Registration effects

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sat Jul 14, 2001 2:31 pm

I could be wrong-but it appears to be that the amount of postings has dramatically dropped off after the mandatory-registration-committee review-approval-password process.

Is this the intent? I came on to this forum not knowing nothing about my Ric (still don't) but I have learned from the likes of others. I read it everyday. I guess there are reasons why the registration is necessary but it sure seems lonely now...

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Sat Jul 14, 2001 3:17 pm

I would agree, Jared. My addiction to this page has partly been due to the regular postings, nearly all of which I find interesting. Something bad must have either happened or was anticipated I guess. I suppose some regulars may be on vacation? I notice that postings carry full names. I typically post as J. Phelps and my wife gives me hell because she doesn't think I should post my name anywhere. As a rule, I don't. But this forum seems to be visited by "normal" people. Whacks have no interests or reasons for visiting here. I could see the requirement (if this is true) of leaving your full name and IP as a deterrent to posting. So I guess I too, am disappointed to some extent.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Jul 14, 2001 3:18 pm

Jared: The intent of the registration process has been to add legitimacy to posts by allowing for the identification the person and the source of the comments made on The Rickenbacker Forum. The "team" is working to register visitors as quickly as possible. The goals of the Forum have not changed - to learn as much about Rickenbackers as possible through a dialogue with interested parties.

4003seagreen · Post by **4003seagreen** » Sat Jul 14, 2001 4:04 pm

I'm all for the registration, but I'm not sure about the "legitamacy" issue. It seemed to me that this board had the least amount of troll-type posters. I thought the posts here were pretty legitimate anyway...

Regardless, I've learned a lot from this board, I will continue to lurk/post. Thanks Peter for having this forum!

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Jul 14, 2001 4:15 pm

4003 Seagreen: I would agree that this Forum has had the good fortune of having great visitors. It has not been without its difficulties, however, and registering from the front end, while not a guarantee of a trouble free environment, is at least some safe guard and reduces the risk of nuisance or inappropriate postings having to be yanked after "the damage has been done." As always thanks for you comments.

justonwo · Post by **justonwo** » Sat Jul 14, 2001 11:43 pm

If I can just answer people's questions directly here, John Hall was greatly distressed by my posting a couple of weeks ago in which I complained about Rickenbacker's customer service. Things escalated . . . you have obviously noticed the results. I apologize if I have had a negative impact on the board. I agree that it's a great place to learn about Rickenbackers. However, I felt my complaint was perfectly legitimate and entirely factual. Others may disagree.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 1:43 am

Juston: The need for registration has been an issue that has been contemplated on several occasions over the past year. Many Forums use registration as a requirement for posting so The Rickenbacker Forum is not breaking new ground here. The recent change was not carried out for the purpose of making comment about your situation.

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 3:25 am

I don't mean for this post to be over-kill and super redundant, but in defense of RIC, I can understand to an extent how there could be lapses in customer service when dealing with product end-users. While poor customer service is never acceptable, my limited knowledge of RIC as a company gives me the perception that they are not set up, nor intend to be set up, to deal with individual customer dilemmas. That is what the dealer that sold the guitar is for. They have the relationship with RIC, and they should deal directly with and solve problems and complaints. For used equipment, it would be nice if RIC could be more helpful, since it is difficult to find local, knowledgable service people. Especially when cost of repair is not a concern. Last year I sent an e-mail to RIC service about totally re-finishing and re-setting up my 1966 335. I received an immediate (within an hour!!!!!) reply that they could not, but hoped that someday they could offer this service, as they were currently too busy getting out new product. I found this acceptable and was thrilled to receive such a prompt reply. I find most fault with dealers. If they can help with the smallest problem, they usually don't want to or are incompetent. Unless you hang out all day and play Metallica, or have spent thousands in their store (or, you want to look at a "Ricky"?-- can I show you a Fender?)they have no use for you. Walk in wearing a suit like me and forget about it. Loser! Sometimes the smaller the shop the better, but they tend not to sell wider lines of product. Dealers --GET WITH IT!!!

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 11:57 am

You have to admit, when you deal with RIC's Customer Service it's nice to often have the CEO reply back with the response to your query.

justonwo · Post by **justonwo** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 10:57 pm

I'm sure Ric has offered many people great customer service. That's just fine for those people. I'm glad that many people receive responses in less than an hour. That wasn't MY experience. I had an exceptionally negative experience in which I think I was justified in posting a complaint. Now, I wasn't suggesting that we declare war on Rickenbacker or protest outside their facility; I was merely posting a simple complaint about a bad experience. This is the type of thing that thousands of businesses deal with on a daily basis, and the typical response is to try and make the customer happy. Unfortunately for me, my complaint was interpreted as defamation and I was subsequently denied *further* customer service.

If Rickenbacker is going to offer service under warranty, then they should be fully willing to provide that service. If they are understaffed, then perhaps they should rethink their policies. I'm sure every company makes mistakes, but I guarantee you wouldn't be so enthuisiastic about said company's customer service if you were the one that "slipped through the cracks."

Personally, I think it's silly for certain individuals to comb through the forum filtering out any negative comments about Rickenbacker. That time might be better spent making sure guitars aren't sent back to customers without having been worked on.

I'm sorry for stepping on so many toes, but I truly feel I was treated terribly and I don't like my negative experience being glossed over. Realizing this issue has been rehashed to death, this is my final comment on the subject. Let's just get the forum back to its pleasant old self.

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 2:55 pm

Justin, I agree with you 100%. It does stink to be one of a few who may slip through the cracks. You know, RIC really ought to send you a sticker or t-shirt or something, since they are still aware of your experience. Back to normal and Rick on!!

bails · Post by **bails** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 6:36 pm

Are negative comments about Rickenbacker considered inappropriate in this forum? The issue seems more related to the idea of making negative comments, rather than the specifics of this particular instance. If any of us have something negative to say about anything related to Rickenbackers, should we keep quiet or are we allowed to speak our minds. As a famous philosopher said (and I can't remember his name), "He who only knows one side of the whole story, actually knows nothing of the story"

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jul 17, 2001 12:44 am

Onionbails: Thanks for your comment. There are pros and cons to most aspects of life. That which one person finds to be a positive factor may be perceived by another as a less desirable or negative comment. There are many examples of persons critiquing aspects of Rickenbacker instruments in this Forum. It certainly is not the goal of The Rickenbacker Forum to talk only about "All Things Beautiful." There have been several occasions in the past when posts have been deleted for a number of reasons. The manner in which controversies are presented is certainly a factor in whether a post is allowed to remain. The focus here, however, is on Rickenbacker instruments rather than on differences of opinion per se. I would expect that folks would speak their minds. Finally it is important to realize that this forum is the unofficial word of those Rickenbacker enthusiasts who participate.Quote:The only Official statement on Rickenbacker instruments, policy and service is at Rickenbacker International Corporation -Santa Ana, California.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Tue Jul 17, 2001 6:54 am

I want to encourage EVERYONE that comes to this forum to PLEASE .....SPEAK YOUR MIND!!!!!

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Tue Jul 17, 2001 9:18 am

Mark Bailey -- Just wanted to say that I think "onionbails" is a cool name. Every time I see it I think "onionballs", and pearled onions (the little onion balls) are my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. Sorry this is not on topic!