Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Chuck, its a long story involving a few forumites that had their DCM anniversary orders "mysteriously" vanish after CME discovered their instant resale value.

Resulting in a "boycott" of CME.

Deal with them if you wish,,,but buyer beware.

I didn't know that about CME.

Holy Cow... Anyone just "happen" to have a spare set of closed back Grovers gathering dust...?

I'm kidding. They now average at least $200 a set. Sure would look better than the mismatched Schallers on my Burgundyglo '72 4001.

So it's back to Craigslist to continue the job search...

Yes Chuck and Robert. ALL FOUR of us forumites that ordered a 75th Anny 4003 and paid full retail up front were denied the instruments when delivery time came. And that's just this one story. I've heard many other stories of mis-dealings involving the CME as well.

They don't deserve your business, Chuck. If you think it looks overpriced over the internet, wait 'till you see it in person!

"Shark-cago Music Exchange" is how I've heard a few folks refer to that place. There also seems to be a honesty issue when it comes to the authenticity of vintage instruments that have been advertised as "original". One involved a '61 Strat that once belonged to me that ended up at CME when my buyer sold it. I owned that guitar for 16 years and played the snot outta it; so much so that it needed bridge saddles (I still have the originals here), a refret, a new nut, a changed pot volume pot, a rewind of the middle pup and a custom made mint guard to accomodate the odd screw placement found on '61s.

The guy who bought it from me spent a few coins buying period correct parts and made the fact known that the guitar was NOT original. A week later it showed on the webpage listed as "100% original". When CME was called out on it, they told the former owner, "Do YOU own this guitar anymore? I didn't think so. Mind your own damned business!" *click*. True story.........

Understand that Jeff, Ted, Marc, and (I forgot the fourth, sorry), got their money back, but were misled by CME and were skunked out of getting the DCM. It's still not clear (to me) that CME actually got more than their allotment (2) and were/were not hedging their bets that they could get more. If they did get more than two, they reneged on the Forumites who paid up front, and possibly sold them for many more $$$ to others who would/could pay more. That's nasty. If they got only two, and promised to get more than they could, then that's stupid. In either case, CME comes out the stinker.

If they got only two, and promised to get more than they could, then that's stupid.

If CME took money for six basses fully knowing they would only be alloted two, wouldn't that amount to interstate fraud of some kind?

No, sadly I don't think so, they could assert that they intended to draw two from six, and since they refunded the others I'd say technically there was no wrongdoing.

The fact that they didn't actually mention this minor point to anyone, and held full price deposits for almost a year is a different matter..

Morally they're behavior was unconcionable

Dave Pascoe was the 4th forumite that the CME skunked, Paul.

Thanks for posting the story, Mike. I think every time I mention the CME on an internet forum, I hear a new one.

Jeff, Ted, Mark, and Dave:
Have you all been able to get a 4003DCM or do you still want one?
That whole deal you guys went through stunk.

I just bought one from a forumite last month or so, but I checked with Lars to see if he wanted it. He had been done out of his as well.
He graciously declined...so I snagged it.

My pleasure, Jeff. It's in the best interest of the community as a whole to relay these types of stories.

Interesting Mike. More people need to be made aware of CME's "questionable" tactics.

this is another 1964...DE 567 in "Player" magazine.
There are 143 maple-glo 4001 with Horse-shoe in Ric log, and only 9 for 1964.

Now that really is something interesting! I had no idea the numbers were that low.

That is a famous question, mine is DK578...even this DE has 567 number!!
Maybe some kind of Tax issues...