Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Olivia's Vintage sells LOTS of Rickenbacker instruments on their website and on eBay - most of them are preowned used ones, but occasionally there are new ones.

As a caution to my fellow forumites, please note that since they are not an authorized RIC dealer, an instrument that is sold and described as "new" and "you will be the first owner" will not be eligible for warranty protection, and will not include a warranty registration card. There is no mention of this in their ads.

Not sure where they get them, but three "new" 2011 325C64's were sold last week, one to a friend of mine.

Just so you don't find out about this the hard way - your "new, unused, unopened" guitar will not be covered by the RIC warranty if it comes from Olivia's.

I thought this was common knowledge, but maybe not. Unlike certain other 'dealers' we know Olivia's Vintage dosen't actually claim that the guitars come with a Warranty. If you're not buying from an authorized dealer then there's not gonna be a Warranty, for guitars or anything else.

I have never really thought about it, since most of the guitars they sell are clearly used regardless of condition... most of the ones I have looked at. Thanks for the tip, though.

They sell new ones? Okay, only look at their listings to see 2nd hands, though...

The fact they bought a guitar from an authorised means they're second hand when Olivia sells them, no matter what they look like.

The original post was strictly FYI - Olivia's has a fine reputation and has addressed my friend's issue quickly and efficiently.
They are obviously great people to deal with, as their feedback suggests. And they move a lot of Ricks.

Although most of us who read the Ric forums know that the warranty is only available to guitars purchased from an authorized Ric dealer, it can be confusing to someone new that a purchase off eBay from a reputable seller such as Olivia's would not be covered since it was advertised as "new". Olivia's has a great reputation for the quality of there guitars, but maybe they should mention this fact in there listings that they term as "new" just to avoid any misunderstandings.

Thanks for the info Bob!

stringsncords wrote:Olivia's has a fine reputation and has addressed my friend's issue quickly and efficiently.

Nobody's putting that in question, Bob.
I've been in contact with them at least a dozen times about items they list on the 'Bay and they're really nice, friendly and offer great service.

But it's also a fact that if they list items as new, like e.g. Rickysounds does as well, when they're not authorised dealer, then the items will legally be 2nd hand as they got, as first owner, the items from an authorised source.

Listing an item as new when it's not true is deception, which seems to be contrary to the law in about any country.
As Rich wrote, one can't expect every possible buyer to know the marketplace like we do!

Olivia's describes "new" items in their own terms as "mint and unplayed." They also select the eBay category of "new" for some of their products that are mint and unplayed. On eBay, here is what it takes for an item to be listed as "new":

New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details.

I don't believe OV is representing itself as a dealer or that these instruments are sold with a RIC warranty. Judging by their buyer feedback record, if OV describes an instrument as mint and unplayed, that is probably what it is. If an instrument is listed in the eBay category of "new," it probably fits the description above.

No affiliation here. Like many others, I have had dealings with OV and found them to be service-oriented, very meticulous in describing their instruments and easy to work with. I have also noticed when any ebay seller advertises a RIck as "new with warranty," that ad will get pulled because licensed RIC dealers are not allowed to sell factory new Ricks (with warranty) on ebay.

If you get a good deal or buy an otherwise hard to find guitar, does the warranty really matter? What can go wrong in 5 years that is covered by the warranty? A defect in a guitar i think should by readily apparent and I presume you can send it back to the seller if the guitar you are sent is bad. But other than breaking black metal and tail lift, which occur outside the warranty period, what is likely to go wrong with a Rickenbacker that would be covered by the warranty?

libratune wrote:New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details.

Still the wrong category, they ought to use this one:

New other (see details)

A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing its original packaging, or the original packaging has been opened or is no longer sealed. The item may be a factory second, or a new and unused item with minor defects. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

stringsncords wrote: They are obviously great people to deal with, as their feedback suggests. And they move a lot of Ricks.

Great people they are , indeed ! I dealt with Joseph Deas and it all went smooth and professionally. We all know that they are not authorized, I think they should be! Will do again when money is right ....

Wildberry wrote:

libratune wrote:New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details.

Still the wrong category, they ought to use this one:

New other (see details)

A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing its original packaging, or the original packaging has been opened or is no longer sealed. The item may be a factory second, or a new and unused item with minor defects. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

I think that the category that they do use (NEW) better desribes what they do offer in such a situation. Everything is present excpt the warranty, and they make no claims of offering one.

These guys are straight-shooters and real pros; a pleasure to deal with. I used to be amused at their prices until I realized the quality of their stock and that they are open to negotiate. It's not their style to misrepresent or play fast and loose with their listings.

DISCLOSURE: They have had several of my acoustics for sale.

I guess I may be used to european situations - german private sellers even list "no warranty" on used items. Buyer protection's been heavily codified over here! Usually there's even some warranty on 2nd hand goods, especially if sold by a commercial seller.

jingle_jangle wrote:I used to be amused at their prices until I realized the quality of their stock and that they are open to negotiate.

Paul, I think we all agree on the service and items for offer being great. In fact, they're the only seller I got saved on eBay!

Barring the warrenties, I think they alarminly overprice thier instruments, I fall out of my chair laughing everytime I one of thier listings then look at the asking price.lol

My Ric came from Olivia's, I asked about a negiotiation on price and they were nice enough to contact me over the phone to work something out. They take fantastic pictures too and have a nice showcase on their website.