I don't see what the problem is.
These guitars are clearly not being sold as new. I would imagine that the also don't enjoy a lifetime warranty. Is it because Taylor is selling these to dealers (has that been confirmed?) because, if so, that's really, really way to minor to get upset about.
There's nothing here that "cheapens the brand".
If what is stated here is true, I would have to disagree. Directly from the 'dealer's' site.
'This is a refurbished guitar.
These guitars are sent directly from the manufacturer to the authorized refurbishing center where they are fully inspected and cleared by a certified refurbisher. These guitars are in like new mint condition. Some may have a few strum marks or box scuffs that would easily buff out, but most guitars are 100% flaw free. Any visible or known flaws are outlined in the description and include up close pictures of the specific flaw. All of our guitars come with a standard factory setup, but may require a small amount of fine tuning to fit the players personal taste. In order to prevent false warranty claims, the back of the headstock is lightly stamped "used" or "2nd" and the original serial number has been replaced with a new one by the authorized refurbisher. These guitars are the next best thing to buying new!'
Really ? If the guitars are truly in 'like new mint condition', then why would there be a need to sell them as a 'Second' without any warranty ? If Taylor is sending these guitars out because they do not meet their standards and is not willing to stand behind them by allowing a 'refurbishing company' (what kind of crap is that?) to stamped 'USED' on them and put another Serial # on it, I'd say the overall effect is 'cheapening' the brand. If Taylor is not aware of this and allowing it to happen, then the reseller is not being truthful about the process of how the guitars are obtained and what it done before they are shipped out. Sure, other builders have done it, but for the most part it has been on guitars that are made overseas by the tanker container full that end up selling for a fraction of these.
Nowhere does it state the dealer is authorized to sell the lines of products they have, nor do that they state they are 'refurbished center reseller' upfront.
http://www.rayhillaudio.com/products/taylorhttp://www.rayhillaudio.com/aboutus/If this is what Taylor considers change to their internet dealer 'strategy', I'd say there's a weakness somewhere else. If these are 'overstock' units that could not be sold at Friends and Family or through dealers, I would think a Chain store would be able to take care of selling them, provided they were truly in 'like new mint condition'.
I found a video for the 114CE Sunburst and it looks like it was an export model.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2dRioVC_kUI checked the price tag and converted the amount to USD, which is MAP for what a new 314 goes for.
Perhaps the distributor was not satisfied with the build quality of the guitars for one reason or another and they were 're-imported' back into the US? If that is the case, I don't think that a rather insignificant discount (less than a tenth) would make up for a 'USED' stamp and reserialized label. I would put it on par with a vehicle that has a 'salvage rebuild' title on it, as opposed a 'certified pre owned' that the manufacturer is still willing to stand behind and have extended the warranty as proof.
The customer that ends up buying a guitar like this ends up getting the short end of the stick (a 'marked' guitar with no warranty). A well maintained previous owned guitar could be had for significantly less $ and very likely locally. A discount as small as this could easily be negotiated at a local shop and the guitar would be new with a warranty, unless the shop is in danger of losing their dealer status by selling a guitar below MAP.
