Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It just occurred to me the title of this thread is pretty much an oxymoron.

I'll be sticking with Rick's but feel that if service is not up to the mark, then we should feel free to be able to discuss this here. If JH decides we are a non entity as a market then, to your point, he will be loosing sales.

The world has become a very small place thanks to the net. Can it be that RIC cannot find a reputable distributor here in OZ. Unlikely IMHO . Or is this due to RIC's current marketing strategy? Indulge me as I explore this a little. RIC's products are not copied by others en mass, nor can they be, nor are they as popular as the main stream guitar/bass makers from the USA. They are, if you agree with my arguments so far, a niche market / product manufacturer. So, like certain exotic performance car makers (Italian... dancing horses and bulls..red...), for example, they keep their product output to limited numbers to allow higher asking prices. RIC's most desirable products (IMHO) are their vintage reissue items. With not to many nostalgia instruments coming up (but stay tuned).......there are only so many of these that can be sold before saturation occurs. So RIC must release it's limited viability products slooowly and carefully (Im waiting for the 360/12C64 McGuinn myself, Im sure RM is too!).

Wow full B-Series....Average V Series, pretty good C-Series.....next.....????

So Twenty Million Aussies...Three Hundred Mil + in USA, Europe????? markets....we Down Under are not a blip on the JH radar. If only The Beatles or Byrds hailed from OZ, things would be different eh??

Im not being negative, just realistic, it's business....we are screwed. "What happened to you man...? It used to be about the music...Ca-Ching..."

Byron, Played a Maton 12 elec just last Saturday. Felt like a Les Paul (plank) neck with 12 strings, and not "the sound", but I loved the funky selector switch...not enough to want one though.

Si.

37012player wrote:Byron, Played a Maton 12 elec just last Saturday. Felt like a Les Paul (plank) neck with 12 strings, and not "the sound", but I loved the funky selector switch...not enough to want one though.

I had never heard of Maton until I got introduced to John Butler trio. Now, I would love to find a 12 string to get my mitts on and play.

37012player wrote:It just occurred to me the title of this thread is pretty much an oxymoron.

I'll be sticking with Rick's but feel that if service is not up to the mark, then we should feel free to be able to discuss this here. If JH decides we are a non entity as a market then, to your point, he will be loosing sales.

The world has become a very small place thanks to the net. Can it be that RIC cannot find a reputable distributor here in OZ. Unlikely IMHO . Or is this due to RIC's current marketing strategy? Indulge me as I explore this a little. RIC's products are not copied by others en mass, nor can they be, nor are they as popular as the main stream guitar/bass makers from the USA. They are, if you agree with my arguments so far, a niche market / product manufacturer. So, like certain exotic performance car makers (Italian... dancing horses and bulls..red...), for example, they keep their product output to limited numbers to allow higher asking prices. RIC's most desirable products (IMHO) are their vintage reissue items. With not to many nostalgia instruments coming up (but stay tuned).......there are only so many of these that can be sold before saturation occurs. So RIC must release it's limited viability products slooowly and carefully.

Si.

Lots of mistaken suppositions here, Si.

Rick's "marketing strategy"? To work as hard and fast as they can with the capacity they have (limited by space, staff, and environmental factors), to fill the orders that their faithful dealers (most of whom "get it") keep bringing in. There is no contrived or artificial, conscious effort to keep production low in order to keep prices jacked up. They're a niche manufacturer, too true, but have no desire to conquer the guitar world. As a manufacturer, they're satisfied with their place in the market and do their best to service their customers--the dealers, not the end users (us). They have no "marketing department". They show up at NAMM and take orders. They talk to their dealers regularly. Their business model is not tied to "take the money and run"--instead, it's make a product for a certain amount of money, add a reasonable markup, and sell at that price to their customers--the dealers. Their close relationship with their end-users (us) is a benefit to us and can be a hassle to them, as they're focused on cranking along, not rocking any boats, while listening to complaints that are not germane to the tasks at hand.

Their efforts right now are focused upon whittling down a substantial backlog without compromising quality. And, indeed, the quality of their instruments has never been better overall. Demand is good, their capacity to fill orders is consistent and improving. They are not a company to make drastic or radical changes in anything for the sake of short-term solutions, and this gives them the stability and financial independence to survive as a family-owned and family-run enterprise in a pool of multinational sharks.

