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An issue with Rickenbacker
- Thread starter jazzman64
- Start date
John Hall is
John Hall is not known to be fond of facts, hence his temperament online.
Beware that the sticker is severely devalued by removing the bass from it.
Social media platforms are privately owned. Ric's page is not their page, and Facebook etc has every right to censor you if they please, being privately owned. None of this is big brother. If you throw a fit at McDonalds because your fries aren't crispy and they ban you from the place it's not Big Brother censorship. You can't whine about Facebook censoring people and turn around and say it's OK if Rick bans you from their page because you stickered your 4004. Social media platforms don't owe you freedom of speech the same way that if you don't want me in your private business you're free to kick me out. No shirt no shoes (no mask) no service.
Kinda like this place when posts slip slide towards those slippery slopes that cause them to be locked…Rules, etc….
Why do people put up with companies like this? Same reason I'd never buy a single string from music man and Sterling Ball and their horrible replacement part policy. I'd rather spend money with companies that respect their customers.
Not on Instagram... bout a year or so ago, tried emailing Ric regarding truss rod replacement for my 4001.
In the immortal words of Phil Collins, no reply... at all. IIRC, no error from email protocol stating an invalid address.
So, I called.
Rep I spoke to, who obviously wasn't Hall and Grotes, was super informative and even directed me to a Mom and Pop guitar shop in Georgia who fabricates the rods, for way less than I'd pay if I had ordered them, from across the pond. I asked about the email, and he said it was old and no longer used for communication.
My first thought was why not update the site to reflect a better contact? After reading this thread, regarding the disposal of open communication, and possibly solutions on their part, I'd say their practice really cuts down on the overhead requirements for customer service.
I smell profits, at the expense of, 'Let'em eat cake'.
In the immortal words of Phil Collins, no reply... at all. IIRC, no error from email protocol stating an invalid address.
So, I called.
Rep I spoke to, who obviously wasn't Hall and Grotes, was super informative and even directed me to a Mom and Pop guitar shop in Georgia who fabricates the rods, for way less than I'd pay if I had ordered them, from across the pond. I asked about the email, and he said it was old and no longer used for communication.
My first thought was why not update the site to reflect a better contact? After reading this thread, regarding the disposal of open communication, and possibly solutions on their part, I'd say their practice really cuts down on the overhead requirements for customer service.
I smell profits, at the expense of, 'Let'em eat cake'.
Why am I not surprised? I am by no means new to playing bass, or Rickenbackers, but I continue to learn new things about the company. And not good things. Sounds like the excessive hubris and arrogance did not leave the company when John Hall retired - it's obviously part of their business culture.
i love my ric, but hate all these stories of them being jerks. mean and combative is no way to treat customers
I believe it’s from the Faulty Towers school of business.
It's amazing they actually take the time to block people on social media. Meanwhile they can't even update their own website! It is sooo old and out of date. If you look in the news section, the past post was from 2014!
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i will look into owning a rick once more after john hall has passed.
RIC is a garbage company that peddles terribly made instruments. After my 4th new bass with a warped neck (I know, I know, fool me once..), I’m done with them. Being blocked by them on any of their social media would be a badge of honor.
Baiting their fanbois on RRF was good for a laugh back in the day. Haven't visited RRF for quite some time. FB and Insta seem to be their haunts now.
Sometimes I just ban myself from stuff, saves time...
Seems like owning a Ric is the bass equivalent of suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.
No one has as more disdain for Rickenbacker than us Ric fans 
...Well, aside maybe from guitar techs. There are several repair shops in my city that won't touch them. Apparently working with the company to get parts or any support at all is a hair-pulling experience. I had to go to at least 3 dedicated repair shops before I found some older guys that know how to work on them and know how to navigate the company's... complexities.
Unfortunately, nothing else sounds or plays quite like them, though you can get close.
...Well, aside maybe from guitar techs. There are several repair shops in my city that won't touch them. Apparently working with the company to get parts or any support at all is a hair-pulling experience. I had to go to at least 3 dedicated repair shops before I found some older guys that know how to work on them and know how to navigate the company's... complexities.
Unfortunately, nothing else sounds or plays quite like them, though you can get close.
Amazing customer service/ social media skills. I’ve bought three brand new I won’t buy another.
