Klarinet Archive - Posting 000245.txt from 1999/03

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Carl Fischer No More (YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL!)
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999 16:39:49 -0500

Sheet music has a much smaller profit margin than band instrument sales.
In the very large stores, piano sales are usually the big bread winner.

When the general public buys its instruments from discount mail order
houses and then even orders small accessories items such as reeds at
bare bones prices from discount sources, something has to go. What
usually goes first is that hundred or so thousand dollar inventory of
sheet music and the knowledgable personel that run and stock this facet
of a music store with the _good stuff_.

A broad range of accessories, mouthpieces, reeds and similar products
are the next to go.

The third loss, unless it is extremely well managed and staffed by
really fine repairmen, is the instrument repair department.

All that is required to keep the doors open for a retail store are sales
and profit margins that will pay the property taxes or the rent, the
insurance, the lights, the phone, Yellow Page Adds, the book keepers,
wages for employees etc., etc., etc.

We, the buying public seem to want it all. We want the cheapest price
and the best service. Such an equation just doesn't work.

If you appreciate having a store with a wonderful selection of music at
your disposal, buy your instruments there. If you rely upon a great
repairman that works in that store, buy your instruments, reeds and
accessories there. If price is all you want to consider, then don't moan
when you end up having to do all of your business from catalogs or over
the internet or ship your horn out of town to get good repair work.

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