Group Therapy for Ric Owners-In-Waiting

[gtburge1]

The 22nd of Aug it will be 28 months for my 370/12 MG And it's paid for Balance (0)
Happy Waiting

Regards
GTB

[jimk]

MY NEW GUITAR

I Wonder if My New Guitar

Is still a block of wood

Those Rickenbacker guys are cool

I know they'll make it good

John and Kenny, Eric, Ben

As Craftsmen, they're just fine

I hope I get My New Guitar

Before Two Thousand Nine

Oh that's good, that is.

JimK

[stringsncords]

I'm seriously going to try to check the shipping schedule twice a week, rather than my current 5 times a day...maybe there's some truth to the saying "A Watched Pot Never Boils"...!

[jimk]

I'm seriously going to try to check the shipping schedule twice a week, rather than my current 5 times a day...maybe there's some truth to the saying "A Watched Pot Never Boils"...!

Yeah, I should take that advice, too. I have 7 weeks til the 18 month marker rolls by.

I got a feelin'
A feelin' I can't hide
Oh yeah.....

And it ain't good, either. Of course RIC still has time to cut out my guitar, wire up the pickups, paint her, and let her dry and surprise me. But I got a feelin'...

JimK

[berth]

I'm seriously going to try to check the shipping schedule twice a week, rather than my current 5 times a day...maybe there's some truth to the saying "A Watched Pot Never Boils"...!

I even made an automated script which got the latest models from some of the more famous dealers and parsed it for "4003 BBR" to check wheather there where 4003 BBR's released of which I checked the output several times a day. I stopped the running of it about 1.5 years ago and hardly ever have a look anymore myself.

[jimk]

Man, that's what I call desperate!

Are there any betting folks 'round here? What will you bet me that I won't see my Rick before Valentine's Day 2009? I'd even be willing to make a side bet that it arrives the first week of May, 2009; just about 2 years.

JimK

P.S. Here's another side bet; I'd bet it will have a second week of Febuary '09 serial number. I'll put up 1 set of Rickenbacker 12 sting guitar strings. Any takers?

[stringsncords]

Hey Jim I'll take the bet, but no strings attached.... I just want to win so YOU CAN GET YOUR GUITAR!! Maybe a bet will put a little positive energy your way - you certainly deserve it! Your Brother-in-Waiting (360FG, 660FG), Bob

[indianation65]

Odd musings...I called Musiciansfriend yesterday regarding "B" stock Rickenbackers. An advertisement was sent to me regarding many products, including the Ricks. The agent said they had 330s, "B," in stock, with case, delivered at $1599. Two Christmas seasons ago I amused myself by considering my first new Rick. The price with case, delivered for Fireglos was $999, non B stock. What a difference...

[beatlefreak]

Yeah, I should take that advice, too. I have 7 weeks til the 18 month marker rolls by.

I just passed the 27 month mark.

[jimk]

What's B stock? Scratch and dent?

JimK

[myfretless]

Some dealers get shipments more regularly than others. It is worth it to find out which ones get their instruments with more regularity. Some dealers are better at keeping their payments on time etc.

I have owned 6 Rickenbackers and bought all of them new from an authorized dealer.

I had to wait about a year for my 660 AFG. I waited about 14 months for my 360-12 BBR. I bought my 4003 JG, my 730L-12 FG, my 360VP FG and my 360 DCM with no wait at all because I bought them from dealers that had the guitar in stock. I like to play the guitar first generally.

I know this is probably unusual for you, but it's not THAT uncommon in some parts.

I would say that if you are over 30 months since ordering, ask your dealer for some proof that it was actually ordered (unless it is a more rare guitar that was ordered (lots of mods, LH, 5002, 4004, 340, etc.)

[myfretless]

"B Stock" is a term that Musician's Friend and other dealers tend to use for stock that isn't as good as their "A Stock."

Due to MF's money back guaranty, this means that if someone doesn't like the guitar they purchased, they can return it. "B Stock" represents the guitars that have been used and/or have dings or small defects in them.

It should be noted that RIC has been adamant that no such "B Stock" ever leaves the factory in "B Stock" condition. This is something that happens AFTER the shipment has been delivered to the dealer.

[jps]

"B Stock" is a term that Musician's Friend and other dealers tend to use for stock that isn't as good as their "A Stock."

Due to MF's money back guaranty, this means that if someone doesn't like the guitar they purchased, they can return it. "B Stock" represents the guitars that have been used and/or have dings or small defects in them.

I thought there was a "no return" policy on Ricks at MF, if so, how could they have 'B stock' Ricks?

[indianation65]

Mr. Fretless gave a good description of "B" stock. Musiciansfriend has two types, item number with x or y, item 1234567x or 1234567y. One is scratch and dent, the other is used, didn't care for it, returned and resold. Does MF sell both x and y on Rickenbackers? Probably, I would if I got any nice guitar back for resale. Sitting in a warehouse won't help, and someone will want it. I'm not sure of their policies, but again, it was just two days ago and confirmed by a rep, B stock "was" available at $1599. I wonder how many calls they've gotten since yesterday? Good stuff...I loved used, therefore my painful wait time is simply UPS or Fed Ex, 2-6 days.

Addendum: The true inquisition is in the price jump over a couple of seasons. Odd to me as a former business owner and future business owner, why does the boss want to raise prices to slow the demand? I'm sure "Mr. Rickenbacker Own's the Company" has his reasons.

[nukebass]

You've got two aspects driving price up: MSRP increase and dealer sales price increase. Before RIC increased their MSRP (and, one would assume, dealer cost) due to high demand and increased parts costs (due to the weak dollar, increased oil prices, etc.) dealers had gone up on their asking price. When I ordered my bass in 05, most dealers were asking between 67% and 75% of MSRP for the instrument. That has now gone up to, at least for MF and Sam Ash, 90%. That is probably one of your more significant cost contributors (except for models that had a significant price increase like the 381).

Why would the price go up to slow demand? Simple market economics drive that. According to the demand, Rickenbackers are still significantly underpriced. Now, in light of the recent questions about gasoline price gouging in the Carolinas, I guess I could ask our A.G. to look into RIC price gouging... ( )