Klarinet Archive - Posting 001525.txt from 1998/05

From: dnaden <dnaden@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Contrabass Price Question, etc...
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 17:40:41 -0400

Matt--

Bill Hausmann is totally correct. For any school or government agency--federal,
state or local--to obtain such discounts on equipment, a purchase order is
usually required (over 90% of the time). For any individual to purchase personal
items in this manner is technically fraud, unless the agency has a means by which
that person can reimburse the agency, and usually up front. Most agencies do not
have such a system. Therefore, for you to order an instrument through the school
to take advantage of the discount can be considered fraud. Also, departments do
not set the purchasing policy for a school or agency. Such policy is set by the
purchasing department or division, a finance department or higher.

You may see no problem with buying an instrument in this way, and that's
understandable since you obviously do not know the details of such procedures.
However, I can tell you that it's these kinds of actions that can bring the
credibility of any agency into question.

In your reply, you referenced that some companies offer the same discounts to
teachers as to schools. That's the way to do it with no problems, and most of us
do it. My only request to you, as that you clarified what you meant in the post
that I'm responding to, is that in your next post, please be more clear so that
you are not misunderstood.

David S. Naden, Adminsitrative Analyst
City of Carson, California

Matthew Hanson wrote:

> Bill Hausmann wrote:
> >
> > At 12:21 PM 5/29/98 -0500, Matthew Hanson wrote:
> > >...Oh, and yes, you can get a Selmer for a tad less than 20 grand. Even
> > >less if you could get it through a school with their discount!
> > >hope this helps, and feel free to email me with any questions...
> >
> > In order to get the school discount, the dealer must be provided with a
> > valid purchase order from the school. If you know schools who cut official
> > school purchase orders so private individuals can get a price break, they
> > could get in serious trouble. Sounds like FRAUD to me!
> >
> Mr. Hausmann,
> I think this was a very rude way for you to respond to my post.
> While it may not be completely right, I see no problem with college
> educators buying expensive instruments through their school.
> Especially with departmental authorization. If I could save $6000 on a
> contra clarinet, and the option was there, I'd most likely do it.
> Yes, prices for other instruments are high too, but $15,000-$20,000 for
> an instrument that will most likely never play a lick of melody in its
> life? I'll take the discount. ...no fraud here.
> Some mail order companies allow the same percentage discounts for
> teachers as they do for schools. This was basically what I was talking
> about in the first place, not fraud.
> good day,
> Matthew Hanson
>
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