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Warranty Information
Warranty Information and Procedures
North American Limited Warranty
Rickenbacker International Corp. guarantees this instrument bought from an authorized dealer to be free from defective materials and workmanship to the original purchaser for five years, except for the finish, which is guaranteed for one year. This warranty begins upon the date of manufacture as stamped on this card.
Should a defect become apparent during normal use, this instrument will be repaired free of charge, subject to the following conditions.
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.
Models | Boutique | News | U.S. Dealers | Owners Manual | Corporate Info | Forums | Site Map
© 2016 Rickenbacker International Corporation ® RIC, logotypes Further legal notice.
Warranty Information and Procedures
North American Limited Warranty
Rickenbacker International Corp. guarantees this instrument bought from an authorized dealer to be free from defective materials and workmanship to the original purchaser for five years, except for the finish, which is guaranteed for one year. This warranty begins upon the date of manufacture as stamped on this card.
Should a defect become apparent during normal use, this instrument will be repaired free of charge, subject to the following conditions.
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.
Models | Boutique | News | U.S. Dealers | Owners Manual | Corporate Info | Forums | Site Map
© 2016 Rickenbacker International Corporation ® RIC, logotypes Further legal notice.
Just out of interest, do most people who have bought new Rics keep the factory strings on?
Warranty Information
Warranty Information and Procedures
North American Limited Warranty
Rickenbacker International Corp. guarantees this instrument bought from an authorized dealer to be free from defective materials and workmanship to the original purchaser for five years, except for the finish, which is guaranteed for one year. This warranty begins upon the date of manufacture as stamped on this card.
Should a defect become apparent during normal use, this instrument will be repaired free of charge, subject to the following conditions.
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.
Models | Boutique | News | U.S. Dealers | Owners Manual | Corporate Info | Forums | Site Map
© 2016 Rickenbacker International Corporation ® RIC, logotypes Further legal notice.
That's almost a joke. Almost.
It's not if you've got a finish problem.
In saying that, 5 years warranty on the rest of the bass is pretty bloody good. In regards to another thread, if you're going to have issues with your bridge (as one example
) or pickups it'd usually become apparent before the 5 years is up.True, but finish issues with anything RIC are legendary and one has to wonder why that's not included in the warranty. Not that you or I could avail ourselves of that: we'd simply have to have the importer deal with it. I so wish I had done that with my 4003 Blue Boy instead of hanging on to an instrument with finish blemishes.It's not if you've got a finish problem.
In saying that, 5 years warranty on the rest of the bass is pretty bloody good. In regards to another thread, if you're going to have issues with your bridge (as one example
Yep! I had to fill the warranty card out for an issue with the neck they had to fix before. It was actually filled and sent months past when they said it was supposed to be, and they still helped me out. I'm really hoping they will do right by me again.
It's a Ric. It's SUPPOSED TO have finish flaws.
The secret is to be persistent when complaining to Rickenbacker. Hopefully, if you're lucky, John Hall, himself will tell you to go to hell. This is all part of the RIC experience.
The secret is to be persistent when complaining to Rickenbacker. Hopefully, if you're lucky, John Hall, himself will tell you to go to hell. This is all part of the RIC experience.
@Wolfenstein666 had a problem with finish lifting around the bridge, and had forgotten to send in his warranty card. He ultimately got his fixed, but it cost him around $125 (Edit: $109)in shipping. I'm guessing it would be more to ship from Canada, depends where you are. IMHO having to pay for repair of finish flaws on a $1800 bass is not right , but it is what it is. If its just a "pool" of extra finish, like a big run, it should be possible to sand it flush and buff it out. If its finish lifting, where the clearcoat never really bonded to paint below, they will probably have to refinish the headstock. Its pretty clear they had a long run of instruments with clearcoat problems, always around the hardware, which makes me wonder if they just aren't letting the UV activated finish cure long enough before assembling.
To keep things in perspective, what's the Fender policy on finish flaws? Are customers responsible for return shipping on warranty claims.? How about Gibson?
To keep things in perspective, what's the Fender policy on finish flaws? Are customers responsible for return shipping on warranty claims.? How about Gibson?
