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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Al's recent statement that the OFCII might be "the last" prompts questions, not necessarily needing or expecting Al to answer - anyone with insight is welcome:
Custom order O/A's are still alive. You can get your own custom order made at Mother. If two of us could agree on a common configuration, the factory would take our money and custom build twins. If five of us wanted the same thing we could all five place orders and get quints.
So:
Is the difficulty in a limited run more in the coordination of the spec and ordering?
When the limited run is commissioned, is there a minimum order quantity at the factory? The minimum order quantity would, I assume, be imposed solely to justify some cost reduction due to increased quantity? Is the reduced price "worth it?" What kind of break does one get for participating in the limited run?
I hope folks had to put down a hefty deposit so the dealer/coordinator didn't have to "front" a ton of cash, right? (otherwise that's not fair.)
Is there any intrinsic value in being part of the limited run? An OFC I is a very nice guitar; is it worth more because it's an "OFC I?"
Enquiring minds want to know. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | In this economy, I can't imagine Al doing this unless he had confirmed orders and non refundable deposits..... |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I can't speak with any authority here specific to dealer transactions with Ovation, but based on my understanding of business transactions generally, my guess is that it is all about putting the money up front to commit the order. With custom orders, the customer provides a deposit with the dealer, so the risk on the dealer may be less, but perhaps still there to some degree. With a custom ordered limited run, I suspect that if the factory does not require a dealer deposit up front, then they'll require reasonably prompt payment upon delivery to the dealer. Without customers lined up with pre-ordered deposits, the financial responsibility falls directly on the dealer. Obviously, the financial burden of flooring unsold inventory can be significant, particularly if the inventory is being financed with credit, as many of us have seen in retail stores this past holiday shopping season. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | edited
since I really did not need to post this rant |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Al,
Thanks very much for replying and clarifying your previous statement. I totally understand your reluctance without hefty up-front nonrefundable deposits.
That makes total sense! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Oi!
My New year's resolution (which I resolved to stop making years ago) is to place a custom order with Al before this Spring.
Lets see, VXT 12, Wooden Adamas, Dreadnaught Baritone... |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | can you say prepaids? |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Why would you compromise and try to find 5 or so like minded people. Just call Al and place a custom order for your very own guitar to your very own specs. I have done it on several occasions and there is a deposit involved, obviously. Just do it. |
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OFC Three - Limited Run?