Who's still waiting on a 4003S?

[fazeka]

I don't know Chris, never dealt with him, etc. (sounds like a pretty stand-up guy, actually), but...

I don't understand why the sentiment is that a particular dealer gets instruments before another to where one would gamble their deposit thinking they would get [whatever instrument] first. I mean, really?

Maybe I'm just old-fashioned or...?

I ordered my 4003S FG on July 4 and was told I would receive by September 11. I was like "whatever" because in my mind and in my previous experiences and others I have read about with Rickenbacker, you never really know until it's in your hands. I assumed "worst case" so if I got it next year or the following, fine. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

That said, I got my bass this past Tuesday...

[Kopfjaeger]

There is also the possibility of credit hold or other financial reasons that POTR may not be getting instruments in.

Jeff, do you own a crystal ball?? I'd urge everyone who has an outstanding order with PotR to put some pressure on Chris. Me squawking about my $200. is small potatoes. 20 guys squawking is quite another. If you are unhappy with the amount of info or lack thereof, from PotR, contact him. Ask him where you stand on his list and why has he not upgraded his site? If you are due a Walnut, ask him how come small dealers have gotten theirs and still he has no info on his. We paid $200. for a "first crack" at these and still many have gone un fulfilled. I'm getting ****** at the lack of info!
At this point in time, I'd be satisfied with getting my money refunded and doing business someplace else. My confidence in PotR, is getting past the point of no return. Scheisse or get off the pot!

Sepp

[jps]

Patience and understanding is probably needed at this point in time. No, I do not own a crystal bass (but, they seem to be getting to be very popular on various music related forums of late, however!). Just my perspective from having been a seller/dealer of photography gear, in the past. As you, Sepp, would put it, some Scheisse may be happen lately to POTR, perhaps going back for a few years, with all the recession/depression issues the economy has been going through of late?

[fazeka]

Patience and understanding is probably needed at this point in time.

+1!

[rickyfricky]

I have had several dealings with Chris over the years, to complete satisfaction.

This cyber-speculation seems distasteful, irresponsible, and a bit doo-she...

The official word on these is they would BEGIN shipping in October, so perhaps these few are sneak previews...

[cheyenne]

I've never pre-ordered a bass before, and I'm just now coming up on the beginning of the 8-12 month speculative "delivery" time frame, ( October will be 8 months as a matter of fact), so I'm not complaining, I knew all about the waiting horror stories coming into this deal, and I know I'll eventually get my bass. I've dealt with Chris once before and it was a great experience, I have no reason to badmouth his good name, or the name of his business, I value the fact that POTR's has been on of the top buzz words here on the forum for years, that's why I chose Chris for my new 4003s.

[Colonel Sanders]

Yeah, I'm not happy. I text with Chris 13 days ago to tell him about the Walnut S basses popping up, like daises, for sale on eBay/ I put down a $200 deposit with PotR because I thought Chris would get them first. Now I'm stuck waiting as they pop up for sale on eBay and I sit and watch!!

I contacted Chris again yesterday and told him I've seen a few more for sale. What give??. He replied he was going to contact RIC to see what the hold up was. I've not heard back. Others here have mentioned that his site has not been updated so guys on his wait lists can't figure out where they stand in line and what has been delivered.. I can since I'm #1 for a Walnut 'S", but I'm no closer to knowing when I'll have one.

Chris' stock in instruments is nearly non existent and that is a worrying site. Chris is a stand up guy and I've enjoyed every transaction with him and PotR, up until now.

Maybe others need to start applying pressure. If I could get my $200. refunded, I'd cancel my order and buy one off eBay, in an instant!!!

Sepp

Why don't you transfer your $200 deposit on something else and by one of the many available elsewhere?

[jps]

Re: my credit hold comment. It happens to lots of shops, when times are a bit tough and one needs to choose which bills to pay. Not saying this is the issue with POTR, just saying that could be one possibility. I have worked for some businesses in past years where this was the situation; once the bills are paid all it good again.

Speculation, only, here, based on real world experience.

[Kopfjaeger]

I'm not sure there is anything I want/need at PotR for $200.

In the "grand scheme" of things, it's a guitar, not life and death. However,I'm less than thrilled by the lack of info coupled with the fact that not only has PotR not gotten any walnut "S" basses but he didn't even know RIC had made any and shipped them, while PotR was early on the pre order list.

When did the first batch of "S" basses start to ship, March or so? So RIC took 4 months to run a batch of walnuts. So maybe another 4 months until another batch? Maybe?

Do I want to cancel my order and buy one of the basses off eBay? Tough question, I suppose it depends on what the projected time frame is. In a few weeks, or sooner, the walnut "S" basses on eBay may be gone so being off a list with no instruments to buy us not an attractive option either.

All I know is a bunch of customers plunked $200 down for instruments and the majority of these customers have not gotten instruments and gave no idea where they sit on the waiting list. At a minimum, PotR needs to provide timely info.

Sepp

[cheyenne]

If you look at it from a deposit standpoint,my bass is paid in full. Maybe that moves me in front of the line vs. folks who only dropped $200.00?

[lordblackmore]

Chris has never said nor even implied that POTR can get instruments earlier than other dealers. While it certainly is possible that he gets preferential treatment from RIC, I very much doubt that. In fact, I think RIC probably tries to play fairly with distribution so that no one deal gets all of the new stuff first.

The reason I only buy from Chris and I'm happy to give him the $200 deposit is because he is trustworthy, reliable and provides a complete setup to my requirements prior to shipping instruments. I've purchased two instruments from him, a 620/6 which took almost a year to arrive and the 4003s, which I got quickly (and feel very fortunate about) because POTR happened to get the NAMM bass.

Chris' stock in instruments is nearly non existent and that is a worrying site.

Perhaps. But I'm guessing that most of his business is based on pre orders, which means he doesn't need to keep a lot of stock on hand. TBH, I've been dealing with POTR for about 11 years now and I can't recall him ever having a lot of stuff on hand.

[jps]

Every time I have been to POTR there have always been an amazing assortment of Ricks, from all vintages, and some very rare ones, too.

[bottom4]

I'm sure Chris will refund your money, particularly after this. Just ask the man...

hes been a long standing friend of this forum. Let's keep it that way. No need to chase off another...

[lordblackmore]

Every time I have been to POTR there have always been an amazing assortment of Ricks, from all vintages, and some very rare ones, too.

I've never actually been there, but based on what I've seen on the website, it seems like he needs to order a lot of stuff when orders are placed. But people who have been there would know far better than I.

As a side note, if anyone takes my comments as dismissing their concerns, I'm sorry for that. It certainly isn't my intention and I'd be concerned if I was in the same situation.

[light_my_lucky]

It amazes me how little people know about how the business works. Some of you should be very ashamed of yourselves!