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Fender warrenty for me in the UK is null. Again, my issue would be handled between the shop and the importer. Dunno about Gibson.
I've had loads of Fenders and the only issue I've had is a dead-spot on one of my CS Jazzes. Now that was annoying for an expensive instrument!
I couldn't send it back cos it's a one-off.
I've had loads of Fenders and the only issue I've had is a dead-spot on one of my CS Jazzes. Now that was annoying for an expensive instrument!
I couldn't send it back cos it's a one-off.
Please report back here on your customer service, if you would? It will hold value over "Typical Rickenbacker" and "John Hall ate my baby" statements. Negative OR positive, I'm very curious to know how things go for you. I will stay subscribed to this thread and will try to weed through the speculation that is bound to be strewn about this thread. In theory, you should be good, as it sounds like your bases are covered under their warranty guidelines. Best of luck to you!
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Aye, but reading between the lines it looks like RIC will come up with creative reasons to not honour that warranty, such as the use of non-RIC approved strings. The bridge on your 4003 might be damaging the surrounding finish, and they could argue that you used Rotosounds and therefore caused this issue.
Friend of mine ordered a brand new Thunderbird from a Gibson Dealership, when it arrived, it had numerous finish flaws in it but Gibson refused to take it back under warranty. After lengthy discussions, and the threat of legal action, he got his money back (he was offered a replacement, but he refused).
If it had gone that far for myself, I, too would have refused the replacement. By that point, the idea of owning a new instrument of that marque would be out of the question.
Why in the world would your friend pay for and leave the store with a brand new bass, slathered with "numerous finish flaws"? Why wouldn't they refuse the purchase and have the Gibson dealership order in another one?
Ahhhhh man, I feel for you.
Before I start I want to point out that from your pictures at least your problem with the finish looks different than the one I had. Mine was opaque looking when it bubbled where yours looks clear. I wonder if it really is a finish "pooling" problem and could be remedied by sanding? I don't know, just thinking out loud.
As far as the warranty goes, it's one year from date of MANUFACTURE, not sale. I really hate the policy, RIC has to know that some of their instruments sit around for awhile. But whatever, that's there prerogative. If your instrument does fall under warranty, the best advice I can give if you choose to pursue it is to have all of your ducks lined up and at attention before even attempting to call them. Have your warranty card ready if you didn't send it in, be ready to send it in at the drop of a hat. Be polite, but let them know your not going anywhere. And then after that, just fight the good fight and hope for the best. RIC Warranty is an uphill battle.
Now having said that, with the exception of eating shipping one way ($109
) RIC did come through in the end, even though I hadn't sent in my warranty card previously, shattering some old preconceived notions of complete inaction on RIC's part. They CRUSHED the refin to, it looked fantastic and still does, no further problems.
Either way, best of luck to you.
Before I start I want to point out that from your pictures at least your problem with the finish looks different than the one I had. Mine was opaque looking when it bubbled where yours looks clear. I wonder if it really is a finish "pooling" problem and could be remedied by sanding? I don't know, just thinking out loud.
As far as the warranty goes, it's one year from date of MANUFACTURE, not sale. I really hate the policy, RIC has to know that some of their instruments sit around for awhile. But whatever, that's there prerogative. If your instrument does fall under warranty, the best advice I can give if you choose to pursue it is to have all of your ducks lined up and at attention before even attempting to call them. Have your warranty card ready if you didn't send it in, be ready to send it in at the drop of a hat. Be polite, but let them know your not going anywhere. And then after that, just fight the good fight and hope for the best. RIC Warranty is an uphill battle.
Now having said that, with the exception of eating shipping one way ($109
) RIC did come through in the end, even though I hadn't sent in my warranty card previously, shattering some old preconceived notions of complete inaction on RIC's part. They CRUSHED the refin to, it looked fantastic and still does, no further problems.Either way, best of luck to you.
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It's not if you've got a finish problem.
In saying that, 5 years warranty on the rest of the bass is pretty bloody good. In regards to another thread, if you're going to have issues with your bridge (as one example
I don't know about Australia, but Fender has a limited lifetime warranty in the US to the original purchaser. They replaced a neck with a bum truss rod for me. G&L has a 10 year warranty. I don't really know how good 5 years are.