I got screwed royally by a well known Rickenbacker dealer.

[jwinstonp]

I bought my first rickenbacker in 2001. A nice midnight blue 620. This was a different guitar for me as I was always used to gibson and fender. But I immediately fell in love. It was my #1 guitar instantly and I loved every ounce of it. That rick smell always got me everytime I opened the case. I don't normally wipe down guitars after playing but this one I did. I soon found myself in new york. I was recording and gigging and starting a nice little music carreer. I was there when september 11th happened. I played CBGB's like the day after. On my strap I had a pin of the red white and blue. It was a tough time but my guitar of choice was my rickenbacker. It was my first ever and I loved every ounce of it. It remained my #1 guitar until recently. This guitar had so much sentimenatal value and had been through a couple historical events Sept. 11 and CBGBs which is now closed. It was used extensively in the studio and several tracks ended up getting some nice radioplay. So for me this was my most important instrument.

I had always wanted to get another rickenbacker 620 but I wanted something special. I wanted one in light blue. I wanted light blue like fenders sonic blue. I liked this color because I had several fenders in this color and I just always liked it.

Finally I found out that blueboy was happening and I searched everywhere and I talked to many rick dealers and I just couldn't get one of these. Noone had them. It was the color of the year for 2004 but yet dealers were still waiting 2 years later for their orders. I was put on the list from several places waiting for their order from rickenbacker.

I got a call from one of these dealers and I was told they had 2 620's coming in and that I could buy one. I was so excited. I told them absolutely. I want it. Put me down for this guitar. I will buy it no matter what. They were supposed to recieve the guitar within a month. I called a few times and was assured "no problem" "its yours". I patiently waited. A month went by. Then another. My calls started not getting returned. Then eventually I got through to the dealer and was told that they were SOLD!

I was devastated at this point I had been trying for roughly 2 years to find one of these. I was assured that one was mine, I was assured that I was getting this guitar.

This screwed with me bad. I was so bummed out that I decided to just keep checking ebay and other forums etc. I contacted Rickenbacker who were of absolutely no help. The only thing they told me was that they were still producing these for dealers and that even though it was a COY from 2004 they were going to finish making them until all orders were filled even though it was now getting to 2 1/2 years later.

Eventually i just gave up. I saw every possible model on ebay come and go with no blueboy. All this "carrot dangling from dealers" made me almost obsessed with having this guitar more than any other. I saw the more "rare" 620's come and go without even blinking because I was now on a "mission". I saw 2 silver, I missed out on a 75 anniversary 620 because I just didn't care, multiple desert golds came and went, Bluebursts one here and one there.

Finally conceding defeat I contacting rickenbacker 1 more time. They gave me some specs to let me know that the blueboy wasn't all that rare that they made quite a few and that there were others that were much more rare. They told me of a dealer that was getting a few of these so I called this dealer to only be told the opposite that they were not getting any.

I finally saw the truth. And one dealer accidentally admitted to the truth when I confronted him on my issues with getting a rickenbacker. Dealers were all hoarding these guitars and not allowing consumers to buy them. It wasn't that they were so rare. It was that they were exporting them for Big $$$ to other countries outside the USA(mainly Japan). Leaving an american made guitar nearly impossible for an american to own. Many dealers were not even opening up their orders once recieved they would just store them away for about a year so they could appreciate in value and then they would export them for Top $$$.

This ended my search for good. I had enough.

I was also slowing down and starting a family and I decided that the music industry was just not stable anymore so i started treating it more as a hobby and for fun and starting working a job.

