Buying Rickenbackers Over The Internet

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 4:02 am

I bought my 650D from Musician's Friend - they were a pleasure to deal with, especially after the first one they sent me was 'mislaid' by UPS. The primary reasons I went with them were price and availability; I had to buy mail-order because no-one anywhere near me had a 650 in stock.

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 7:34 am

I bought my Ric 650 from Pick of the Ricks and it came home no problem. I surely would recommend them anytime!

jaybyrd · Post by **jaybyrd** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 5:25 pm

PickoftheRicks.com is a great place to buy and trade Ricks. Chris Clayton, the owner, is a class act. I have been dealing with him for about 3 years. I am now waiting on my new 370/12VP Montezuma Brown to arrive through him. He really cares about the guitars and it shows in the quality of his product and how he does business.

My first Rick was purchased brand-new through a dealer about an hour from my home. It was in dire need of a setup, as John Williams will attest. None of the guitars I have bought from Chris have ever needed anything but playing. He checks everything out before he ships.

I personally met him at the Spartanburg Guitar Show last year and I know several other people who share my praise of him, including John, who recommended him to me in the first place. They don't come any better.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 12:26 pm

I hate to be a nay-sayer, but PickoftheRicks (PotR) interefered with an eBay auction I won a couple of years ago for an NOS 360 Tuxedo with certificate. Granted, I got two different stories about what happened (a case of 'he said, he said' between PotR and the seller) and the seller could have been a bit more diligent in the handling of his auction and communications (that's a story all its own), but the bottom line is that PotR, although not the legal winner of the auction, drove to the seller's location and bought the Tux (for a much-below-value price; that's why I was bidding on it!!!!) out from under me.

All PotR would have needed to do before doing this was (1) to outbid me before the end of the auction, or (2) to make the seller cancel the auction and my bid. Because he did neither one, I still feel that an injustice was done to me by him; it hurt all the more because he wasn't the least bit sorry for breaking eBay rules. Obviously, I personally will never never do business with PotR.

krick · Post by **krick** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 2:57 am

I was interested in that Tuxedo also and was surprised when the seller told me that someone was driving in to get it. I found out later that it was Chris Clayton that bought it, but I do not blame him! I was disappointed that the seller sold the guitar the way he did. In my opinion, the seller let us bidders down by selling it outside the auction.
I have dealt with Chris several times since and have found him to be a great guy!

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 2:49 pm

Jaybyrd, I want to see that Montezuma Brown 370 VP when it arrives!
I've bought at least 100 Rickenbackers since '97 over the 'Net. I usually phoned them too. I've only been disappointed in about 5 or 6 of the guitars. Thats a pretty good record. Talk to the seller!

jaybyrd · Post by **jaybyrd** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 3:50 pm

Hi, John. Chris tells me that he expects the MB's to start shipping around May 1. When it arrives I will give you a call and bring it around.

pickofthericks · Post by **pickofthericks** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 4:19 pm

In regards to the 360 Tuxedo, I can only say that the seller told me to come and pick up the guitar. It would have been entirely up to him to cancel the bids and/or end the auction. I certainly could not do so on his part. Gary I apologize if you feel I've done you wrong. I was unaware that the seller would not follow through with the appropriate Ebay cancellations.

sneakers · Post by **sneakers** » Thu May 22, 2003 5:59 am

I've purchased many guitars and other music gear over the internet. I have never had a bad experience. People complain about UPS and FedEx, but for the most part, they're considerate about the packages. I got this Fender Sting bass from a notable dealer and it was half out of the box when it arrived. The bass was not damaged and it was delivered by UPS. The person packing the thing messed up.

newrider · Post by **newrider** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 11:13 am

I bought a 330 several years ago from Mike Parks over there in Raleigh, which went flawlessly. This time Mike wanted a $200.00 premium for Burgundyglo, so I have a 360 on the way from Shawn at PM Blues. So far so good. Both he and Paul seem like really decent cats. So now I have a 4003 Bass on hold at Willcutt's my local dealer. They have a good web presence and sell a bunch of PRS online - 5th largest dealer. So they can handle their Ricks as well as anyone. Check out the website and Brandon or Eric can be helpful.