Klarinet Archive - Posting 000905.txt from 1998/08
From: ROBERT ABRAHAM <rkabear@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Clarinet Purchases
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1998 08:23:32 -0400
This is in response to a misunderstanding of my post from a person on the list. I am reprinting it and clarifying it, so no one else misunderstands my motives.
I said previously in a post to try many clarinets, but also mentioned mail order places like Woodwind and Brasswind and Frederick Weiner Music as lower cost options to a Mom and Pop store for buying. *I WAS IN NO WAY SUGGESTING TRYING HORNS OUT AT A LOCAL STORE, THEN BUYING THEM ELSEWHERE.* Nor did I leave out the qualifier like *MOST* Mom and Pop stores are more expensive than mail order places. There are local stores that are quite reasonable. I know of many reasonable stores in many states...and also know of many that are not reasonable in their pricing. My suggestion of the mail order companies as opposed to the local store is simple. If you have a reasonably priced local store where you can try out a few horns and choose one at a good price, DO SO. If not, or you just like the idea of having a two year crack warranty, which most local stores would not have, try the mail order services. You can have money on a credit card held for three or four instruments' cost and try them out at home together. Then when you send the ones back you don't like, you will have the $ released from your credit card except for the one that you buy. You only loose the shipping costs. This is an accepted policy at mail order companies, and they will accomodate you trying multiple horns out at the same time. PLEASE do not try horns out at a local store and then buy mail order. It is unfair to the local business, PLUS the horn you get from mail order may play differently than the one you tried out anyway. EACH and EVERY horn is different, so only buy a horn you have test driven.
As for the reprint of this e-mail I got from Steve Wells privately, I don't appreciate people misreading my posts, and then *trying* to trick me by getting information and reposting it in an attempt to make me look bad, when I had good motives of generosity in trying to help a fellow musician link up with companies they would feel comfortable with. I wholeheartedly was willing to give a list of good local stores in the many states I have lived in which might have been closer to you, or given you contact names of local musicians who would know the local stores *who could sell you a clarinet.*
I don't take this matter lightly, and my generosity will not be bestowed on you again, Steve. I find your misinterpretation and blackmail tactics for my reputation (which was uncalled for) unacceptable. Please do not address me again. My reputation is impeccable. I would *NEVER* suggest a notion of trying a horn (or any other item, for that matter) at a store, knowledgibly wasting their time and energy, and then buying from a cheaper vendor. If a store was too high, I wouldn't waste their time, nor mine. I am truly offended by your actions.
In closing, if someone disagrees with a posting from me, PLEASE send it to the list. Give me a chance to clarify my position you disagree with. If you disagree with my post, others probably do too. If it a misunderstanding, I would like to clarify it for everyone that saw my posting. I would give someone else the benefit of the doubt and a chance to clarify their posting if I misunderstood. I believe deserve the same.
Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds/Computer Geek
New York City
**********************************************************************
Kelly,
I laid out the snare, and you partook of its fruit.
Kelly said:
>What state do you live in? I can make some suggestions about places to go. The best thing is to try them side by side in a store.
>*********************************************************************
Steve had earlier asked:
>> When you suggest trying out many horns, where do you suggest these horns come from?
I've sent these posts to you privately, because I'd like to help
re-orient some of your thoughts and help you realize what you are
actually accomplishing.
Your first post said to try out lots of horns. Here you've said to go to a local store to do that. Your first post said that after trying out a number of instruments, you recommended that the place to get an
instrument was the Woodwind or another (presumably mail-order) house.
In so doing, you are encouraging people to try out a clarinet at their local (mom and pop) store and then get the one they select from the Woodwind via mail order because of the crack-related warranty and the price instead of the local store.
If you truly don't understand what damage your recommendation does to you and other clarinetists, I would be glad to discuss this issue as an offlist communique.
If you understand what you are doing when you recommend this course of action, I will be all to glad to publicly and harshly denounce you and this practice in the clarinetists' forum.
It's your call.
Thanks.
Steve.
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