NAMM 2013

[johnallg]

Did you see the CEO of RickenBOCKer?

[manta]

If it were up to me, someone here wouldn't make it to post #10.

Agreed.

[admin]

Just in passing it is up to me and I am in complete agreement. Problem solved. Your patience is appreciated.

[rickenbrother]

Thank you, Peter!

[electrofaro]

Although I am nowhere familiar with the laws in any of these countries mentioned, or of RIC's distibutor agreement, I would have to assume that they may have similar restrictions as to where they can sell

Any such restrictions are illegal in the EU open market if consumers from EU countries are subject of this exclusion. The importer would risk a nice fine if they put a restriction in writing that states a dealer can only sell to their own countrymen excluding other EU countries.

[fireglo67]

I live in the UK, but as a citizen of the European community, I can buy a guitar in Germany, France, Belgium or wherever just as easily as I can elsewhere in the EU - no limits on trade, no additional VAT (sales tax) or Duty payable - which is the whole point of the 'Common Market'. So, if the Ric Corp start to produce 'special models' for France & Benelux, I and other UK residents will simply buy these direct from the relevant EU dealers, at the expense of the UK dealer network

Although I am nowhere familiar with the laws in any of these countries mentioned, or of RIC's distibutor agreement, I would have to assume that they may have similar restrictions as to where they can sell. For example the dealer agreements for North America do not permit selling outside of North America, otherwise US dealers would be shipping new product to Europe and OZ. I would think any distributor would want some assurance that they have a protected territory. Of course this is all speculation on my part. It would be nice to think that those in the UK and elsewhere in Europe could buy specials made for a particular distibutor.

Even so, there are some US dealers that are willing to ship Rics to the UK if you don't mind paying the shipping, tax and duties. But obviously you would be purchasing a new guitar without any warranty guarantee, so that's a risk you take, very much like purchasing an ebay 'one off' from the Ric outlet, which only includes warranty cover for the US..
EU law is pretty clear in that there are no limits of trade across borders, and any attempt to enforce restrictions would be in direct violation of those laws.
I suppose that Ric could restrict warranties to certain territories, but I'm not sure whether even this would be in violation of EU law?
Either way, these new distributors in Europe will be interesting to watch, and also to see what impact they have on pricing.

[T.A.R.]

Thank you, Peter!

+1

[rickenbrother]

Thank you, Peter!

+1

And Gil!

[T.A.R.]

Oh yes! Thanks Gil

[k43rover]

Even so, there are some US dealers that are willing to ship Rics to the UK if you don't mind paying the shipping, tax and duties. But obviously you would be purchasing a new guitar without any warranty guarantee, so that's a risk you take, very much like purchasing an ebay 'one off' from the Ric outlet, which only includes warranty cover for the US..

I didn't realise the factory one-offs did not have warranty cover outside the US. Why would they do that? Even if it's true, you'd still have usual buyer protection cover for DOA issues via eBay/Paypal.

[rickyfricky]

Thank you, Peter!

+1

And Gil!

+1.

[electrofaro]

EU law is pretty clear in that there are no limits of trade across borders, and any attempt to enforce restrictions would be in direct violation of those laws.
I suppose that Ric could restrict warranties to certain territories, but I'm not sure whether even this would be in violation of EU law?
Either way, these new distributors in Europe will be interesting to watch, and also to see what impact they have on pricing.

EU law only covers the EU and consumers who are legally resident inside the EU. Therefore, it's not illegal to tell a dutch dealer they can't sell to an australian (as long as the australian is not legally resident in the EU - how to determine this might be a whole lecture of its own), or for a company to tell an american dealer to not sell to europeans. EU warranty/guaranty also only applies to the same: bought in EU by someone legally residing in EU.

Wouldn't it benefit Ric if they'd have their own fully owned EU distributor like Gibson or Taylor?

[electrofaro]

Your patience is appreciated.

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.” someone once said... I don't have any patience...

[fireglo67]

Even so, there are some US dealers that are willing to ship Rics to the UK if you don't mind paying the shipping, tax and duties. But obviously you would be purchasing a new guitar without any warranty guarantee, so that's a risk you take, very much like purchasing an ebay 'one off' from the Ric outlet, which only includes warranty cover for the US..

I didn't realise the factory one-offs did not have warranty cover outside the US. Why would they do that? Even if it's true, you'd still have usual buyer protection cover for DOA issues via eBay/Paypal.

I would guess it's down to cost and logistics. Shipping the guitar to and from the States for any minor warranty inspection/work would be quite prohibitive.
I'm sure that if there were any major problems with the guitar within a reasonable time frame then Ric would sort that out, but for minor issues like defective pickups or electronics it just wouldn't be worthwhile paying $250 dollars each way for shipping. And then there would be all the customs forms to fill out too..........

[fireglo67]

EU law is pretty clear in that there are no limits of trade across borders, and any attempt to enforce restrictions would be in direct violation of those laws.
I suppose that Ric could restrict warranties to certain territories, but I'm not sure whether even this would be in violation of EU law?
Either way, these new distributors in Europe will be interesting to watch, and also to see what impact they have on pricing.

EU law only covers the EU and consumers who are legally resident inside the EU. Therefore, it's not illegal to tell a dutch dealer they can't sell to an australian (as long as the australian is not legally resident in the EU - how to determine this might be a whole lecture of its own), or for a company to tell an american dealer to not sell to europeans.

Sorry, I should have said that I was specifically talking about a restriction of trade within the EU.