Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I eventually got a Toaster and Horseshoe ordered for my 78 4001 and can't wait for them to come in.

I love Rickenbacker products, but I had the strangest experience trying to order them. On Rickenbacker's boutique page, I was checking out when I got a message saying my address in Tennessee couldn't be verified for payment. Well, I called Rickenbacker, and this was the exchange.

"Hi. I'm online in the boutique, and I'm trying to order a set of pickups for my 4001. Checkout won't offer me any payment options."

"Yeah. It's probably because you're trying to order too much. If it's over X amount (he named it), you can't order."

"But I'm ordering a set of pickups and they're $50 over that amount. Do you mean that I can't order a set."

"You can't. We had people buying a lot of stuff on line and then selling it above cost."

"Well can I order them from you by phone?"

"No. We're not set up for that."

"So what if I order the pickups online in two separate orders?"

"I don't know. It might work. I guess you could try it. Call us back if it doesn't work."

I thanked him because it was nice of him to tell me to call back. I had to pay twice the shipping by splitting it in two orders, but what the hell. At least I'm not paying above the MSRP. I saw one on eBay today, a new one, for $400+.

I guess they really are still a mom and pop business. Maybe it's a good sign; perhaps they're too busy building guitars to be worried about selling parts in their online boutique.

BTW Thanks to those of you who turned me on to these pickups. I'm one step closer to the Macca tone I love.

The bigger issue with people buying parts and then reselling them (without being a dealer) is that people were hoarding things like toaster pickups, Accent vibratos and other items, depleting RIC's inventory and creating an artificial scarcity to then drive the price up on eBay.

So, that was the real culprit for awhile, mostly a couple years ago, though it would be eliminated if some of these items weren't made in such small batches that run out frequently.

It takes Rickenbacker forever to produce lefty guitars. And online retailers sell out almost immediately. I guess this says that lefty Rics are not going to be over produced, that Rickenbacker has more market control. And it works. I want a Rickenbacker 12-string (can't afford it now, but eventually), but I'll have to be prepared for a wait on a new one when I do buy.

I usually buy RIC parts from my favorite authorized dealer. The prices are the same and it helps the dealer stay in business.

I buy my parts form a local dealer that is less than the boutique pricing. It just takes a little longer.

The closest dealer to me is about 170 miles from where I live, and I'm not to keen on the shop in any case. I'd much rather buy from a local dealer, if there were one closer. I checked prices at a few online stores, and they seemed to be the same price. No other e-tailer I found had both pups in stock, so I went with the Ric Boutique.