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Location: Australia | Someone explained to me in a previous thread that an FRG is a factory reconditioned guitar.
OK, well I'm confused.
Bro. Bobby has a 1627 GC for sale. He says :
This new Ovation is an Ovation Special FRG guitar. It is new and spotless and has a factory warranty from Ovation USA.
What does this actually mean ? |
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Location: NJ | frg comes with 5 year warranties.
as for anything else why not write bobby directly?
only he knows what he actually means. |
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Posts: 651
Location: Australia | Well I'm not loosing any sleep over it, I just wondered how a new guitar could be described as factory recoditioned. |
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Location: south east Michigan | The devil is in the details (as in fine print). |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | My understanding, and I asked this question directly during last OFFC tour Q/A session: FRG's are SECONDS. They are new and factory fresh. Usually some small cosmetic issue. Warranty is 5 years.
My theory: Some less-than-honest dealers will advertise guitars as FRG on ebay even though they are not FRG's. They do this to avoid MAP restrictions (FRG's are not bound by MAP, as I understand it). In some sense to the consumer this is a good deal. You actually get a 1st quality guitar for an FRG price. I even had a dealer advertise a used guitar for a good price. I called to buy it and he said "oops, that used one is sold, but I can sell you a brand NEW one for the same price." Well hell YEAH. But it sucks for honest dealers who are trying to run a legimate business selling 1st quality guitars for a fair profit.
My other theory: I have no proof of this, but I suspect that the factory might also mark 1st quality guitars as FRG's on occasion just to move them. I'm not accusing them of this, but I know if I was running the place and was overstocked in greenburst balladeers I'd consider putting FRG stickers on them just to blow them out. Again, if this is in fact happening, it's a potential good deal for the buyer who actually gets a 1st quality guitar (unfortunately it is green), and 5 year warranty.
Dave |
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Location: south east Michigan | Hey Miles...
Tuppy's answer should go into that FAQ section you have been thinking about. |
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Posts: 75
Location: Portland, OR | As previously said, you definatley need to call the store to find out what the deal is exactly. I have purchased an FRG priced guitar, and after calling, found out it was not an FRG. If it is an FRG though, it may just be for small cosmetic reasons - so you get a good deal if you can live with a little blemish on your guitar. I think the dealer should be able to tell you what makes it an FRG. As Tupperware said, this kind of pricing does end up hurting honest smaller dealers.. but seroiusly, the internet is doing this to every business and there is really nothing you can do about it.. If you have the extra money and want to support your local business that's great.. if the money isn't stockpiled under your mattress, get the great deal on the guitar and be phsyched. Everyone, be it a consumer or a business has a bottom line.. just figure out where yours is! |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Tupperware:
My other theory: I have no proof of this, but I suspect that the factory might also mark 1st quality guitars as FRG's on occasion just to move them. This was asked point-blank last May, and Rick and Frank denied it. |
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Location: Orange County, California | Yeah, they also deny the existence of.... Oh, this isn't going to be helpful, nor does it have anything to do with the FRG issue. Sorry. ;) :p ;) :p |
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Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | I've owned several FRGs and NEVER had an issue with any of them. Only one of them could I even find the flaw with and it was so insignificant that I almost missed it with my fine toothed comb. They are excellent values. |
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Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Tup,
What's a MAP restriction? |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Originally posted by richardd:
Well I'm not loosing any sleep over it, I just wondered how a new guitar could be described as factory recoditioned. I guess I wonder why you don't go to the source instead of bringing it here. The source should be able to tell you all about the guitar in question.
tuppy is accurate. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Come on, Al. You know we enjoy getting on this board more than making phone calls. Some of us enjoy it more than playing guitars. I'd have to take the laptop of my shrinking lap, get off my butt and out of the easy chair, walk 10 or 15 feet to the phone and then look up the number and push all those buttons. Just too strenuous. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | You can usually get an answer on the OFC (right or wrong) within minutes of posting.
Sending emails to the source "might" result in an answer days later or maybe never. |
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Location: NJ | unfortunately this is a rather sore topic which can result in bashing and I just want that to not be the way it goes on the board |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Erniewan:
Tup,
What's a MAP restriction? Inquiring Minds want to know! Meaning; I wanna know too! |
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Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | MAP = minimum advertised price |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Originally posted by Tupperware:
My other theory: I have no proof of this, but I suspect that the factory might also mark 1st quality guitars as FRG's on occasion just to move them. This was asked point-blank last May, and Rick and Frank denied it.
I agree with Al, this is a touchy subject and I'll drop it. Last comment, I have purchased two FRG guitars over the years from a trusted dealer at a fair price. I was completely satisfied with both purchases.
Dave |
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Posts: 651
Location: Australia | I'm not trying to open a can of worms here.
I just wanted to know how a new guitar can be an factory reconditioned one. That it's a new guitar will small inperfections makes sense and answers my questions.
My question was general and not about Bobby's guitar specifically. I just used that as an example.
Case closed. |
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September 2006
Posts: 54
Location: Taiwan | Richard - if you haven't emailed Bro Bobby, do so. I emailed the same question to him and he responded promptly to clarify. You can have faith in his response. |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I bought an FRG 2005ES that had issues with the neck. When I enquired at the mothership, they told me that the guitar went out as an FRG due to cosmetic imperfections. The neck problem wasn't an FRG issue, just my dumb bad luck.
I've been over it with a fine tooth comb and all I could find was a nick in the 'snowplough' that had been very well repaired - almost invisible. Whether that is the imperfection they are referring to or not, I'll never know. It is much less of an eyesore than the ding I have since put in the heel when she fell over. I bought a Hercules 2 days later.
Takes a bit of blood, sweat and tears to get that damn FRG sticker off completely. |
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Posts: 1138
Location: CT | Originally posted by alpep:
unfortunately this is a rather sore topic... You know what else is a sore topic? This thing on
the back of my neck that....oh, wait - wrong board.. |
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New Guitar or FRG ?