NBD: Rickenbackers are overpriced.

[I am Soma]

I've spent $15 for jumbo bags of this fairly decent hot and spicy beef jerkey at Redners, but some of the seriously hot varieties on Amazon have some really crazy prices...for just a few ounces, too.

Anyway, didn't mean to derail the thread, so…

Beef jerky > fake rics

 

[Pirate Captain]

Oops! <fine>. Thanks for catching that.

I thought it was funny (and accurate) ;P

 

[Skybone]

How much is a flight to the US for you? I bet you could fly over, buy your bass and bring it home, and still save money. It's not like you would lose the non existent warranty that RIC doesn't offer off shore buyers.
Fishheadjoe

It would actually be cheaper to buy one from the US, get it shipped over, and pay the Import Duty. That would save me a tidy sum on what the official importer is charging.

Well, this would explain it:

See above. Yes, the importer has to make some profit on the goods they're importing & selling, and the Taxman needs to be paid... BUT there's a "reasonable" profit margin, and there's "taking the p!%%". We don't get massive discounting in stores either, because the distributor/importer polices their market vigorously, and if anyone is selling below RRP, their "struck off" the list of "approved dealers". For once, the Taxman isn't the culprit here! :O

if you aren't ashamed that it's a clone...change this

The OP did state in his post, that he was going to remove the Ric TRC and replace it with the original Ibanez one. The Ric TRC was put on by a previous owner.

 

[Axstar]

I’m no Bill Gates, but I never thought twice about what I paid for my Ric once I got it home.

That's the thing. If somebody is genuinely pleased with a new purchase then they shouldn't automatically be taking a dump on something similar. I sense that OP knows that deep down their bass just isn't a Rickenbacker, hence the weirdly antagonistic thread title.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

It would actually be cheaper to buy one from the US, get it shipped over, and pay the Import Duty. That would save me a tidy sum on what the official importer is charging.



See above. Yes, the importer has to make some profit on the goods they're importing & selling, and the Taxman needs to be paid... BUT there's a "reasonable" profit margin, and there's "taking the p!%%". We don't get massive discounting in stores either, because the distributor/importer polices their market vigorously, and if anyone is selling below RRP, their "struck off" the list of "approved dealers". For once, the Taxman isn't the culprit here! :O



The OP did state in his post, that he was going to remove the Ric TRC and replace it with the original Ibanez one. The Ric TRC was put on by a previous owner.

Are you sure? How much profit do the retailers make and is it fair and reasonable? What is the tax burden?

 

[Alex Huddleston]

While the 70's clones are nice, Rics definitely aren't overpriced and I've never understood the argument behind that.

Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? no.

Compare a Ric to what you get in the $1400-1600 range from any other bass manufacturer. From Fender, you can get an American Professional series bass. You can get a basic, single humbucker stingray from Musicman without even getting close to touching any of their cooler finishes or deluxe options. Companies like Ibanez, ESP and Jackson $1600 won't even get you out of their budget ranges. You won't even be able to look at any "boutique" companies like Sadowsky or Dingwall. Not only are you getting more features and unique character from a Ric than anything else you can get for the same price, but it will also retain its resale value.

 

[Skybone]

Are you sure? How much profit do the retailers make and is it fair and reasonable? What is the tax burden?

I did some rough calculations in Post #6, based on the exchange rate of £1 = $1.38 (as of 5th Feb 2018).

If you don't live on mainland North America, then unfortunately, Rickenbackers ARE overpriced.

Here's some maths that I posted elsewhere, based on current currency market exchange rates (Feb 2018):

In the UK, a 4003s is around £2300 new, a 4003 is around £2600 new, and a 4004 is around £2800 new, at current market rates £1 = $1.38.

Therefore, that is equivalent to $3174 for a 4003s, $3588 for a 4003, & $3864 for a 4004.

From the research I've done into the current US market pricing, I can pick up a 4003s for about $1500, a 4003 for about $1600-1700, and a 4004 for about $2000 (haven't seen that many TBH).

