Bad Vibes from NYC
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Bad Vibes from NYC
So I went to NYC this weekend and checked out several of the stores. I played a 330/12 string over at Manny's Music and they were very nice. I also ended up buying a DD-3 Petal from Umanov's store as well. However, I went to Rudy's music shop and delt with some rude and arrogant people. I asked one guy in the acoustic department about Ric's and he says They are difficult to work with, and when he was at the NAMM show they acted like "a**holes" I was surprised and I left the store. They had a beautiful Montezuma Brown 620, but saying comments like that are not what a seller should say.
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rickenbrother
- RRF Moderator
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When dealing with sales people in stores on 48th St. in Manhattan, It usually depends on what time of day you go there. If you get there at a quite time, which is usually just the first hour the stores are opened, the sales people are prone to be more friendly and helpful.
If you get there when those stores are busy, the sales people only like to deal with the customers who seem like they will spend a grip of money and will get a definite sale from.
I haven't purchased an instrument on 48thSt. in several years. Some of those guys are alright depending on the time of day, some think they are rock stars that are better than you and always have an attitude.
When people in a store bad mouth the manufacturers they get instruments from, it tells you something about the character and integrity of the store. I got that same **** from Guitar Center about RIC. Several years ago I had a small music store in the Bronx, NY and was an authorized RIC dealer. The woman who was my sales rep for RIC was a very nice lady and great to deal with.
If you get there when those stores are busy, the sales people only like to deal with the customers who seem like they will spend a grip of money and will get a definite sale from.
I haven't purchased an instrument on 48thSt. in several years. Some of those guys are alright depending on the time of day, some think they are rock stars that are better than you and always have an attitude.
When people in a store bad mouth the manufacturers they get instruments from, it tells you something about the character and integrity of the store. I got that same **** from Guitar Center about RIC. Several years ago I had a small music store in the Bronx, NY and was an authorized RIC dealer. The woman who was my sales rep for RIC was a very nice lady and great to deal with.
JETGLO should officially be renamed JETGLO ROCKS! 
For what it's worth, Steve's Music in downtown Toronto occasionally has a few Ric's for sale. This past Saturday, I asked one of the clerks (very pleasant and helpful, it should be noted) why they had so few pass through the store, and were RIC "good to work with".
She said yes, her experience with them has always been fine...and then explained that Steve's usually only gets "extra" Ric's, due to the nature of the instrument ie: it has to be specially ordered.
And hey, Steve's in this town has a reputation of often being surly and somewhat snobby. Not in this case.
But that does beg the question: geesh guys (and gals, in some cases), you're not REALLY a rock star, you're a clerk! No shame in that whatsoever, but lose the attitude.
Reminds me of certain waiters in certain restaurants, or record-store clerks (showing my age with that term) at cool record stores. Hey, at least I saw the Clash and the Jam live..., as they give me that condescending look as I purchase some CD box set, as if I am not worthy to listen to said box set.
Same thing very often at guitar stores. Which is why when I bought my 381 recently, I was honestly intimidated when the sales clerk asked if I wanted try it first. But of course, but not when you've already whipped through Sweet Home Stairway to Paranoid and I'm going to rather weakly attempt I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better.
Okay, feel better now. Must go put out the trash...
She said yes, her experience with them has always been fine...and then explained that Steve's usually only gets "extra" Ric's, due to the nature of the instrument ie: it has to be specially ordered.
And hey, Steve's in this town has a reputation of often being surly and somewhat snobby. Not in this case.
But that does beg the question: geesh guys (and gals, in some cases), you're not REALLY a rock star, you're a clerk! No shame in that whatsoever, but lose the attitude.
Reminds me of certain waiters in certain restaurants, or record-store clerks (showing my age with that term) at cool record stores. Hey, at least I saw the Clash and the Jam live..., as they give me that condescending look as I purchase some CD box set, as if I am not worthy to listen to said box set.
Same thing very often at guitar stores. Which is why when I bought my 381 recently, I was honestly intimidated when the sales clerk asked if I wanted try it first. But of course, but not when you've already whipped through Sweet Home Stairway to Paranoid and I'm going to rather weakly attempt I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better.
Okay, feel better now. Must go put out the trash...
How much!?!
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jingle_jangle
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I've read several dozen reviews, letters, hundreds of posts on this and other Forums (not all exclusively Rick) about Rickenbacker and "dealing with them".
1. People forget that Rick is a manufacturer, dealing primarily with the trade. They do handle customer requests in a person-to-person manner and because there are personalities involved, arrogance from a customer is not going to receive a positive reception.
The negative experiences I've read about other people dealing with Rickenbacker, seem to be written by the type of people who like to go head-to-head, even over a small item like extra screws from Rick's parts department (ahem).
Conversely, it seems like politeness and respect usually gets same. I personally have never believed that "the customer is always right". That's nonsense. It's better if the manufacturer can foster a win/win atmosphere in dealing with its customer base. Then the customer feels well-served. That's more important to most people than being right all the time.
Sounds like the store clerk was (a) parroting something he heard / read elsewhere, or (b) describing his own experiences at NAMM. Trade shows are a zoo, and a great deal of patience is necessary in order to get the most out of the experience. Combine this with the egos that come out of the woodwork for NAMM, and it becomes even more important to keep perspective and a sense of humor on tap.
Back to the topic of parts. I believe that Rick is about to take a quantum leap in the spare parts from stock category.
1. People forget that Rick is a manufacturer, dealing primarily with the trade. They do handle customer requests in a person-to-person manner and because there are personalities involved, arrogance from a customer is not going to receive a positive reception.
The negative experiences I've read about other people dealing with Rickenbacker, seem to be written by the type of people who like to go head-to-head, even over a small item like extra screws from Rick's parts department (ahem).
Conversely, it seems like politeness and respect usually gets same. I personally have never believed that "the customer is always right". That's nonsense. It's better if the manufacturer can foster a win/win atmosphere in dealing with its customer base. Then the customer feels well-served. That's more important to most people than being right all the time.
Sounds like the store clerk was (a) parroting something he heard / read elsewhere, or (b) describing his own experiences at NAMM. Trade shows are a zoo, and a great deal of patience is necessary in order to get the most out of the experience. Combine this with the egos that come out of the woodwork for NAMM, and it becomes even more important to keep perspective and a sense of humor on tap.
Back to the topic of parts. I believe that Rick is about to take a quantum leap in the spare parts from stock category.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
I agree. I love a guitar store that doesn't mind that you go in just for a visit and request to play an instrument. That is how instruments are bought after all. Being an hour away from Elderly in Michigan has been good for me. I have gone in there several times to just see what they have. And I have a les Paul Custom because they don't mind if you go in and browse around.