Ric Price Increase

[wj350]

At the risk of moving OT a tad, I just wanted to say I'm more concerned about the recent (recent to me anyway) appearance of "bulk" sellers of Rics on Ebay than anything dealing with Ric's price increase. As I think I've indicated elsewhere around here (and other venues), Ric's in the best place to determine their suggested prices. I don't get the hysteria voiced, and I particularly don't understand the claims of a "40%" increase...at least on the models I looked at, it seemed more like in the neighborhood of ~22-26%.

But back to my concern, I see Olivia already discussed, but check this seller out:

Lots of Rics

A number of these guitars are ID'd as brand new, and the prices represent pretty substantial markups from what I think most Ric-auth retailers will offer. This can't be good for anyone waiting for a Ric at a realistic price. To be fair, the seller does offer worldwide shipping, so maybe that's the intended market. Still doesn't taste right to me though. YMMV.

Bill

[jingle_jangle]

That seller is not an authorized dealer, and although his guitars are stated to be "new", they are not covered by RIC warranty, so buyer beware.

[wj350]

That seller is not an authorized dealer, and although his guitars are stated to be "new", they are not covered by RIC warranty, so buyer beware.

Right, I should have added I realized that...and consequently I think he is bordering on being deliberately misleading by describing some of the guitars as "new"--note even the Ebay Condition category states "new".

Bill

[jingle_jangle]

I've tried to contact Ebay about this guy...they have absolutely nothing in their rules that I can find that captures the disctinction between "new with warranty" and "new-no warranty".

Now, eventually somebody's unknowingly going to buy one of these, find that it needs repair, contact RIC, find out there's not warranty and start bashing RIC.

This guy is an opportunist, plain and simple. If there was a way to shut down his auctions (for not mentioning the warranty issue, unless you write him and specifically ask about it), I'm sure that RIC would have already shut him down.

[rickenbrother]

It's been a while now that the seller "Pithespy" has been selling Ricks at inflated prices. I guess they catch a sucker now an then. Someone who doesn't even realize they are not going to get a valid warranty and paying all the money!!
I also think the intended buy is someone outside the USA. I read on the RIC corporate forum where JH stated that this seller's supply is going to dry up soon.

[jingle_jangle]

He is, of course, closed-mouthed about where he's getting them, but I suspect I know who.