Ibanez, if you only read one thread here make it this one !!

[chaos731]

Originally Posted by Rich

Anybody have any better suggestions, I'm all ears. But in 10 years of people sending USD in the mail not once has it ever been lost, and many people actually prefer the option, go figure.

Yeah, interestingly, I have bought and sold stuff online for a really long time (predating paypal), and years before that just mail order stuff, and I've never, ever had a problem with sending cash in the mail. Yet, for some reason, I still don't like doing it. It's pounded into our heads, I guess.

Still, whether or not Ibanez Rules ever takes credit cards for orders less than $100, and whether or not it ever takes those orders for int'l customers, there ARE currently options in place for everyone who might want to shop there...even if they're not fully customized to the whims and preferences of every single obsessive Ibby-head under the sun. So Rich, you clearly have, at least, a solid working relationship with the parts guys at HUSA...what do you think the holdup might be?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jemsite

Rich, correct me if i'm wrong, but you're using a more local bank solution to CC processing. To do this, you really should considering using something like authorize.net (gateway) and a low cost merchant account that interfaces the gateway to your local bank. That eliminates most chances of fraud and can take orders (visa, mc, discover, amex) worldwide. You can run a free virtual terminal to process cc orders based on faxed or paper/verbal orders... glen

I think you'll pretty much find most merchant accounts are a local bank to some degree. I had to look at mine just to remember. My reseller is local, which is why I used them, I could sit down and ask 50 questions. My processor is IRN in NY, and the merchant bank in Palm Desert Nat.

I have a web portal option as part of my package at no extra fee. That is not the problem. The problem is when you have too high a percentage of international charges. I do not run that many charges and a signle guitar a month would be average. So, if I add a bunch of Inter CC parts orders on top of it, I'm already shot.

The real problem, as it's been explained to me is, the banks refuse to be left on the hook for international chargebacks that can come in even 5 years to forever down the road. You could have long left the bank and leaving them fully responsible for the dough. Add the high rate a Inter CC fraud and the banks want you to limit the amount you are involved in or they'll just flat out drop you. Pretty much the same situation I always had with bandwidth

Add to that I get a lot of overseas inquiries from people that don't have a credit card, Paypal not available in thier country, and they want to know how they can pay!

Originally Posted by chaos731

Yeah, interestingly, I have bought and sold stuff online for a really long time (predating paypal), and years before that just mail order stuff, and I've never, ever had a problem with sending cash in the mail. Yet, for some reason, I still don't like doing it. It's pounded into our heads, I guess.

Still, whether or not Ibanez Rules ever takes credit cards for orders less than $100, and whether or not it ever takes those orders for int'l customers, there ARE currently options in place for everyone who might want to shop there...even if they're not fully customized to the whims and preferences of every single obsessive Ibby-head under the sun. So Rich, you clearly have, at least, a solid working relationship with the parts guys at HUSA...what do you think the holdup might be?

Like the points I brought up earlier, unless there's some agreement in place I'm not aware of [and why would I be] any distributor is only allowed to sell and ship into it's own territory. [2 territories in the US of course].

Now consider there are litteraly thousands of SKU's. It is by and large a MASSIVE amount of IT work.

Now you come to the inventory management issues and I can tell you from experience, it is not very good. As I said earlier, I can order 30 SKU's and if I get 14 I'm probably returning 2 anyway [and that's a generous number, I've had orders where I was returning 6 SKU's for being the wrong part, the wrong country, or just plain wrong]

Somebody is going to have to staff the questions of what exactly is the part they need or want, and then, they're just going to sell the part. I can't tell you how many times customers try to order knife edges because they have a tuning issue, and spending money on parts is what they think they need to fix it when that is the LAST thing you need. I'll at least try and make an effort to see that what is being ordered is actually needed

Bottom line, your guess is as good as mine!

[jemsite]

the local systems just can't handle e-commerce or online carts. the systems i spoke of are no problem, if you were so inclined to switch ... glen

[Rich]

IRN is not exactly a "local system"

Are you running a majority on international charges thru this so that you know for a fact first hand this is acceptible to them?

