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Need some help getting a Rick 4003

pie_man_25

pie_man_25

Jun 28, 2007
4,376
7,888
#1
Hey I've been scanning local kijiji ads when I came across a guy selling a Rickenbacker 4003, in good condition with little by way of blemishes other than a chip on the headstock for $1,750. I've talked with the guitarist in my band -who also plays bass - and we'll work something out in terms of shared ownership (temporarily at least). I'll pay half and he'll pay half - he gets to keep it at his place 24/7 (which is our practice space), and I get to play it at gigs. That sounds pretty good. However, $1,750 is too much for a Rick, whether used or new. This guy is obviously just trying to capitalize on people that don't know that while they aren't sold in my town, you can easily go to Toronto to get one new for like $900-$1,200, an used for about $750 - about a thousand bucks cheaper!!!

I just need some ammo against this guy to haggle down to a fair price of something between $700-$800 - hearsay doesn't really hold up, at least when you're knocking $1,000 off the price. Any advice/ sources would be GREATLY appreciated, this is my dream bass.

Edit: I was going on hearsay for the Toronto price, I'm going to go with the other people here and say it'll be about 1700 - 2000 new.
 
#2
You can get one new for $900-$1200? Things must be different in Canada.. If you really can get one NEW for that price (that's a good price for a used one!) I suggest you go do it NOW instead of trying to buy this one.

I've seen them new on a SPECIAL deal going for $1750. They are usually a bit more, from my experience.

As far as used prices.. I see them going anywhere from $1100 for one with a lot of wear to $1650 or so for one in good shape. I think $1750 is a bit much for one used, though.

Do you have a website or anything that shows them for sale for that price? You could show him that ad in that case.
 
#3
Dub56 said:
You can get one new for $900-$1200? Things must be different in Canada.. If you really can get one NEW for that price (that's a good price for a used one!) I suggest you go do it NOW instead of trying to buy this one.

I've seen them new on a SPECIAL deal going for $1750. They are usually a bit more, from my experience.

As far as used prices.. I see them going anywhere from $1100 for one with a lot of wear to $1650 or so for one in good shape. I think $1750 is a bit much for one used, though.

Do you have a website or anything that shows them for sale for that price? You could show him that ad in that case.
Click to expand...

unfortunately Toronto is a four hour drive away, and this guy's place is like twenty minutes' walk from my house. I just know my band's guitarist has been to Toronto to do recording and saw some used ones there for like $750 at Long+McQuade's. I don't think they're being posted on the internet. I'm not sure about the condition of said instruments in Toronto.
 
#4
Well, I would personally suggest calling the place. I'd ask if they are selling them new, and for what price. You can always use that baseline to go off of when dealing with the local guy. Obviously it doesn't make much sense to pay MORE for a used instrument than an identical new one.

I would look on some ebay finished listings and see what they are selling for on there. Also check the classifieds here and see what they're selling for.

I would bet you won't get this guy to go down anywhere near $1000, but you could probably get him to go down to around $1450 or so if he's at all aware of the market.
 
#5
I've never seen anywhere you could find a new 4003 for that low in years, especially not in Canada.
3 years ago L & M quoted me $1600 new, with a 25% downpayment to place an order, there were none in stock, and they're the only authorised dealer in Canada. It's around $2000 now, like everywhere else.
Some US dealers will go as low as $1650 I'm told, but you gotta buy what few they have in stock, most will do around $1900.
If you can easily get one for $1200 new, do it.

If you can talk him down to $800 you've got some very serious haggling skills!
Or, if you can easily find a used one in TO for $750, why are you waiting?
To save $1000, I'd drive 4 hours no problem, just be sure to call ahead to reserve the bass.
 
#7
I paid $1950 for mine in March from MF, but then I wanted a specific colour that wasn't in stock anywhere else.
After the exchange, shipping, border fees, and tax it was just under $2300.
Some will definitely say that's too much, but I've been waiting years to get a new one, and I didn't want to wait any longer.
 
#8
+1 on this. I live in Michigan now but lived in Toronto for about 10 years. I can assure you that 4003s are not going for 1200 new in Toronto. Usually the Canadian prices are a rip off (ie: 10-20% higher than the US, not lower).
 
#10
fair enough, I'm r eally only going on hearsay in terms of what the going is in Toronto. So obviously based on consensus 800 is way too unrealistic when they'd go for 2000 new. so obviously my friend is probably full of it (should have known). Maybe I should instead try to haggle down to maybe 1,200 - 1,500. It has been there at least a month and a half, maybe he'll be desperate for a sale (I know, it's a rick, but I can hope)
 
#13
Bought my 2009 4003 brand new from a shop for $1950 and a free pedal last year. In canada I'd expect it be at least over $2000 for a new one. $1700 might not be the absolute best price out there, but its well within the going range.
 
#14
pie_man_25 said:
Hey I've been scanning local kijiji ads when I came across a guy selling a Rickenbacker 4003, in good condition with little by way of blemishes other than a chip on the headstock for $1,750. I've talked with the guitarist in my band -who also plays bass - and we'll work something out in terms of shared ownership (temporarily at least). I'll pay half and he'll pay half - he gets to keep it at his place 24/7 (which is our practice space), and I get to play it at gigs. That sounds pretty good. However, $1,750 is too much for a Rick, whether used or new. This guy is obviously just trying to capitalize on people that don't know that while they aren't sold in my town, you can easily go to Toronto to get one new for like $900-$1,200, an used for about $750 - about a thousand bucks cheaper!!!

I just need some ammo against this guy to haggle down to a fair price of something between $700-$800 - hearsay doesn't really hold up, at least when you're knocking $1,000 off the price. Any advice/ sources would be GREATLY appreciated, this is my dream bass.

Edit: I was going on hearsay for the Toronto price, I'm going to go with the other people here and say it'll be about 1700 - 2000 new.
Click to expand...


Without anything in print from a Canadian retailer or classifed ad in support, any information you may gather from TB is also just hearsay.
 
#15
cassius987 said:
Best price I have seen for a brand new 4003 in 2010: $1599. If you can do better I'll be pretty amazed (and happy for you).
Click to expand...

I live an hour North of TO, I blew a chance to grab a 2008 -4003 Fireglo in pristine condition about a year ago, $ 1700.00 give or take a few toonies. I have seen a few close to the number above from US internet dealers, once you add the taxes, freight, brokerage etc your close to 2 K. Not sure where your numbers are coming from, but if legit, grab one, 4 hours or not !
 
#16
Cash talks, BS walks. Offer what you're comfortable paying. He'll either sell it or not. Trying to make arguments on what he *should* sell it for is just being kind of a jerk imho. The market speaks. Instruments sell for exactly what they should sell for. If the bass isn't selling then it's priced too high. Until someone comes and buys it.

If I'm selling something and a potential buyer says, "I can get that for $X elsewhere" then I tell them to go elsewhere and buy it.
 

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