Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I thought this would be the right place to ask- there seems to be a lot more (than usual) Ric basses on ebay for sale "new" by private sellers, who do not mention that they are not authorized dealers, and therefore the warrantee and warrantee card is void.

This leads me to wondering that they all look nice, and are usually priced from $1650 to $2100. I consider- how were all these guitars allowed to get away from Ric dealers, to be sold on a secondary market? So then, whether new, or not really new; why are there suddenly so many showing up for sale on ebay, away from Ric dealers?

Might there be anything major to be aware of with a deal like this? (Other than a price discount due to no warrantee?)

Thank you,
Craig

Some of the "big box" places such as Musician's friend have sales, often selling them for $1200-$1400 or so. People buy a few and then resell them on ebay for a few hundred more...

If a buyer knows who the big Rick online dealers are, and takes the time to get a price quote, one can often find a new Rick instrument with warranty selling for less from a dealer than a resold one.

The fact that Rick instruments sell w/out warranty in nearly new condition for more than a dealer's discounted price can be attributed to lazy, ignorant or impatient buyers. The quick purchase -- instant gratification -- is what the ebay BIN is all about.

Sometimes the particular finish color or instrument is not immediately available from Rick online dealers. so that's a different story for someone who has to have it now.

If a buyer knows who the big Rick online dealers are, and takes the time to get a price quote, one can often find a new Rick instrument with warranty selling for less from a dealer than a resold one

Wow, thanks. It appears that my favorite finish, mapleglow is in the majority of the "new" basses, now to get to the source...

Craig

Wildwood was selling 'em for around $1400 a couple of weeks ago, might still be...
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electric ... backer.htm

My understanding is that the big business for those "unofficial rick dealers" is with foreign buyers, who are (usually) not allowed to buy online from North American dealers due to the RIC policy, which I do not want to question.
I know it sounds non-sense for American customers the fact that those ebay bargains are there selling second-hand-but-new bass for 1800/2000 $ when you can have one with valid RIC warrantee for less. But when you live in Europe or somewhere else than North America and you have to buy a Rickenbacker bass from a regular dealer that sells the item (if you are so lucky that they have one available) for "only" 2000 euro (2500USD), you may start doing some calculations....

rickinroma wrote:My understanding is that the big business for those "unofficial rick dealers" is with foreign buyers, who are (usually) not allowed to buy online from North American dealers due to the RIC policy, which I do not want to question.
I know it sounds non-sense for American customers the fact that those ebay bargains are there selling second-hand-but-new bass for 1800/2000 $ when you can have one with valid RIC warrantee for less. But when you live in Europe or somewhere else than North America and you have to buy a Rickenbacker bass from a regular dealer that sells the item (if you are so lucky that they have one available) for "only" 2000 euro (2500USD), you may start doing some calculations....

Yep... I would even add, thank God for these eBay fly by night dealers!

In Australia, these are the only source of Ricks. Unless you are interested to pay two time as much and wait 4 years by purchasing through the asian distributor. I cannot say I give much of a toss about a warranty at this price difference!

Colonel Sanders wrote:

rickinroma wrote:My understanding is that the big business for those "unofficial rick dealers" is with foreign buyers, who are (usually) not allowed to buy online from North American dealers due to the RIC policy, which I do not want to question.
I know it sounds non-sense for American customers the fact that those ebay bargains are there selling second-hand-but-new bass for 1800/2000 $ when you can have one with valid RIC warrantee for less. But when you live in Europe or somewhere else than North America and you have to buy a Rickenbacker bass from a regular dealer that sells the item (if you are so lucky that they have one available) for "only" 2000 euro (2500USD), you may start doing some calculations....

Yep... I would even add, thank God for these eBay fly by night dealers!

In Australia, these are the only source of Ricks. Unless you are interested to pay two time as much and wait 4 years by purchasing through the asian distributor. I cannot say I give much of a toss about a warranty at this price difference!

Agreed.
Then again, Ricks are quite reliable, it's not a big gamble buying one without warranty.

wim wrote:... Then again, Ricks are quite reliable, it's not a big gamble buying one without warranty.

Plus, there's this Forum, where experts will help out a person with his/her instrument's problems.

Plus, there's this Forum, where experts will help out a person with his/her instrument's problems.

And not only that, but much help in all areas. This is a great place to get the good experience and assistance from the knowledgeable players.