Rickenbacker finish issue (Resolved by RIC)

[/\/\3phist0]

I don't know that I DO have the card anymore. I know I started filling it out and then put it with some other paperwork at my APT. I'll have to search for it when I get home.

I have not contacted WW beyond my original email. I am sending an update to them now.

perhaps WW can provide you with another?

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Can Ric-haters start chiming in now, or should we still hold out? I'm running out of popcorn.

Better go pop some more, this is a civil thread. Ric hater's continued silence is much appreciated.

perhaps WW can provide you with another?

I didn't outright ask them but implied it. I don't think that would be a problem if it came down to it. Still waiting to hear back from them.

 

[Handyman]

I never assumed I was automatically getting the shaft. I have said multiple times that everything they have done thus far is within their rights as a company.

Actually, their behavior is totally in conflict with the law. I find your patience laudable, but by being such a nice guy to an outfit with a long history of trying to trick customers out of warranty service, I think you're setting yourself up to be further abused.

Best of luck, but really, you need to stand up for yourself if you want this resolved. You're not going to get a bad actor to behave by being the nice guy.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Better go pop some more, this is a civil thread. Ric hater's continued silence is much appreciated.



I didn't outright ask them but implied it. I don't think that would be a problem if it came down to it. Still waiting to hear back from them.

no "hate" from me just disgust. Behringer has better customer service for cripe's sake!
OH and with them you can register online... FWIW

Companies only behave like this until pressed. Stay the course and don't let up.

i was once ran a collection agency. I coached all of my team to be cordial, polite and empathetic and FIRM.

the motto was "he who loses their cool first, LOSES"

we were extremely profitable (the business just ate away at my soul)

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Actually, their behavior is totally in conflict with the law. I find your patience laudable, but by being such a nice guy to an outfit with a long history of trying to trick customers out of warranty service, I think you're setting yourself up to be further abused.

Best of luck, but really, you need to stand up for yourself if you want this resolved. You're not going to get a bad actor to behave by being the nice guy.

I'm being nice now because they haven't given me a reason to act otherwise. I have my ducks in a row to take all actions necessary to pursue the rightful outcome to this situation. I've found that being persistent will get you a lot further than being an outright a($.

no "hate" from me just disgust. Behringer has better customer service for cripe's sake!
OH and with them you can register online... FWIW

There's a difference between hate and disgust, so far it's been the latter in this thread and I'd rather keep the former out of it.

 

[Marko 1]

EXCEPT that RIC holds the cards here, it's like disparaging the memory of the cook's mother, who is preparing your meal.
Calm, firm continued pressure can crack the rock, like ice in a crack in Granite, time and continued pressure can bring down mountains.

We'll have to agree to disagree here. the OP has the cards, Ric's bluffing.

Time to lay down the cards.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

The time to lay down the cards will be if they tell me, after all steps that RIC recommends are taken, that they cannot do anything for me citing various "reasons". THAT is when it will be time to draw more attention to the issue.

I'm not sympathizing with RIC at all, I'm simply giving them the chance to make good on their warranty. I think if I came flying out of the gate with death in my eyes and my teeth bared it would get shut down a lot faster than being respectful and courteous. All I can do is make sure my side of the street is clean, be persistent, and lay down my argument in clear, factual, logical, accurate, and undeniable terms. That is what I plan to do.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Contact a lawyer. Since this transaction is interstate commerce, you may be able to invoke Rico Law violations for the fraud. I'm sure Ric has numerous ongoing FTC claims they most likely ignore.

 

[AltGrendel]

Shame they're a privately held company. If we could all buy stock we could vote Hall out.


Naaaaaah.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

First, see what happens before assuming you are getting the shaft. Wait for a "no".

Second, Ric's issue with the warranty and the card is probably a bit complex. Their concern COULD be related to warranties being extended to people beyond the original purchaser or a buyer outside the U.S. Or they could just be trying to skate on the repair. If it's the former there won't be a problem here. If the latter, well, you will know AND we will know that the warranty is worthless.

