Klarinet Archive - Posting 000625.txt from 1998/01

From: lanewhite@-----.com (Lane G White)
Subj: Re: Beginner Beginner teacher questions
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 16:52:04 -0500

On Tue, 13 Jan 1998 08:04:09 -0600 (CST) Roger Garrett
<rgarrett@-----.edu> writes:

>> Retail stores have considerably higher overhead than mail order
>places. We
>> try to offer service to make it worthwhile. $95 is standard retail
>price
>> for Vandoren mouthpieces. Don't get me wrong. I used to buy a lot
>of mail
>> order stuff from WW/BW and National Music Supply, but at the time I
>lived
>> two hours drive away from the nearest music store.
>
>Bill's reasoning is quite good. Unfortunately, for the consumer, $95
>vs.
>$55 is almost another mouthpiece. It's a tough choice
>sometimes....especially when you want and need service from the local
>store. It isn't always their fault, and there are those times that
>you

Not to keep this going too long, but I do want to add that in my case,
the local music store has lost me on the mouthpiece issue because they
don't stock anything and aren't knowledgable about them. I have some very
good friends at that store, and routinely do just what you are saying:
pay more for reeds, swabs, music, etc. - support them because they
support me. And of course they get all my repair business. I recommend
to all my students that they do the same. While I tend to scrounge for
used instruments myself, I heartily recommend this store for students who
might be in the market for a new one - I prefer that they *not* buy an
instrument from a mail-order company.

When it comes to mouthpieces, however, I cannot think up a good argument
as to why my student should pay double - and still not get to try
several, and still wait a week. Sorry.

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