv5jm]

Try Jim at Trinity Guitars , I got my omv60 in excellent condition and he even gave me a free setup for the fingerstyle music I play . I too am a first time buyer through the internet and did some price checking and Jim beat them all . I guess there all good guys when it comes to service and selling , I just prefered buying from a guitar builder like Jim .....figured he knew more when it came to knowing  a good quality guitar  and he did .........

[Dotneck]

Also consider where you live and where the dealer is...
ie...if you live in California, and the dealer is in California, you will have to pay sales tax.  If you live in California, and the dealer is out of state, you won't.

Thats not really true...although the dealer won't charge you sales tax...in most states you are still liable for the tax...you are just supposed to pay it directly to your own state reenue department. I know most people don't pay the tax...but its not true that you are not required to pay it...

[Dale_I]

Thats not really true...although the dealer won't charge you sales tax...in most states you are still liable for the tax...you are just supposed to pay it directly to your own state reenue department. I know most people don't pay the tax...but its not true that you are not required to pay it...

That would depend on the state that you live in. All states have a minimum amount that, once you go over it, you will be require to declare the purchase and pay the sales tax based on the city/county that you live in. However, if you are below the minimum amount, you are not required to declare the purchase and there are no taxes to be paid. Some states use classification definitions. For instance, a car purchase would have to be declared but clothing might not have to be declared. You should check with your state Department of Revenue for your particular limitations.

For example, in WA state you will have a declaration sheet for the buyer and seller of a used vehicle that you will base your tax rate from what you compute what you owe. However, if the blue book value deviates from the amount that you and the seller/buyer declare on the form, the state can choose to charge you on the amount of the blue book value unless you can provide repair receipts to prove the vehicle was in substandard condition.

Whereas, if you purchase a carton of cigarettes out of state and bring them into WA, you have to add $20.25 to the purchase price, add in any shipping and handling charges you paid, and your tax amount is computed from the total you paid PLUS the $20.25.

Although, I will agree, most online purchases go unreported even if they breach the minimum amount required for declaration. In fact, this is done so infrequently that you can go to your state's web site and try to locate the form and I doubt it will be easy to find, even using the search functions.

[beachdog]

I've only ordered one guitar online, from Buffalo Bros. Instrument was securely packaged and exactly as described by a saleperson in a phone call

[BlastersFan55]

Got my D-10 from Dave at Guitar Adoptions, and thought his service was great. 

Now, if I could only get it back from the guy doing the set up! 

[Ronniedee]

Buy from a reputable authorized dealer and have them provide pics of the actual guitar you will be buying. No stock photos. Best of luck!

[gtrplayer]

I've ordered two Larrivees from Jason at Notable Guitars.  Jason is a nice guy with the best prices out there.  You won't be sorry if you go with him.  And the two Larrivees were fine guitars!

gtrplayer

[dp36]

Got mine from Jim at Trinity...Total winner (both Jim and the Larrivee!)