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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:37 am
by bottom4
Oh yeah – the story!

Hey, I needed to play these bad boys a little you know!

Well, like most of us, I frantically called local dealers trying to snatch up a couple of DCM’s. On my second call I scored two 4003’s from a guy I had some minor purchases with – but someone I would consider a reputable dealer. He initially sold me both 4003’s at $1750 each – pretty good deal I’d say. Well about an hour later he calls me back after he realized what was happening and told me he could only honor one bass at $1750 and the other one would have to be list if I still wanted it. OK – let me think about this for a second I told him and then proceeded to tell him that this was BS – all the time knowing of course I would pay list for the second one – for both really. OK, deal done.

Jump ahead a few months

Two weeks ago when JH announced on this great forum that the 4003’s would be shipping, I contact my dealer to advise him that they were on their way, and that’s when I got that funny feeling in my stomach. The guy on the other end of the phone told me that he was just about to call to tell me his store was sold to GUITAR CENTER. WHAT? Yes, GUITAR CENTER, and of course they are not an authorized dealer of RIC and therefore no longer had my order. At that point everything became one big echo. He did tell me however, and I did manage to hear, that the company that used to own them still had the basses on order. He gave me a name and number to call. I called the guy at the company.

For the sake of not revealing the identity of this guy, I’ll call him “Dick”. Well, Dick didn’t want to hear anything about my hardship story and said I’ll just need to keep watching the online shop for when they come up for sale.

I contacted Mr. Hall to see if there was a way his folks would be able to tell me when the basses where shipped to this dealer so I could stay on top of things to ensure I got my basses. John e-mailed me himself when they had shipped. From that moment on I kept calling Dick back – he wouldn’t return call. Finally, another gentlemen from this company called me back yesterday (his name is Eric) to advise me that it was Dick’s last day, the basses were in, and they were honoring my original purchase!

That’s it – no big deal!

Again, a big THANK YOU to JH!

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:40 am
by marc61
Sounds good Andy. Hope I , and some others here have the same luck, and actually get our instruments.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:44 am
by kcole4001
It's nice to see everything worked out in the end!

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:49 am
by rickaddict
Wow, what a story. I'm glad things worked out for you Andy.

My dealer has me a little nervous.

I sure hope he doesn't turn into a "Dick."

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:56 am
by marc61
Oh, Jeff, we already know he is a "Dick",question is will he deliver our basses?

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:05 pm
by dswp
Congratulations Andy ENJOY IT!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:16 pm
by rickenbrother
Congrats Andy, enjoy it. I'm glad it turned out well. I can imagine that it was driving you nuts thinking that you might be out of the DCM's! JH, HE's the man!! Image

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:26 pm
by ajish4
Glad it had a happy ending!

I'd like to have someone tell me that Fende* would do something like that!

Does anyone remember the EF Hutton commercials?

Image

That is SO cool that John got involved and all worked out well.

ENJOY!

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:46 pm
by jps
Glad it worked out for you, Andy. This is another reason to only deal with good, reputable, known dealers like Jim Rhoads, Chris Clayton, Mike Parks, etc.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:33 pm
by cheyenne
Cool.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:43 pm
by cheyenne
Marc, you have the same paranoia I had. When I saw Edgar's major Ebay event, I stressed everyday after that.

But,, I kept faith in my dealer whom I've bought many thousands of dollars of equipment through some 30 years, and it worked out for me.

For what its worth, I ordered mine about 3 minutes after my dealers store opened on that September day, maybe timing is a major factor here.??

Keep the faith Marc. I hope it works out.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:55 pm
by marc61
Dunno Scott...no matter when you ordered, no way of telling in what order the stores ordered, or more importantly, when the orders were filled.

I got a little bit messed up because I originally ordered right away from Rudy's Music in NY, a very reputable place. Only problem was their bass salesperson didn't realize they had gotten shut out.

He did call me right away to apologize, but I had to scramble after that.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:21 pm
by cheyenne
Its a **** shoot for sure Marc. I posted my concerns in an earlier post revolving around shipping personell, and had a few forum members doubt my faith in "dealers", ect...

I've always lived in the "real" world, and been around the block a few times.

Im sure we'll hear some unfortunate stories before all are "delivered".

Hopefully Rickenbacker will be able to sort out and chastize the "shady" ( if any! ), dealers.

Keep in mind, this is all speculation at this point.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:26 pm
by johnallg
Great story Andy, with a great ending! Nice to have an "uncle" in the business! Says something for the RIC instrument reputation and the dealer's desire to maintain selling the line also.

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:49 pm
by cheyenne