I would like to mention that there were actually two things fined: 1) Vertical price-fixing agreements between the manufacturers and the dealers and 2) horizontal price-fixing agreements between the biggest German/European dealer and a significant competitor. I can understand that 1) can be debated, especially on the background of smaller dealers, but I don‘t think 2) can…

Friends in government have a saying "If you think the problem is bad, wait until you see our solution".

You mean Government rules and regulations have unforeseen side effects that end up hurting the people they’re supposedly trying to help? Why I’ve never heard of such a thing. Surely our wise and benevolent bureaucrats know everything and can make detailed decisions for all economics sectors.

Me: How far is it to Southern Pines?

Nothing sucked worse back in the day than to buy an expensive product like guitars or autos and find out I could have saved a fortune right around the corner. The interwebs seem to have helped in that regard.

I think what needs to be said is that the EU advocates heavily for price transparency towards the consumer. If you want to advertise an item, you have to show the actual sales price. A great percentage of online shoppers click through to the payment section without negotiating for a better price. And since all countries have VAT in place, the price has to include VAT. By law.

Hank Marvin and the Shadows. The red strat in England

you have to understand that we have no MAP here in Germany. Now following happens. We have 2 big players here in germany - the so called musicstore professional and Thomann as you might now.

EU lawyer here. You're missing the point by a lot! Simply put - in the EU, you are not allowed to anyhow limit and/or control pricing down the distribution chain. Premise is, if otherwise, the big companies can control the market via the orice control, thus gaining too much power. Which would not really help the consumer in a long run in any way. The other extreme you described is called "predatory pricing" and it's outlawed as well. Do you feel this is too much state control and US is elswhere? Study on US 30s railway worker struggle and FDR regulations thatbsolved that for you 😉

Baxter equating government agencies focused on consumer protection with state-owned guitar outlets is hands down the most unreasonable thing I've heard on this channel. Consumer protection is unfamiliar in the US, but that doesn't make it communist. Think about a truss rod adjustment hidden in the neck pocket requiring removal of the neck and then think whether there might be better ways of doing things other than US traditional models. Love you guys, love the show, but this was nuts.

Baxter, it is totally your movie ramblings that bring me back to each video

I think the European model is more 'American' feeling, in the traditional sense. Basically, it looks out for the small businesses and the consumer. You'll note it's not 'mom and pop' stores that are getting hit by this, it's the massive ones. The small shops do really well under our system.

We're so used to the abuses of monopolies in America, we're shocked when any government pushes back. Anyway, Leo Fender is long dead. It's silly that Fender (the company) is allowed to have a stranglehold on any of his inventions or designs. Same goes for Gibson, tbh. These companies don't need to exist to keep the traditional builds alive.

Hank Marvin got the first Fender Strat in Britain, Cliff Richards bought it for him. It was a 1959 Fender Stratocaster Fiesta Red with Gold Fixtures

And as true blue American, my problem with MAP pricing is cultural.

Great video guys. Never heard of MAP until now. Quite familiar with MSRP

News flash! Anderton's is in the UK. The UK is no longer a part of the European Union, so this lawsuit shouldn't affect them. I have no idea if the UK has similar laws.

Love the almost daily vids guys

It's sad that Fender in the top has to rig prices‼️

I haven’t thought about it in a while but I remember going in a music store and looking at the MSRP and doing the half plus 10% in my head. I’ve bought a few guitars that way.