That would mean that, we in the UK are being overcharged by $1674 for a 4003s, $1888 for a 4003, and $1864 for a 4004. Bas(s)ically, you can buy 2 Ric's in the US for the price of 1 in the Non-US markets.

As much as I'd love to, I'll not be rushing out to buy a new Ric any time soon!!!

Now I appreciate that any business worth it's salt, is in business to make money. Overheads to pay taxes, wages, bills, rent/mortgage etc., a margin to expand the business, purchase other goods to resell, etc. That's how business works, and I'm fine with that. However, to run a "closed shop", where discounts are actively discouraged on threat of removing the dealership (I've spoken to a few dealerships who have told me this), and charge nearly double the going rate for something is, frankly, pure greed.

Import duties, for a private individual run at around 25-30%, including Taxes & Fee's.

That would mean I could buy a $1600 4003 bass from the US, pay $200 shipping, then pay 30% Tax, and still pay a significant amount LESS than the current retail price (about £900 or $1242). Where does that go???

 

[Skybone]

While the 70's clones are nice, Rics definitely aren't overpriced and I've never understood the argument behind that.

Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? no.

Compare a Ric to what you get in the $1400-1600 range from any other bass manufacturer. From Fender, you can get an American Professional series bass. You can get a basic, single humbucker stingray from Musicman without even getting close to touching any of their cooler finishes or deluxe options. Companies like Ibanez, ESP and Jackson $1600 won't even get you out of their budget ranges. You won't even be able to look at any "boutique" companies like Sadowsky or Dingwall. Not only are you getting more features and unique character from a Ric than anything else you can get for the same price, but it will also retain its resale value.

In the US, a Ric is $1400-$1600. However, outside the US, they are near double that, which makes them expensive.

I would love another 4003 someday, but the way it's going, I'll never be able to afford one.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

While the 70's clones are nice, Rics definitely aren't overpriced and I've never understood the argument behind that.

Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? no.

Compare a Ric to what you get in the $1400-1600 range from any other bass manufacturer. From Fender, you can get an American Professional series bass. You can get a basic, single humbucker stingray from Musicman without even getting close to touching any of their cooler finishes or deluxe options. Companies like Ibanez, ESP and Jackson $1600 won't even get you out of their budget ranges. You won't even be able to look at any "boutique" companies like Sadowsky or Dingwall. Not only are you getting more features and unique character from a Ric than anything else you can get for the same price, but it will also retain its resale value.

All this is true, if you get a good one! And that is true of other manufacturers as well, the difference being the OP is in Europe and would have no recourse with RIC, should he get a dog. Let's not even discuss any finish issues...
Fishheadjoe

 

[Skybone]

TBH, I've kind of hijacked the thread a little. I think the OP is in the US, however, I'm trying to illustrate that to some people (especially those outside of the US), a Faker is a more viable alternative to a proper Ric, as Ric's are no longer "affordable" instruments, but now reside in the same price bracket as "boutique" instruments.

In fact, I have been quoted less for a custom built bass, using exotic figured woods, than it would cost me to buy a brand new 4003. For some reason, I still want a Ric... go figure.

 

[byoung93888]

If you go to resell down the road a Ric will hold its value much better than most custom built basses and also be easier to sell.

 

[jamro217]

I thought it was funny (and accurate) ;P

It is, as well as one of the least controversial statements ever posted on TB.

 

[GIBrat51]

Are Rickenbackers over priced? Well, these 2 certainly were, IMO. But, it was a seller's market for leftys when I bought them; Rick had announced "No more Lefty anything - maybe forever" in 2006; and there's always been a Lefty Surcharge, any way... Even for a new one today. Other than that? IME, a new Rick isn't any more expensive than any other MIA production bass. I just paid $2300 for a new Gibson T-bird, in fact; a new lefty Rick would actually be a little less (except on eBay). But, I promise you; no one will wake you up in the middle of the night; stick a gun in your face; and make you buy a Rickenbacker. Or anything else, for that matter... As for your Ibanez clone? I'm glad you like it; play the snot out of it, and be happy. However.. notice that it was Ibanez trying to copy a Rick; not the other way around. When Rick makes a lefty clone of an SR5000, be sure to let me know...

