Interesting Read, Austin Newspaper

[seanyfitz]

That family tradition stuff is fine, but if that's true, let's see a little ric corporate support for the small mom and pop shops.

[Scastles]

That family tradition stuff is fine, but if that's true, let's see a little ric corporate support for the small mom and pop shops.

'Ya know, when I first posted this story, I found it to back everything I have ever thought about RIC. However, someone has got to come along and make a negative out of a postive. In a perfect world...

[ozover50]

Thanks for posting the article, Stan and thanks to John for an interesting insight into the ongoing difficulties of meeting demand.

+1 on your comment above too, Stan.......

[freshmattyp]

Mr. Hall,
Thank you for your post above. It sounds as though RIC is really trying to do the right thing. There's a Cajun idiom I learned a while back "Lache pas la patate." Loosely translated it means "Keep on keepin' on", or "Hang in there." And although I may grouse a bit on these forums, I hope you'll realize that I'm just venting. Keep up the good work.

JimK

Suckup

(I'm just kidding)

[freshmattyp]

That family tradition stuff is fine, but if that's true, let's see a little ric corporate support for the small mom and pop shops.

'Ya know, when I first posted this story, I found it to back everything I have ever thought about RIC. However, someone has got to come along and make a negative out of a postive. In a perfect world...

We would welcome all points if view. That was what you were going to say, right?

[ozover50]

In my experience the "small mom and pop stores" aren't really interested in top end gear, Sean........ at least that's what I've found in Australia. They would rather stock 'beginner' type goods and rely on turnover from cheap knock-offs, sheet music, accessories and music lessons. None that I've visited over the last 4 or 5 years would tie up a couple of thousand dollars in one instrument when they could almost fill their store with lots of other bits and pieces for the same outlay.

I certainly wouldn't be going to a "mom and pop store" if I was looking for a Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch or higher end Strat because I know they wouldn't have one...... by choice.

[johnallg]

John, thanks for the insight, and also for feeling comfortable coming around again. Most all of us appreciate your input here.

[johnhall]

That family tradition stuff is fine, but if that's true, let's see a little ric corporate support for the small mom and pop shops.

I think if you look through our dealer list you'll find that a majority of our dealers fit this description.

Are you aware that, unlike many others, we have a level field pricing policy? Mom and Pop's Music pays the exact same price that Sam Ash and Musicians Friend does. There are no spiffs, kickbacks, promos, or "incentives" to skew that either.

Why do you think our dealer agreement does not allow a dealer to publish anything but the list price? It's specifically to make customers call the small stores and give them a shot at the deal.

There are no "priority shipments" either. If Mom and Pop's Music ordered something first, they'll get it before MegaMusic Store.

Short of literally subsidizing small stores, I think we're just about as fair and encouraging as anyone in our industry.

[simer4001]

That family tradition stuff is fine, but if that's true, let's see a little ric corporate support for the small mom and pop shops.

I think if you look through our dealer list you'll find that a majority of our dealers fit this description.

Are you aware that, unlike many others, we have a level field pricing policy? Mom and Pop's Music pays the exact same price that Sam Ash and Musicians Friend does. There are no spiffs, kickbacks, promos, or "incentives" to skew that either.

Why do you think our dealer agreement does not allow a dealer to publish anything but the list price? It's specifically to make customers call the small stores and give them a shot at the deal.

There are no "priority shipments" either. If Mom and Pop's Music ordered something first, they'll get it before MegaMusic Store.

Short of literally subsidizing small stores, I think we're just about as fair and encouraging as anyone in our industry.

- I will attest to this. John and Lisa at Old Boise Guitar are a "mom and pops" operation and they are great Rickenbacker people. Now IIRC, the first reported arrival of a "C" Series instrument was me receiving my 360 DCM from Old Boise Guitar before anyone else had posted receiving their instrument. I guess that proves the "no priority shipment" portion. I would hope that seanyfitz would clarify his statement so we can either understand him better or to prove he is off his nut.

[rickenbrother]

I've always seen Mom and Pop type stores that were authorized RIC dealers.

[rob_u]

Around here (Michigan), it's the small mom and pops that are the RIC dealers. Besides all of the special orders that they place, Huber and Breese frequently have a couple of models in stock (although I haven't seen a 12 in a long time), and about 100 times the integrity of THAT big national chain. Let's not forget that the national chain in question had their dealership yanked when they didn't play by the rules (that's supporting the small dealer!). Guess where I bought my last two RIC's? If I were going to order another one (donations anyone?) it would be from them.

And as a former Manager/Buyer in the retail camera business, I can tell you that the manufacturer support the small dealer is great (something the big camera companies do little of), but the support (that means you buy stuff from them) of the consumers is critical to the survival of the mom and pop store.

And by the way, from the article:
"In 2007, Rickenbacker's "60 or so" assembly workers in its 37,000-square-foot factory turned hard-rock maple from Michigan..."

I couldn't be happier that my 360-12 made it back home!

[jimk]

Mr. Hall,
Thank you for your post above. It sounds as though RIC is really trying to do the right thing. There's a Cajun idiom I learned a while back "Lache pas la patate." Loosely translated it means "Keep on keepin' on", or "Hang in there." And although I may grouse a bit on these forums, I hope you'll realize that I'm just venting. Keep up the good work.

JimK

Suckup

(I'm just kidding)

[bassduke49]

Thanks, John, for the great info! I'm amazed that 60% of your production goes export. I would imagine Japan being a huge customer. I know there is trouble dealing with Chinese-made copies, but wonder if there is any emerging customer base for genuine Rickenbacker "imports" from RIC in China?

[wmthor]

Take a look at Ric's dealers, most are what I consider to be "Mom & Pop" stores. For example, I'd classify Pick of the Ricks as a "Mom & Pop" store.

[johnhall]

Thanks, John, for the great info! I'm amazed that 60% of your production goes export. I would imagine Japan being a huge customer. I know there is trouble dealing with Chinese-made copies, but wonder if there is any emerging customer base for genuine Rickenbacker "imports" from RIC in China?

Europe, the U.K. in particular, is a much bigger market for us than Japan, but yes, Japan does okay. There are Rickenbacker instruments being sold into China, though mostly Hong Kong and to a lesser extent, Shanghai, where there is greater affluence and more westerners. But it's not a major market yet and probably won't be for a very long time.