Besides FTC remedies, California has intense consumer protection laws. Hope it all works out.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (warranties section)

 

[BigBigGuy44]

This is interesting:

Invalid Link Removed

Resolving Disputes
If you have problems with a product or with getting warranty service:

• Read your product instructions and warranty carefully. Don't expect features or performance that your product wasn't designed for, or assume warranty coverage that was never promised in writing. A warranty doesn't mean that you'll automatically get a refund if the product is defective—the company may be entitled to try to fix it first. On the other hand, if you reported a defect to the company during the warranty period and the product wasn't fixed properly, the company must correct the problem, even if your warranty expires before the product is fixed.
• Try to resolve the problem with the retailer. If you can't, Invalid Link Removed. Your warranty should list the company's mailing address. Send all letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep copies.
• Contact your state or local consumer protection office. They can help you if you can't resolve the situation with the seller or manufacturer.
• Research dispute resolution programs that try to informally settle any disagreements between you and the company. Your local consumer protection office can suggest organizations to contact. Also, check your warranty; it may require dispute resolution procedures before going to court.
• Consider small claims court. If your dispute involves less than $750, you can usually file a lawsuit in small claims court. The costs are relatively low, procedures are simple, and lawyers usually aren't needed. The clerk of the small claims court can tell you how to file your lawsuit and your state's dollar limits.
• If all else fails, you may want to consider a lawsuit. You can sue for damages or any other type of relief the court awards, including legal fees. A lawyer can advise you how to proceed.

 

[pdusen]

Because their earlier mail was clearly an effort to shut him down.

Clearly, but so what? How does that prevent the OP from continuing to speak to them?

 

[254 stringer]

One thing I noticed about the warranty issue and this may be how RIC is getting by the law. The federal law refers to full warranties and RIC has a limited North American warranty. I'm no lawyer though so I'm not sure if it makes a difference but it may because of the carefully chosen wording. In the email they sent back they even made sure to refer to it as limited.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

One thing I noticed about the warranty issue and this may be how RIC is getting by the law. The federal law refers to full warranties and RIC has a limited North American warranty. I'm no lawyer though so I'm not sure if it makes a difference but it may because of the carefully chosen wording. In the email they sent back they even made sure to refer to it as limited.

I noticed that as well, which is why I was hesitant to bring it up to them at all. If I would've pulled that out and they weren't technically on the hook for it that would've ended any and all chances of any work being done under warranty period. Discretion is the better part of valor.

I think the only real point I have them on would be what is printed in the owners manual, and at the end of the day they can probably manipulate that how they want. I have some clout but not as much as I thought earlier.

I'm not a lawyer though. And since I'm not a lawyer, and my 24 year old self doesn't have the funds for one, I doubt it'll go far down that road anyway.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Wolf
Reading through my own responses, I can see my blood pressure rising, you actually have coolest head on the thread, and obviously have a handle on this. My wife used to make me say this when I was about to go volcanic with stress:
"Bond, James Bond"

Worked too (sometimes)

I really hope this works out in your favor, always been teetering on the knife edge of recommending people buy a Ric just because I love them, vs all the rumors I've heard about bad CS. I hope I don't have to fall off that knife edge. I'll shut up now.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Clearly, but so what? How does that prevent the OP from continuing to speak to them?

nothing is keeping him from continuing to contact RIC, nor should he cut communications, rather make moves in preparation to enlist support from lawful assistance which by historical, and anecdotal evidence he will very likely need.

interesting read: perhaps a foreshadowing of coming events?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


As a small derail: i'm not going to name names, but I do have personal ties back to John Hall.
John's band:
Welcome to Hautewerk.com
his linked in John Hall | LinkedIn
Glassdoor profile for RIC
Invalid Link Removed

Warranty Information
What's Not Covered
The warranty is void if, upon inspection by RIC factory personnel, the defect is determined to be the result of damage due to misuse, exposure to environmental extremes, modification, or the use of replacement parts, including strings, not in conformity with factory specifications, or due to damage not resulting from a manufacturing defect.

This warranty does not extend to strings or deterioration of items subject to routine wear and tear, nor shall it apply where the serial number has been removed or defaced.

