New price list effective 12/13/2007

[epitreture]

Finally, for once in my life I was in the right place at the right time. Six weeks ago I bought a LEFT HANDED 650D from a shop in Florida for $1399 !! It looks like it just went up in value !

Ah, so you got it. I nearly bought that one myself but it would have been too expensive by the time I had shipped it to the UK and paid the import duties & taxes.

Sorry about that Peter. If it makes you feel any better, I occasionally like to look at pictures of your 4005 and drool !

[eggman]

Howdy,

My love for Rickenbacker won't be diminished with the huge recent price increase. BTW, the 360/6 I bought new just two years ago for $1150 out-the-door would now cost me $2250!!
I must admit that Rickenbackers are no longer such a great value. To be fair, I feel that I underpaid for my beautiful MG 360/6 back in the late Summer of '05. But for the price to double in a two year period? Let's just call it a case of Rickenbacker sticker shock. I wish all the best to what is still my favorite guitar manufacturer: Rickenbacker!

Eggman

[goofyfoot]

Although I did not suspect another price hike to come down the pike, I'm not surprised by the latest announcement. As we have all come to know and understand, Rickenbacker International Corporation (RIC) is a business and has consistently treated its dealers and customers fairly and with respect. From a strict business sense, the price point adjustment supports logic rather than confounding it. RIC is a family-owned corporation not owing to the vicissitudes of stockholders chasing the bottom line. As such, it simply comes down to C.D. ~ Coach's Decision, a decision based on rational discussions and logic among RIC staff members. I can appreciate it. Just my dos centavos' worth. Wishing everyone a righteous holiday season. Peace, out....Goofyfoot.

[squid]

David, that is the coolest avatar I've seen yet.

[goofyfoot]

David, that is the coolest avatar I've seen yet.

Squid....I have the barstool, a guitar, and heaven knows a few student candidates all in the classroom who could occupy a corner. Dare I do it? Naawwhhh, I worked too hard to get my teaching credential to wave bye-bye to it. The rapscallions sure trip out on the Rics whenever I bring one on campus. They dig the cases, too.....something about the plush interiors. They're also attracted to shiny objects so that explains their ooohs and aaahs when they see a Ric. I let 'em strum but only if it's strapped to me. Of course, they have to wash their hands five times before they get to do the honors. He-he. It's all copacetic, really. Have a MeRrY and a HaPpY. Best regards....G-foot.

[simer4001]

WOW! This got a little ugly. Glad to see it is back on track. My problem with the price increase is that I have no problem with the price increase. If their is something I want, I usually get it. RIC's and other guitar's are like milk and eggs to me. If I need them, I buy them. Does it get me in trouble with the Mrs.? Once in a while it does.

It's a business decision. I'm ok with that. The planning fees I charge have, in some cases, doubled in the last 18 months. Are their some who can't afford the rates? Yes. So did I lose some clients? Yes. Do I feel bad that I can't do it for less and help them? Yes. But that's the cost of doing business.

I said in an earlier post that for some it doesn't matter why the prices increase because they simply cannot afford the guitars regardless. My son was hoping he could scrape some money together for a 381V69. He was bummed about the price increase and started looking for something else. I told him just to keep saving his money. He can still come away with one.

[britye]

I'd Like to 2nd Peter's comments, Re: Mr Hall's post. I appreciate Mr. Hall jumping in to offer his point. No anguish here.. I'm still going to buy another new RIckenbacker guitar..

[wj350]

yeah, I've said this elsewhere, but bottom line is Ric is in the best position to decide what they can/should charge for their product. if the market doesn't agree, Ric will likely respond.

I don't personally see the "huge" aspect of this increase though--the models I looked at appear to have gone up maybe 22-25%, not huge in my opinion. Discontinued models are a different story, granted, but that's the nature of the beast, no? If we don't have "Discontinued", how can we get to Reissues? (If anyone from Ric is reading, a not-so-subtle hint for another 325/12 Reissue!)

Seriously, I think Ric is still a quality product at a decent price. Ultimately that's what each buyer needs to decide for themselves...I really don't get the vitriol you hear over this price increase issue. Buy it or don't--it's not like a tax increase for heaven's sake!

For me personally, the decision resulted in another sale...I decided to place an order at the current price for a 660/12 MG.

Cheers, Bill

[nukebass]

I think the "huge" price increase is coming from the "street" price. This, in all fairness, is outside of RIC's control. While the list prices may have increased around 20% this year, on top of a lesser percent in 07, the street price has gone up from around 65-70% of list to 90% (at least at the big retailers) in the past two years. The guitars are still obtainable, though. We will just have to save a little longer.

[jingle_jangle]

A good point. Back in 2004, when I started buying Ricks, street price was about 60% of MSRP. Scarcity has driven SP up, up.

More common brands in the same range of MSRP are hanging where they were...Gretsches, for example, are still at roughly 50-55% of MSRP.

[goofyfoot]

A good point. Back in 2004, when I started buying Ricks, street price was about 60% of MSRP. Scarcity has driven SP up, up.

More common brands in the same range of MSRP are hanging where they were...Gretsches, for example, are still at roughly 50-55% of MSRP.

I had been doing some extensive research on Gretsch pricing of late and from what I've encountered, they're at 65-70% of list on the lower end of the scale. Of course, mileage will vary. Regards....Goofyfoot

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks for the, er, price correction, David!

[JakeK]

Looks like I can never buy a brand new Ric now.

Ah, well, I've got eBay, and I'm trying to locate discontinued models (1997, 4001V63, 360/12CW, etc) anyway

[johneek]

Looks like I can never buy a brand new Ric now.

Ah, well, I've got eBay, and I'm trying to locate discontinued models (1997, 4001V63, 360/12CW, etc) anyway

Jake, don't forget that you've also got this Forum...

[goofyfoot]

Thanks for the, er, price correction, David!

However, Paul, with the "built-to-withstand-nuclear-and-natural-disasters" reputation you have among us, your intel regarding the "50-55% factor" is in all likelihood rock-solid, too. Mind if I PM you at a later date about this, if necessary? Thanks and best regards to you....Goofyfoot.