As far as market saturation goes, they've saturated their part of the market, and the numbers continue to grow anyway. Further market penetration is not desirable unless manufacturing capacity grows ahead of the saturation. RIC chooses not to take that risk.

As I understand it JH has had approaches from at least two parties interested in establishing a Rickenbacker distributorship in Australia. That's all good and well but at this time RIC are not in a position to supply any stock - regardless of the size of an initial order - due to existing production commitments. I would think it would be at least 18 months before any were shipped here if an order were placed now.

A population of 20 million plus does not necessarily mean that the Australian market is one fifteenth of the US market either. Poor ordering and stocking policies by the previous distributor(s) means that the market here has shrunk to some extent as a consequence. Try selling some 'as new' Ricks at very good prices either on eBay or on consignment in a music store and you'll find out just how popular they are with the guitar buying community.... it's really only the diehards who are interested.

Perhaps if JH were to appoint a distributor we might see some parts come into the country prior to any instruments but my guess is that these would be of the 'consumable' variety rather than those that would be classed as 'swap' items or ones that could be used to dress a 'non-Rickenbacker' as a 'genuine' one.

I know it's frustrating but if you have friends in the US or are visiting I'm sure some arrangements could be made to purchase the required items - assuming they are available, of course. The obvious plan B is to keep the eyes peeled on US eBay.

Hey Guys,

My 2 cents again...
Regardless of marketing strategies and distributors for the actual guitars...we should still simply be able to purchase parts from the US, online via Pick of the Ricks or themusicconnection.
This is all I really want. It was possible up until a few months ago.

I agree about parts and 'boutique' items. If there's no supplier here in Oz, we should be able to get from whoever we want.
Ric Asia couldn't get me a strap - I can't get one from the US direct - but my friend in the US can get it for me through Ric boutique and send it to me. As they say in the US - 'go figure'...

byron21351 wrote:...Ric Asia couldn't get me a strap - I can't get one from the US direct - but my friend in the US can get it for me through Ric boutique and send it to me. As they say in the US - 'go figure'...

Unfortunately you will have to pay the extra shipping to get it to your friend.

Paul,

You have got me all wrong here, or at least construed my last post wrongly. I did not suggest that RIC were a "take the money and run" organisation, selling products at over inflated prices. I did not say that, nor do I believe that. Please remember that this thread is a free spirited discussion (none corporate) about the current state of affairs here in Oz.

Your a lucky man up there, imagine if over night you had our problem. Yep, I'm frustrated and to be honest disappointed by a lack of service down here, but despite this, as I mentioned, "Im sticking with Ricks".

Who knows, maybe Aussies are the biggest fans / consumers of RIC's products per head of population, but who would know? (No im not suggesting that IS the case either). I was just pointing out that it seems unlikely we will get any product anytime soon, seeing as it's limited "Up There" what chance "Down Here". The point about parts is, why not us too, at reasonable mark-ups? (refer to my earlier post about toaster covers at $60 ex-Japan+postage versus $20 for the same item ex-USA + postage).

It is sad that those enthusiasts here cannot join in with some nice mods to our instruments too

Yes, I was just guessing about what the RIC marketing strategy might be, as I have no idea what it actually is. I do know that JH and others from RIC read these pages and have been hoping for a comment on this issue. Despite requests in the past, I am still hoping for an official comment. Ok dealers are RIC's clients, but they surely see the end user as important to their business marketing planning process?

You have influence, perhaps you would ask RIC to answer some of the questions that Australians have posted within this forum. That would simply be the end of it....well this thread anyway(?) Regardless, Im all for free speech, and defend our rights here to debate these sort of issues.

This will be my last post on this subject. I'm almost certainly guilty of labouring these points, but hey, I care. No offence was implied or intended. PM me if you would like to discuss this further however, but Im sure most are done with my grumbling here and further words will add nothing to this thread (?).

Cheers,

Si...................a BIG Rick fan......

Oops!

Paul, and All,

Of course please post your reply/s to my last post for all to see. My comment about PM'ing me was not intended as a "take my bat and ball and go home" wrt this very healthy discussion...just I've had my say and am now bowing out.

Si...........

37012player wrote:Paul,

You have got me all wrong here, or at least construed my last post wrongly. I did not suggest that RIC were a "take the money and run" organisation, selling products at over inflated prices. I did not say that, nor do I believe that. Please remember that this thread is a free spirited discussion (none corporate) about the current state of affairs here in Oz.