How To Obtain Service
You must obtain a Return Authorization (RA) number from the factory prior to return of instrument. Ship the instrument prepaid to the address below, with the RA number prominently showing outside the carton, and include your name, address, and description of the problem. RIC will return it, shipping prepaid, following repair.

Proof of purchase is required at time waranty service is requested.

How To Register For Warranty
The instrument's original and unaltered warranty card must be completed and mailed to RIC along with a copy of your sales receipt as proof of purchase, within 10 days of purchase date in order to obtain service under the limited warranty. You may wish to retain a copy of the card and original sales receipt, proof of ownership will be required.

Where It's Valid
The warranty card is valid only in the United States and Canada: it is not valid in any other country. Authorized RIC distributors in other countries provide warranty administration appropriate to the laws of their country.

Rickenbacker International Corp.
3895 South Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92707
USA

Tel: 714-545-5574 Fax: 714-754-0135

*Please be advised that any instrument bought through an online auction site is not covered under the Consumer Limited Warranty.
_________________________________________________________________________________________



Seriously Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
STRING CHANGE voids warranty?

and the MISSPELLING ON THE WEBSITE????

 

[JMacBass65]

Can Ric-haters start chiming in now, or should we still hold out? I'm running out of popcorn.

This has been a productive thread, I'm with the OP in keeping it civil. There are plenty of Rick bashing threads one can comment in. Or just start a new one......it's been a few days after all.

Actually, their behavior is totally in conflict with the law. I find your patience laudable, but by being such a nice guy to an outfit with a long history of trying to trick customers out of warranty service, I think you're setting yourself up to be further abused.

Best of luck, but really, you need to stand up for yourself if you want this resolved. You're not going to get a bad actor to behave by being the nice guy.

Agreed, I'd have gone ballistic by now.

That said - I think the OP is choosing the wisest course for now.

I'm being nice now because they haven't given me a reason to act otherwise. I have my ducks in a row to take all actions necessary to pursue the rightful outcome to this situation. I've found that being persistent will get you a lot further than being an outright a($.

There's a difference between hate and disgust, so far it's been the latter in this thread and I'd rather keep the former out of it.

The time to lay down the cards will be if they tell me, after all steps that RIC recommends are taken, that they cannot do anything for me citing various "reasons". THAT is when it will be time to draw more attention to the issue.

I'm not sympathizing with RIC at all, I'm simply giving them the chance to make good on their warranty. I think if I came flying out of the gate with death in my eyes and my teeth bared it would get shut down a lot faster than being respectful and courteous. All I can do is make sure my side of the street is clean, be persistent, and lay down my argument in clear, factual, logical, accurate, and undeniable terms. That is what I plan to do.

You are wise beyond your years.

Clearly, but so what? How does that prevent the OP from continuing to speak to them?

It doesn't. I'm just pointing out why the tone had changed. Plus.......history.

One thing I noticed about the warranty issue and this may be how RIC is getting by the law. The federal law refers to full warranties and RIC has a limited North American warranty. I'm no lawyer though so I'm not sure if it makes a difference but it may because of the carefully chosen wording. In the email they sent back they even made sure to refer to it as limited.

I was wondering that as well. Strange choice of wording in the statute.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

I obviously don't work at RIC but I would assume they put that clause in there to ensure people continue to buy Ric strings. I know they make their nut slots in a really weird gauge. I don't agree with it, I think its pretty shady, but if I reach down real deep and put aside personal feelings I can KIND OF understand it. Barely.

 

[Handyman]

I was wondering that as well. Strange choice of wording in the statute.

I did some digging, and found some secondary documentation from the FTC that expands on interpretations on how the warranty card thing works with "limited warranties".

Basically, coverage of a limited warranty CAN be contingent on returning a warranty card, BUT ONLY if the supplied warranty states that returning the card is required for coverage. Sounds like the warranty supplied to the customer with a Ric bass states that returning the card is NOT required, which means the company rep is still on the wrong side of the law.

Invalid Link Removed

In addition to specifying the information that must appear in a written warranty, Rule 701 also requires that, if the warrantor of a limited warranty uses a warranty registration or owner registration card, the warranty must disclose whether return of the registration card is a condition precedent to warranty coverage.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

RIP lemmy: