Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Mark:

I haven't noticed any response from John.

I'd imagine he has to be delicate in a situation like this. I'm sure if he did address (I have a feeling he would) it, that it would be done privately. I know RIC has pulled dealerships in the past, but I don't what the reasoning was.

I didn't answer because it's a non-issue. Our customers are music stores- they can do with them whatever they please. If you don't like a store's policy, shop elsewhere.

There you have it Mark, which takes me back to what I said earlier....This is the very reason I only deal with Mike Parks or Chris Clayton.

I wonder if the dealer in question realizes just how much business he has actually lost by his actions? I have purchased 4 RICS in the past year and have another on order. Guess where I DIDN'T buy them?

That's one reason I like Mesa Boogie's policy. Sell at MSRP or lose being a dealer.....period. If more, or all, Ric dealers behaved like this I would think it would cease being a "non-issue".

Hmmmm......maybe PM Blues will get all 300 of the Anniversary models and sell 'em for $30K each.

Then his kids can go to Princeton...

Well,

I guess this is where the allocation of the guitars is a good thing. Yeah, he'll probably get a few, but I'm glad RIC is distributing them fairly. It prevents those FEW dealers who would grab them all up and hoard them for years.

As hard as it is to get a Ric these days, I am surprised that more dealers do not sell at the MSRP or even a higher level.

IMHO, that would be a great way to bring the backlog under control.

I think that would knock a lot of buyers out of the game.

Bottom line is shop where you trust. If the dealer seems to be a little ridiculous, then JH is right, go somewhere else.

"That's one reason I like Mesa Boogie's policy. Sell at MSRP or lose being a dealer."

That is illegal, it's called price fixing.

"That is illegal, it's called price fixing."

Ummmm, no it isn't. Price fixing is when competing stores get together and set a price on a product. Mesa has a no discount policy on their own products.....big difference.

Here's a definition form a quick Google search.....

"Most state statutes provide that fixing the price of a product or service in agreement with another individual or business is illegal. The general rule provides that a vendor may not in combination with another vendor agree to set a certain price thereby creating a fixed price within a certain market. A business acting on its own and not in concert with another may use legitimate efforts to obtain the best price they can, including their ability to raise prices to the detriment of the general public. Also, conformity of prices within a given product is not illegal unless such conformity was created by a combination of vendors agreeing on a set price. For example, where competitors agree to sell their goods or services at a specified price, minimum price or maximum price and they receive profits from such an agreement, they are in violation of price fixing. Additionally, setting a price to be charged only within a certain area in order to get rid of competition or to create a monopoly is generally illegal under most state laws. A majority of states have also enacted a "Below-Sales-Cost" law wherein businesses may not sell goods below cost if they do so with anti-competitive intent or effect."

Brian - thought you might be interested in this template at the RIC factory:

Yeah, that's pretty cool....thanks Steve!

Look into selling at MSRP and McIntosh's experience. AFAIN that law is still on the books.

Trying to figure out how to post pictures here - For your enjoyment, meet my Lemmy...