Gibson US factory raided by the FBI

[Death by Uberschall]

http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/11/17/gibson_guitars_raided_by_fbi  :doh:

 

[blue313]

"Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO [Henry Juszkiewicz] sits on the board of the Rainforest Alliance and takes the issue of certification very seriously."    :laughing7:

 

[jackthehack]

I wouldn't ordinarily defend Gibson about anything they've done since the early 70's, but given the limited granular details in the article and having some exposure previously to the world of international import/export of commodities, they may well be completely innocent and were scammed by an unscrupulous agent/importer that falsified paperwork provided to them as to the actual origin of the wood in question.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

You just blew my mind.

 

[jackthehack]

Me? I blew your mind? What are YOU smoking?

 

[-CB-]

Gibson is owned by that European outfit now.  Henry still heads up the USA operation.  I wouldn't put a thing past 'em.  They're hurting bad financially, this doesn't make it any better.

Hurting bad financially = even Guitar Center down here, Sam Ash too... you walk in, and get 40 percent off Gibson and Fender.  GC is still scamming the case, but not Sam Ash.  You can usually get 45 off with some haggle on higher end stuff.  If its been sitting, even 50 off... which means they're working on promo money only as profit.  GC is hurting, therefore Gibson is.  And all this after Gibson SCREWED all the small dealers a few years ago by walking in and demanding quarter of a million in orders, no matter how much was already on the wall, or they pull the dealership.  If they had those dealers, no doubt the sales picture would be no worse.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Me? I blew your mind? What are YOU smoking?

Camel Lights, but those were some $5 words.

 

[jackthehack]

Again, I have no love lost for Gibson. I lived with a woman for a long time that had almost 20 years experience doing import/export operations, primarily wood and fish out of New England. I've met these people. The average trader/broker is less trustworthy than your typical used car salesman.

 

[Alfang]

$5.00 words LOL, that's some funny shite

 

[dbw]

They're comin' for you next, Warmoth.  Then they're going to Orpheo's house...  :tard:

 

[Orpheo]

They're comin' for you next, Warmoth.  Then they're going to Orpheo's house...  :tard:

Here, the Dutch aren't as uptighted as the Yankees across the pond  :laughing7: Smoking marihuana is legal, saying the Queen is a twat is legal, saying the Prime Minister is a 'harry potter jerk-off' is tollerated (well... its true, right?) and drinking beer in public, even 'strong booz' is legal


so, neah, I'm not really afraid besides, it would be a waste of the woods to confiscate it and destroy them, right? then the tree would've died in vane!

 

[-CB-]

I lived with a woman for a long time that had almost 20 years experience doing import/export operations

And you wife allowed that?  Way cool!~

 

[stubhead]

Well, "sources" did say that Gibson was involved in sneaking the wood through Germany themselves... the whole notion of "conservation" is almost a farce, as what you're trying to save on bits of wood is proportionately miniscule to what we waste everywhere else. You want to conserve gasoline? Tax SUV's $15,000 a year and ban domestic & military air traffic. Stop worshiping "the lifestyles of the rich and famous" and making out that "bling" is cool... As has been proven time and again, in the Mayan culture, Easter Island, Haiti, China & everywhere else, the human species is simply not intelligent enough not to totally pig out, crash the system and start over. The CITES forest conservation act is a feel-goody liberal bill, with no real environmental impact except to turn Gibson into even bigger idiots (though that's quite an accomplishment.... :toothy12 The Japanese millionaires are still building houses out of rosewood and the Saudi princes are still squatting on solid-gold toilets to poop out their caviar.


:hello2: (Did I mention, WE'RE DOOMED....) :hello2:

(doom-de doom-doom, doom-de doom doom) :blob7:

 

[Nando Vallart]

Hell yeah!

 

[OzziePete]

Call me a liberal minded so-and-so if you must, but I tend to agree with the intentions of the CITES Treaty.

Unfortunately, with the regulations and numerous declarations etc. that must take place for legitimate business, there's plenty of room for exploitation of willing buyers of any CITES listed woods. Maybe Gibson has tried a new wholesaler and got duped? I'd like to think they wouldn't try to get around the restrictions deliberately.

The story is fairly light on the bona fides of the situation, and I guess we need some information about what exactly happened. :dontknow:

 

[Superlizard]

And all this after Gibson SCREWED all the small dealers a few years ago by walking in and demanding quarter of a million in orders, no matter how much was already on the wall, or they pull the dealership.

I remember that; a fine example of extreme business hubris.

What makes it all the more ridiculous is their product hasn't been viable for decades.

Hey - what's that flushing sound?