This applies to all things, not just Ricks, regarding dealer pricing.
Perhaps I am wrong but your post sounds like it is targeting RIC.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Rickenbacker 4003 Pricing
- Thread starter BassDaddy77
- Start date
Perhaps I am wrong but your post sounds like it is targeting RIC.
I recently played a new 4003w at Apple Music in Portland,they had it priced at $1800. I thought it was one of the best 4003 basses i have played in the last 3-4 years,really liked the feel of the oil finish.
Good point. I singled out Ric just because of this thread's topic.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I'm a little surprised by the idea that a 1990s Ric is worth more than some newer ones. Why would that be? I'm also surprised, because I picked up a 1998 Fireglo 4003 for $1200, shipped, a couple years ago. I figured it was a losing bid on Ebay, but it was also a price I would be reasonably happy to pay for a Ric if I won. I won, and I'm reasonably happy. It has its issues, but what doesn't? Selling it for what I paid for it would probably be pretty easy, but I would be surprised if it was worth any more than I paid for it.
Thanks for the clarification, Warpeg. 
Dealers set the street price, however there are some manufacturers who do their best to dictate that, in many product categories, not just the MI business.
Dealers set the street price, however there are some manufacturers who do their best to dictate that, in many product categories, not just the MI business.
Thanks for all the good insights everyone. It seems that I can't get any seller to dip below $1500 no matter what I mention on the phone.
They say that "knowledge is power." I tried to leverage the subjects of dealer cost and profit margin, but to no avail. I suppose the dealers all know they can sell every last Ric for exactly what they want, regardless of the consumer-seller negotiation process.
I guess the bottom line is this: If I want a new 4003, I need to pony up the $1500 and get over it, right?
They say that "knowledge is power." I tried to leverage the subjects of dealer cost and profit margin, but to no avail. I suppose the dealers all know they can sell every last Ric for exactly what they want, regardless of the consumer-seller negotiation process.
I guess the bottom line is this: If I want a new 4003, I need to pony up the $1500 and get over it, right?
It seems like no matter how good a deal is that everyone wants a even better deal, you maybe able to get one for $1400 with MF if you wait tell around xmas.........$1500 is a fine price for a 4003 thats new and issue free. I sold a used 1997 a few months ago locally for $1400 cash in my pocket in a few weeks and it wasnt minty.
Truer words were never written! After reading through older Ric threads, it seems a couple folks were able to land a new 4003 for $1399 and even less in some instances. Well, perhaps the stars aren't quite aligned in my case. But hey what's $100 when it comes right down to it?
Don't blame dealers for trying to make money because that's what they're in business for. The prices in the marketplace represent what people will pay for Rics. When demand outstrips supply, prices go up and vice versa.
As far as the prices for used ones, every time I try a new one, I'm convinced it doesn't feel or sound as good as my '79 model.
As far as the prices for used ones, every time I try a new one, I'm convinced it doesn't feel or sound as good as my '79 model.
Don't forget there's saying price and paying price. Some people get a little loose with the truth when they start talking about what great deals they got.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I remember about 12 years ago you could get good used Rics on ebay for about $500 and brand new Rics for about $850
Demand and availability. People want 4003s and not every store has them in inventory.
A person can sell you a 4003 for $100. That doesn't mean it's fair market value.
Sometimes there are colors or construction features that are no longer available on current models.
While I don't specifically recall seeing any used for $500, I bought a new one for right around $1,000 at this time. Then the prices seemed to increase. Things may have flattened in the last few years, but there were times when you could sell a used Ric for more than new. You just had to wait until MF had none in stock.
I have a 4003, even though I don't really play it. I know that when I sell a Ric, panic sets in, and I have to have another. I decided its just easier to have it sit in the case.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
About 2001 / 2002 I bought a 73 and a 74 4001 from ebay both for under $600. Both needed some work but both were good players.
A spread of 100-200-300$ is not getting ripped off. It's an example of businesses responding to market demands etc.
Businesses should be charging as much as they can. Undercharging will kill anybody in the long run. They depend on a variety of customers heavily and not-so-heavily researching price. Some folks only shop price, and for a mom-and-pop, these customers are not worth it in the long run. They are disloyal to a fault.
In the case of a Walnut 4003, most places, due to scarcity, can discount this model just 5% and still get the sale, making up for bigger cuts on other instruments.
nStuff music has 4003w's waitlisting for $1730. This list is 18 deep. So, it's a question of patience.
Last week I went to a GC in Ft Worth TX, and they had a 4003w on the floor. It was priced right above 2k$, and I asked them about price guarantee (vs. nStuff). The denied it on principal of agreement with Ric. I figured this was bad info. as the retail vs. 4003 regular was the same. So I left.
I called MF wen I got back to Austin, and they happily gave me the price match discount but were back ordered thru Jan 2015. I happily ordered one.
This was last Wednesday. My bass arrived on Friday(?), not Jan 15. Who knows what happened.
The guys at Guitar Center made the correct decision. I imagine that bass has since sold at the higher price (on the floor a few hours when I saw it).
Word.
Businesses should be charging as much as they can. Undercharging will kill anybody in the long run. They depend on a variety of customers heavily and not-so-heavily researching price. Some folks only shop price, and for a mom-and-pop, these customers are not worth it in the long run. They are disloyal to a fault.
In the case of a Walnut 4003, most places, due to scarcity, can discount this model just 5% and still get the sale, making up for bigger cuts on other instruments.
nStuff music has 4003w's waitlisting for $1730. This list is 18 deep. So, it's a question of patience.
Last week I went to a GC in Ft Worth TX, and they had a 4003w on the floor. It was priced right above 2k$, and I asked them about price guarantee (vs. nStuff). The denied it on principal of agreement with Ric. I figured this was bad info. as the retail vs. 4003 regular was the same. So I left.
I called MF wen I got back to Austin, and they happily gave me the price match discount but were back ordered thru Jan 2015. I happily ordered one.
This was last Wednesday. My bass arrived on Friday(?), not Jan 15. Who knows what happened.
The guys at Guitar Center made the correct decision. I imagine that bass has since sold at the higher price (on the floor a few hours when I saw it).
Word.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Mine has a small neck, by my standards, so I suppose that's something. It has non-adjustable pole pieces in the pickups and no push-pull vintage circuit. It's just the more modern circuit. It still sounds just like a Ric, but other than those things, I can't think of any reason it would be more valuable than a newer one. At this point, it's got some playing wear and scratches on it, so it is probably worth less, but who knows any more about any of these things. It might be that Rics are just expensive for now, and the price of a Ric will go up and down just like the price of gasoline.
When i went into Apple to check out the new 4003w,they just happened to have a used 1998 4004c,which is a discontinued model,for the exact same price. They are fairly rare to find,discontinued,and have unique features. I loved the C immediately,and gave my my best shot at negotiation,but ended up paying the full asking price. And i am completely happy with my decision. They really seemed to like that price,as they also had 2 new Cii's priced the same.
There is also a huge market for used Rics in countries that Ric does not have dealers in. Authorized dealers cannot ship new ones just anywhere.
It's hard to belive that they were only fetching about a grand as recent as 12 years ago, especially in this economy. From what I gather, Ric prices seem to be heavily influenced by supply and demand. Since they aren't as easy to get a hold of as something like a an Am Std Fender, customers are forced into "playing the game" a bit more.