Then out of nowhere. I get a call from the same dealer that I had been dealing with. The same dealer that 6 months earlier promised within weeks I would own a 620 bluesboy. This dealer called and said Rickenbacker had an extra 620 blueboy that they were sending them and that it was to arrive within a week. I was asked if I was interested????????? Absolutely. I wasn't going to let this one slip by. I was short on cash at the time but I said yes its mine, I absolutely want it no question. He agreed and said that he would call me when it arrived and assured me that I would not get "screwed" that the past situation was just a fluke, a mistake, etc. I was so excited but yet stressed because I didn't have the money for it. I had to sell something to pay for this rick that I had tried for nearly 3 years to own. The only thing I could move quickly was my #1 2001 rickenbacker 620 in midnight blue. I regrettably sold this guitar for $950 on ebay. I needed $1100 for the blueboy. I borrowed a few bucks from my parents. I scraped all the money together to finally get this guitar that I had now put so much effort to get. A week goes by, no phone call. I call and get no response again. Another week goes by. Again no return call. This dealer is not a store from what I can tell. 99% of the time you get his answering machine. So message after message after message and no return. I did get him on the phone one time after numerous calls and was basically blown off and hung up on.

So here I am I have zero rickenbackers.

I lost my prized most sentimental instrument. A guitar I thought I would never sell, A guitar I thought I would give to my kids. I foolish got obsessed and sucked into the chase of getting this rickenbacker and lost sight and sold something I didn't want to sell. I regret my choices in this situation but feel that being strung along by a stupid dealer just fueld my foolish decisions.

I am a huge fan of rickenbacker. I feel like the company is a great company and building great guitars just like they did 75 years ago. However I don't think they are doing much to help consumers like myself. I am 100% sure they are aware of their dealers and what their dealers are doing. I don't think they put any effort into hindering the price gouging and the exportation which is preventing americans from owning one of the great american guitars. I wish rickenbacker would find some solutions as I see it getting worse everyday. Dealers popping up on ebay with brand new rickenbackers for 3 times their list prices. Its getting silly. If it keeps going in this direction only those with big wallets will be able to own a rickenbacker. The rickenbacker will be a guitar that is unobtainable.

Obviously the value of the dollar plays into all of this.

Its all a bummer.

I sincerely hope I one day get lucky and come accoss a really special rickenbacker. A new rickenbacker that I can create new memories with and eventually leave for my kids with a nice "story" attached. A blueboy 620 would be icing on the cake but I won't hold my breath!

Goodluck to everyone that is a fan of the rickenbacker guitars, be careful as its becoming a shady little business for many. sorry for the length.

I am glad to be a new member of this site.

[jwinstonp]

PS. I didn't name the dealer because I undersand that it would be a violation of forum rules. I am not looking for vengeance against the dealer I am not that type of person. I am just relaying my story in hopes of preventing others from being wrongly treated by a dealer. Just be smart everyone.

[ozover50]

Man, Peter..... that's one hell of a sad tale!! I'm so sorry to hear that you sold a prized possession with the promise of another and was let down so cruelly.

It may not be any consolation but a number of forum members were screwed by a 'reputable' dealer when the 75th 4003DCM basses were shipped.

Hang in there, mate......... hopefully one will turn up sooner rather than later. We'll all keep our eyes peeled for you!!

[sir_andrew_of_left_coast]

... I missed out on a 75 anniversary 620 because I just didn't care...

[jwinstonp]

Yeah its an awful story but I didn't think at all about the 75th anniversary model. I didn't like the color personally. I called a dealer and he said no blue boy but I do have a 620 in dark cherry metallic. I said no thanks I am not really into red guitars I am not a collector just a guitar player so it had no significance to me. And to be honest it still doesn't. Its a cool guitar but one that I wouldn't play I would just tuck it under the bed and I am just not that kind of guitar player. I don't like to collect I like to play. It also might have been a 660 not a 620.

[jwinstonp]

Howard thanks for the response. I am sure my story is one among othes.

And thank you for keeping your eyes peeled for a rick for me.

[johneek]

... I missed out on a 75 anniversary 620 because I just didn't care...

I'm guessing Peter meant a 660 since there were no 75th 620 DCMs...