[Rich]

I'm reading it, first thing that comes to mind is how I have to ship to avoid the chargeback, and international shipping with address confirmation is pretty much restricted to Express. I'd probably have to put some limit of regular mail just for peace of mind.

Not to even mention the $495 setup fee :WOOT:

[Rich]

They're only a gateway. Everything goes back throuh your own merchant account.

[jemsite]

IRN? i'll email you a different system and authorized reseller for authorize.net who is excellent for worldwide e-commerce. minimal setup fees.

avoiding chargebacks mostly involves posting terms that are visible before money collected then following up with terms. terms can be ANYTHING YOU WANT but must be followed out to the letter (or a customer can chargback successfully) ... glen

[Rich]

Newsflash, customer can chargeback for any frivolous reason they want, and if it's Inter, they win immediately.

I'm also considering a Paypal option a friend of mine just started using for phone service where it's taken as a "donation" and thus can't be taken back or chargedback [or so I understand].

[Zepp3lin]

All I can say is if Somebody can provide an international order regarding Ibanez parts, than by all means I support it.
I know you trust me once Rich by accepting my Credit card once and I'm greatfull for that, and you already knew that it's not fraud for my case. But later on I just can't trust the postal service by putting dollars inside the envelope and post it out.

Hope things will work it out for you for your international customers, like me

[Rich]

OK, if I ran your card once, why didn't I for the nut? Did I get out of the wrong side of bed that day? [usually you just have to say Jemsite member and I'll run it, unless I'm in a really bad mood, which lets get real, happens!]

[Zepp3lin]

Originally Posted by Rich

OK, if I ran your card once, why didn't I for the nut? Did I get out of the wrong side of bed that day? [usually you just have to say Jemsite member and I'll run it, unless I'm in a really bad mood, which lets get real, happens!]

Guess, not my luck, because I did mention I'm a Jemsite member once more on the email. Nevermind whats done is done, I'm happy with my new Floyd nut for the moment, unless I feel strange and want to change my UV777 nut to an original Ibanez parts. Peace

[Pabdala]

Lets bring back the colors and the swirls. The things that really made these guitars stand out! My Ibanez sounds great and looks good, but nothing compares to the old jems with the swirls.

[psychoshredder]

okay... I think most of the people here already knew that alex skolnick re-joint testamnet for a new album 'formation of damnation'.
i don't know is he going to be full time in the band, or just doing one new album, then fade away like before??

but my point is:
don't you think is it the right time for Ibanez to sign alex again ?
i'm thinking :
alex skolnick + rejoint testament = re-issue 540PII is a good idea?
or make 540PII officialy his signature model?

herman lee can get the S series as his signature, so why not alex?

if alex is not interested in pointy guitars anymore, than maybe re-issue PF 300 model and make it his signature model based on PF 300 ?

just my opinion guys.. i know a lot things involved in endorsement deals, but ..? who knows?

[texshred777]

My only real complaint is that we used to have mid priced japanese models. I understand business is business, but I miss the days where a $600 guitar meant mij, with an awesome locking trem. It seems the 570 went up about 25%, with no change in quality(other than neck tenon-but of course the studs aren't locking either). If it's a prestige now, couldn't it at least have dimarzio/ibz's instead of v7/v8s? I'd seriously consider buying one even with the price increase, if at least the pickups were a bit better.

Well, I'm lying...my other complaint may be a trite one, but a $2,200 prestige model(the best us yanks get) should have real dimarzios.(I realize ibz's are actually dimarzio made. But if most of the prestige players preferred the AN or PAF/TZ setup why not model the ibz's as such, instead of a model based on a super distortion?) Why does a guitar costing $2,200 have the same pickups as an $1,100 model ? I'd hate to void a warranty to get what was standard just a few years ago. If we can't get j customs (w/out international shipping from a japanese dealer) with the real thing, help us out a bit.

On the positive, HUGE praise for improving the trems on korean models.

[texshred777]

One more. I love the look of the new Giger RG. But for $1300 at least an edge pro(and maybe dimarzio/ibz pickups). Hey, a fancy case is great, but I'm sure more players are concerned with playability and tone than a pretty resting place.