 

[jamro217]

In the US, a Ric is $1400-$1600. However, outside the US, they are near double that, which makes them expensive.

I would love another 4003 someday, but the way it's going, I'll never be able to afford one.

Fly over here, buy one and go back home happy.

 

[GIBrat51]

In the case of the Ibanez Ric, I'll have to disagree. These are extremely rare, and when priced right, move very quickly. They are very collectible. I don't currently own one. I do own a Ric. But if one of these came up, I'd be very interested.

Truth is, I'd like to have a good MIJ Rick clone, myself; just for the "novelty" factor, if nothing else. I've noodled around with a couple, but.. they were wrong handed; and no, they didn't really sound like a Rick. Sounded pretty good; especially the Ibanez; but... not like a Rick. Sadly, left handed ones are extremely scarce, so my search will be a long one. I sometimes think the Japanese keep all their lefty instruments for themselves; an awful lot of them seem to be left handed...

 

[ispunk]

 

[YaPeL]

yeah, they are not expensive... in the US, have I been living there I wouldn't bother with a copy, having said that, I have a joodee/daion lawsuit copy that is a dream (those didn't come from the Matsumoku plant), I posted some pics on the rickenfaker thread (near the alst page), totaly killed my GAS for a rick, and its probably the only bass that I won't part ways with ever.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

While the 70's clones are nice, Rics definitely aren't overpriced and I've never understood the argument behind that.

Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? no.

Compare a Ric to what you get in the $1400-1600 range from any other bass manufacturer. From Fender, you can get an American Professional series bass. You can get a basic, single humbucker stingray from Musicman without even getting close to touching any of their cooler finishes or deluxe options. Companies like Ibanez, ESP and Jackson $1600 won't even get you out of their budget ranges. You won't even be able to look at any "boutique" companies like Sadowsky or Dingwall. Not only are you getting more features and unique character from a Ric than anything else you can get for the same price, but it will also retain its resale value.

Is this post serious, or tongue in cheek? I really can't tell.

You mention a Fender American Professional and an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray as if they are some piece of junk budget basses. Some people say those basses knock a Rickenbacker out the water, but that's their opinion

And Ibanez, ESP, Jackson's budget line is about $1000 less than the price of a new Ric!

 

[Alex Huddleston]

Is this post serious, or tongue in cheek? I really can't tell.

You mention a Fender American Professional and an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray as if they are some piece of junk budget basses. Some people say those basses knock a Rickenbacker out the water, but that's their opinion

And Ibanez, ESP, Jackson's budget line is about $1000 less than the price of a new Ric!

Not dogging them (I've owned/own both fenders and Musicman basses) but explaining what you can get for the cost of a 4003/4003S from other companies to show that they aren't overpriced. You won't get anything with ESP on the headstock for less than 2000 and the higher end LTDs cost as much as a Ric. LTD is their budget line if I'm not mistaken. Ibanez Prestige starts in around the $2000 range and anything American made by Jackson is going to be $2500+

 

[Korladis]

Not dogging them (I've owned/own both fenders and Musicman basses) but explaining what you can get for the cost of a 4003/4003S from other companies to show that they aren't overpriced. You won't get anything with ESP on the headstock for less than 2000 and the higher end LTDs cost as much as a Ric. LTD is their budget line if I'm not mistaken. Ibanez Prestige starts in around the $2000 range and anything American made by Jackson is going to be $2500+

Yep.

People think of Rickenbackers as expensive because they're comparing them to the prices of other companies' budget lines. A Rickenbacker 4003, street price, sits in about the same range as a MusicMan Stingray, an American G&L, and Professional series Fenders. Considering that Rickenbackers are neck through, which is more involved a build process than bolt-on, it seems to me that they're priced at about what I would expect.