help please

[dave001]

HI I DONT KNOW HOW I STAND ON THIS BUT
i brought a rickenbacker 4003 bass FROM GUITAR GUITAR store on the 5th of march ,
i called the shop and was told they had new basses in.
When i went to the shop to buy the instrument i was told that the only one left was the one on display and if i wanted a new one i would have to wait a year
i agreed to take it after checking it and was given a £50 discount from the £1500.00
After playing the instrument for a couple of days i noticed a bad fret buzz and took the guitar back to the shop
the technician said that the fret were badly sat and gave me a replacement from off display , i asked " i thought there was a year waiting list ?he said "no not with us"
i also checked the web site to see you had a few in stock .
I took the new bass home and didnt play it for a month (due to working away), when i played the instrument i noticed that there was a loose saddle and fret buzz
i took it back to the shop and the tech set it up , i tried it quickly in the shop
later that night i took it out to play and noticed that the complete neck vibrated and buzzed , i turn the G string one notch to release the tension, see if it helped the buzz and the string snapped! how can loosening a string make it snap??
i tried the bass without the G string and i buzzes lick nuts

have i got the right to get my money back , i know this is not a help line but i am wondering if anyone had similar experiences

any advice will be of help
thank you

[johnallg]

Your experience is unique but I would take it back for a refund then find an honorable shop.

[Grey]

You agreed to accept a floor model so I don't know if their standard return policy applies. Plus, with how long you've had it..

[jps]

You agreed to accept a floor model so I don't know if their standard return policy applies.

That is the SOP at both GC and SA, all you get most of the time is the floor model!

[badeggs]

Seems like with this many problems, the neck must be twisted, or there's something terribly wrong with the truss rods.

So is the neck twisted? Are the rods loose/damaged/broken? Are they missing!?

[david/wales/u.k]

Your Bass should be under a years warranty and the shop has an obligation to send it back to Rossetti (Rics UK Suppliers) to look at it. If there is a problem then Rossetti will put it right.....I'm assuming you're in the UK.

[Hotzenplotz]

I had two much minor issues for sending back to Rosetti. No problem. The dealer just has got to do it. They will answer very fast.

[Grey]

That is the SOP at both GC and SA, all you get most of the time is the floor model!

Ah.. I personally would not pay retail prices for what is essentialy a used instrument. When I bought my Jazzmaster from GC, they had a new one shipped to me from the warehouse (no extra charge) because I did not want a floor model.

[johnhall]

Your experience is unique but I would take it back for a refund then find an honorable shop.

From all I've heard this *IS* one of the better, "honorable" shops in the U.K. but others over there would have a better idea of that, since they are under Rosetti's purview. And, of course, Rosetti *IS* ultimately the place for warranty service.

[Hotzenplotz]

And they do well. Said from a satisfied customer.

[dave001]

I agree, the instrument is used if it as been played on the shop floor
And this is the 2nd one ive had from them
surely this bass is not fit for purpose and i will be due a refund,
i just do not have faith in the company anymore.
guitar guitar is a uk shop i am in the uk

[Grey]

I'm sure you will get a refund. Do you have any other options in the UK for buying a 4003?

[Hotzenplotz]

Yes, there are many!

This way I went:

http://www.soundaffectsmusic.com/rickenbacker.html?p=3

(even a Ruby in stock!)

[k43rover]

I agree, the instrument is used if it as been played on the shop floor
And this is the 2nd one ive had from them
surely this bass is not fit for purpose and i will be due a refund,
i just do not have faith in the company anymore.
guitar guitar is a uk shop i am in the uk

Hi David. Sorry to hear about your issues.

Guitarguitar are definitely UK authorised dealers, so if the guitar was sold to you "as new" and with a full standard UK warranty then any manufacturing defects should be covered for repair under that warranty. However, I'm not sure where you'd stand in terms of a full/partial refund. If the dealer is resisting your request for a refund, I guess you'd have to clearly show they sold you a guitar which was not fit for purpose under UK legislation (especially the Sale of Goods Act). See this website for more details on your rights under that law.

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/t ... aataglance

If you're unhappy with the way guitarguitar are dealing with it, I'd first write to Rosetti (the UK distributor which supplies all the authorised UK dealers with their official Rickenbacker stock) outlining all the facts and see what they say as you may find they can help you resolve things to your satisfaction without the need for any legalistic recourse. I'd send them either a snailmail letter by recorded delivery, or an email (so you have proof of despatch/receipt). Rosetti's contact details are here:

http://www.rosetti.co.uk/Contact

If you're still not happy with how Rosetti respond, I'd then have a chat with your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) as they'll be able to give you the full nine yards on your legal rights under the Sale of Goods Act etc. You can find your local CAB here:

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm

Anyhow...good luck with getting your problems sorted (hopefully quickly)!

[k43rover]

Do you have any other options in the UK for buying a 4003?

I recently bought a new Rick through Sound Affects. Their customer service was just great. I would 100% recommend them (thanks Tim! )!