What a horrid tale. You didn't mention the name of the dealer, but I can assure you that there are plenty of RIC dealers around that have all of their integrity intact. I would be happy to send you the names of my favorites if you want to contact me via email. Others may want to chime in too.

[jimk]

Ouch! Man, not only is that a sad story, but the behavior of The Dealer Who Must Not Be Named borders on unethical, IMHO. Best wishes for '08.

JimK

[ric330]

Man, Peter that is a terrible story. After reading that - If I had a Blue Boy I give it to you. I understand the family thing and sacrifices being made and looking out for what you think is the right direction to go in life for your family - but to lose your other Rick in the process of your dream guitar and have neither..Oh man... that is just aweful.

I too can't afford to collect guitars and have to usually sell something to get another guitar and it's always a sacrifice. But what happened to you is just too much. I really sorry to hear about this. The Rickenbacker Company I understand remains reasonably small comparitively to other companies selling guitars and has created a backlog which probably set this whole thing in motion due to the demand for their product. I'm glad that Rickenbacker has not sold out to other countries to make their guitars and keeps it at home and yes regretfully we will have to pay more for our Ricks now but they are really fine instruments and will maintain their value.

I see the same thing happening on ebay too but there are actually some of us selling some of our own Ricks at reasonable prices to get another Rick or more expensive Rick we dream of owning. I am so disappointed to hear what happen to you but as stated there are very reputable dealers for Rickenbacker and Many are expecting some fine guitars. Don't give up. Just hang around here and get some great dealer names that take reserve commitment responsibly and treat their Customers with respect. It's a tough deal to have to wait for a great guitar but it shouldn't end the way you have experienced.

I hope the best for you and your family this New Year and only hope you dream may be realized.

[sloop_john_b]

Did you put money down on either 620 Blue Boy?

[aceonbass]

There was at least one 620 finished in dark cherry metalic. My wife and I saw and photographed it during the tour at RIC last year.
As far as the rant about Rickenbacker knowing about US dealers exporting Ricks and not doing anything about it goes....NOT TRUE! Earlier this year a European member over at RIC's corporate site mentioned buying a guitar from Sam Ash over the phone and having it shipped to him. John Hall suspended Sam Ash as a dealer for a short time and then got assurances that all of their employees would be brought up to speed on RIC's policy about exporting RIC's before it would be reinstated. As for having anything to do with trying to limit the price that dealers sometimes "gouge" customers for, that would be an illegal restiction of trade. As far as selling a cherished guitar to pay for another goes, like they say in Vegas, "never bet anything that you're not willing to lose".

[aceonbass]

Here are the two pics I took of the "620 DCM"

[jwilli]

Good eyes Dane!

[teb]

Certainly an unfortunate situation. Perhaps another option might be to eventually pick up a used 620 in decent shape (just about any color and it doesn't have to be mint) and make an appointment with Paul Wilczynski (official forum Curmudgeon) or Dale Fortune to have it converted to a blueboy. It's not an instant process as these guys are the best and in high demand and it's not cheap, but with new guitar prices climbing all the time it might not be that much more than buying new. It also would give you other interesting options, like crushed pearl fingerboard inlays, checkerboard binding, etc. These guys are true custom-shop craftsmen and could make you an absolutely stunning blueboy that will knock your socks off.

[jwinstonp]

... I missed out on a 75 anniversary 620 because I just didn't care...

I'm guessing Peter meant a 660 since there were no 75th 620 DCMs...

What a horrid tale. You didn't mention the name of the dealer, but I can assure you that there are plenty of RIC dealers around that have all of their integrity intact. I would be happy to send you the names of my favorites if you want to contact me via email. Others may want to chime in too.

I asked the dealer for a 620 bluesboy and he said no but I do have a 6 series 75th anniversary in red. I said no thank you. I don't like red. I was not part of a forum, just a player. I had no idea what 75th anniversary meant. I just thought YUCK red, no thank you. It was probably the 660.