Your a lucky man up there, imagine if over night you had our problem. Yep, I'm frustrated and to be honest disappointed by a lack of service down here, but despite this, as I mentioned, "Im sticking with Ricks".

Who knows, maybe Aussies are the biggest fans / consumers of RIC's products per head of population, but who would know? (No im not suggesting that IS the case either). I was just pointing out that it seems unlikely we will get any product anytime soon, seeing as it's limited "Up There" what chance "Down Here". The point about parts is, why not us too, at reasonable mark-ups? (refer to my earlier post about toaster covers at $60 ex-Japan+postage versus $20 for the same item ex-USA + postage).

It is sad that those enthusiasts here cannot join in with some nice mods to our instruments too

Yes, I was just guessing about what the RIC marketing strategy might be, as I have no idea what it actually is. I do know that JH and others from RIC read these pages and have been hoping for a comment on this issue. Despite requests in the past, I am still hoping for an official comment. Ok dealers are RIC's clients, but they surely see the end user as important to their business marketing planning process?

You have influence, perhaps you would ask RIC to answer some of the questions that Australians have posted within this forum. That would simply be the end of it....well this thread anyway(?) Regardless, Im all for free speech, and defend our rights here to debate these sort of issues.

This will be my last post on this subject. I'm almost certainly guilty of labouring these points, but hey, I care. No offence was implied or intended. PM me if you would like to discuss this further however, but Im sure most are done with my grumbling here and further words will add nothing to this thread (?).

Cheers,

Si...................a BIG Rick fan......

First off, Si, although it's flattering to think that you or anyone else thinks that I "have influence", this is overstating my friendship with the Halls and presuming that I would interject my own or anyone else's ideas into the operation of their very efficient family business. I'm always interested to see what is happening at the factory, and always ready to listen and offer suggestions, but only when asked. It is true that I can see how and why they operate RIC as it is operated, and understand what I've seen. This, coupled with my own experiences, both in industry and small, craft-focused businesses for over three decades, leads me to empathize nearly wholly with their way of doing things. I would not presume to tell them anything. John and Ben read these Forums and are very much aware of every debate as it happens, and I can add nothing that I haven't said here.

Second, I at times have helped with the "Australian crisis", and have put forth effort to help a couple of your countrymen to obtain (used) parts or instruments and assist in shipping same to Oz as a personal favor to these Rick enthusiasts. So I have, in a tiny way, put my effort into things other than flapping my jaw on this issue. But no way would I act to counter the factory's rules on this whole situation. My own belief, and I know it's thin as far as reassurance goes, is that this is a short-term problem and will sort itself as soon as an arrangement can be made that works for RIC and whoever the middleman ends up being. Note that this is me talking through my hat with no inside information whatsoever.

A number of us have done that, Miguel. Hardly a flight has passed across the Pacific without a Rick or something on board!

There are some great people on both sides who wouldn't blink a eye when asked to help. In fact a forumite helped me to the extent that he paid for a guitar and had it shipped to him before I even paid him for it!

Shipping is damned expensive as you say but with our dollar around 0.096 USD it's much more bearable.

wooly wrote:I sold one a couple of years ago and sent it to Australia.

....And of course, that was the Burgundy 320! Many thanks MIke, it's still greatly appreciated!
Many of the Ricks sourced by us Aussies have come via ebay, or a mate bringing one,or two,..or more back for us!
But it would still be nice to walk into a guitar shop here and see a 'Brand Spankin' one up on the wall! Or to walk up to the counter and ask for "3 toasters please"!!!

Thanks Miguel - nicely put.
BYron

Why I dont understand is why Rickenbacker doesnt expand (staff and production space) to meet the demand? Thats the way business works right?

Or perhaps this has been discussed already and there is an obvious reason why they're not growing to accommodate their growing market demand.

Folks, can I respectfully suggest that the newer members to the Forum, who are interested in the topics of Rickenbacker's supply and demand; efforts to reduce backlog; policy on supply of parts outside of USA et al, avail themselves of the excellent search facility at the top right hand corner of the Forum page?

Please don't take my comment the wrong way - I'm not trying to stifle discussion in any way - that's what we're all here for. It's just that these topics have been covered in significant depth, including answers from RIC directly, in prior Forum postings. There's a wealth of information at your fingertips!