barrymclark Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 Glad to see it was just because of a less than well thought out statement clearly describing a banjo for sale as a Gibson copy. i have dealt with those guys through the years on occassion and they are excellent and reputable. I'll really miss them as a Heritage dealer... Yeah. I was just being bad. Never had any dealings with them personally. Just glad to hear it was just Gibson doing the thing they do best: sue companies that perform better.
111518 Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 Just out of interest (since everything worth knowing is apparently now on Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elderly_Instruments I think this was during the period when Gibson was restricting mail order sales to a very few, very large co.'s, which allowed (allows) it greater control over access and pricing. I think the Elderly suit (and others) were widely seen as excuses for cutting off dealers who otherwise had met their franchise terms. This is part of the reason that I try to order from Elderly, rather than MF or others who are part of the Gibson cartel.
Thundersteel Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 I found it interesting that, according to Gibby's contract, sellers were prohibited from offering similar instruments from competitors.
jmc7581 Posted November 17, 2009 Posted November 17, 2009 I don't want to be naive, but a company playing that kind of hardball - instead of working it out with the dealer - makes me ill. I guess it works as a business model, but man ...
blueox Posted November 17, 2009 Author Posted November 17, 2009 Gibson won their lawsuit against Elderly Instruments several years ago. One would think that it would be to Gibson's detriment also, as Elderly could certainly sell a lot of Gibson stuff, just as they do other brands. Of course, they can and do still sell all the used/vintage Gibson equipment that they can get their hands on. The lawsuit had to do with banjos: lawsuit
bruno Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 That leads to an interesting question... how is Heritage doing these days given the bad economy? Anybody have any idea? I heard that they are working only 4 days/week. I inferred from that they used to work 5 or more, but am not positive.
Kuz Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 I heard that they are working only 4 days/week. I inferred from that they used to work 5 or more, but am not positive. Again my comment s about Heritage doing better is all relative. "Better than this summer", isn't better than 3 years ago. I am sure they would love to increase business 15-20%. They have been closed on Fridays for what, a year now. FWIW, PRS has laid off and stopped it night shift.
chico Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 All this talk about "how is Heritage doing" is really negative vibe. I mean, we all know the world economy sucks right now, that everyone feels the pain in some way, and I'm sure Heritage is no exception. However, they craftsmen and women who work there could essentially come in ONE day a week to make guitars if thats what the world demand called for, because to them it is a labor of love. I believe that Heritage, under Vince, is seeking growth but not necessarily in a mass way. I think Heritage has a very cool vibe happening about it, helped along by this forum, and there will always be a demand for their product as long as they are making it or the craftspersons are still around. There are ways to get through the thin economic times, mostly watching the expense side of the ledger. Too bad the politicians don't understand that concept...county I live in is raising their property tax rate 7.9% next year..
tulk1 Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 All this talk about "how is Heritage doing" is really negative vibe. I mean, we all know the world economy sucks right now, that everyone feels the pain in some way, and I'm sure Heritage is no exception. However, they craftsmen and women who work there could essentially come in ONE day a week to make guitars if thats what the world demand called for, because to them it is a labor of love. I believe that Heritage, under Vince, is seeking growth but not necessarily in a mass way. I think Heritage has a very cool vibe happening about it, helped along by this forum, and there will always be a demand for their product as long as they are making it or the craftspersons are still around. There are ways to get through the thin economic times, mostly watching the expense side of the ledger. Too bad the politicians don't understand that concept...county I live in is raising their property tax rate 7.9% next year.. Ray, not sure I agree with the "negative vibe", man. (okay, what's that from? anyone?). I think it shows concern from the dedicated fanatics. We all want our boys to prosper, according to our own vision. Now there's the real rub .... in my mind. And WOW!! a nearly 8% increase? That sucks. Do they bother to show you what your tax increases are going to get for you? Isn't that the purpose of taxes - to improve the infrastructure of a city, county, state ... country?
smurph1 Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 I don't want to be naive, but a company playing that kind of hardball - instead of working it out with the dealer - makes me ill. I guess it works as a business model, but man ... Yeah it does seem a bit harsh..But I guess Henry really doesn't care..
chico Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 Ray, not sure I agree with the "negative vibe", man. (okay, what's that from? anyone?). I think it shows concern from the dedicated fanatics. We all want our boys to prosper, according to our own vision. Now there's the real rub .... in my mind. And WOW!! a nearly 8% increase? That sucks. Do they bother to show you what your tax increases are going to get for you? Isn't that the purpose of taxes - to improve the infrastructure of a city, county, state ... country? I dunno Kenny, I guess it was the "they have seen better days" or something like that comment. No shit Sherlock. Who hasn't? Not talkin big time neg vibe, just warning about it creeping in.. its insidious. Tax increase is to keep county budget as it is, not like its getting used for new things. The politicians will cut back on the salting of roads in the winter, or police and fire protection, but they still have to fund their "social services" at previous levels or buy property for "conservation" ...all I know is that there were NO social services when my dad was struck with polio in 1936 and needed full time living care for 3 years. And they were dirt poor. Thank God for the Rotarians. but that was a day before people figured the gov't was there to help them through whatever tough circumstance they were in.. anyway, I don't want to be negative myself, and I think I am becoming neg by reading, hearing, and seeing negativity... so to end on a up note: have a Grrrreaaat dAYYYYY!
big bob Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 God bless us, every one. and please pass me a beer!
Dick Seacup Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 Ray, not sure I agree with the "negative vibe", man. (okay, what's that from? anyone?) I want to say Big Lebowski. Which makes me also want to say, "That rug really pulled the room together, you know, man?" Chico/Ray- I'm with you.
chico Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 I want to say Big Lebowski. Which makes me also want to say, "That rug really pulled the room together, you know, man?" Chico/Ray- I'm with you. Dick, maybe its an overstatement. I'm an emotional kind of guy... Not picking on anyone, just offering some perspective..love reading the forums. and see Jay W.'s associated post about the state of Heritage business... makes you feel REAL GOOD. gotta look at the 90% glass full side of things..
Dick Seacup Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 Dick, maybe its an overstatement. I'm an emotional kind of guy... I don't think it was. gotta look at the 90% glass full side of things.. My wife tells people "He's not the glass half-full guy, and he's not the glass half-empty guy, he's the 'Where the hell is the waitress??!!' guy."
tulk1 Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 I want to say Big Lebowski. Which makes me also want to say, "That rug really pulled the room together, you know, man?" Chico/Ray- I'm with you. Donald Sutherland as Oddball in Kelly's Heroes.
tyguy Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 I think this was during the period when Gibson was restricting mail order sales to a very few, very large co.'s, which allowed (allows) it greater control over access and pricing. I think the Elderly suit (and others) were widely seen as excuses for cutting off dealers who otherwise had met their franchise terms. This is part of the reason that I try to order from Elderly, rather than MF or others who are part of the Gibson cartel.Yes,Elderly are good folk and very knowledgeable.
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