Klarinet Archive - Posting 000474.txt from 1999/07

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Artist quality instruments from local stores
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 14:08:52 -0400

I have a few thoughts on the way we do business.

E-commerce is starting to change the way be buy. Mail order and brick and
mortar have always been at opposite ends of the spectrum. Electronic commerce
is an instantaneous twist to what Sears did at the turn of the century to bring
big city goods to rural Americans.

Quite frankly, the playing field is far from level. The most disturbing thing
about what e-commerce is doing to our villages, towns and cities is avoiding
the local and state taxes. Many small music stores, and big ones too, loose
sales because the difference is paying or not paying taxes. Someone, somehow
has to pay taxes for services expected. What will we do when "Main Street" is
all boarded up and we don't have money for schools, libraries, street cleaning
and everything else? We will all be charged---somehow and some way. The social
interaction of our communities will also change. It might come to a point where
all that will be down town will be drive through fast food places.

Patricia Smith wrote:

> Bill, I'm glad you described your situation in your stores. I think
> sometimes all of us forget that music stores have to make money to stay in
> business, and that inventory not sold is money that cannot be used in doing
> business. I took a beginning business course this past winter, along with
> beginning accounting, and though by no means knowlegeable, I certainly
> gained an understanding of how any business must operate in order to serve
> its customers and continue to make a living and a profit for it's owner(s).
> I wonder if it would be possible for, perhaps, a local retailer to enter
> into some sort of service agreement with a mail-order seller of horns, so
> that the buyer of such a horn could get it serviced locally, AND the local
> repair provider would be paid a reasonable price for doing the work, either
> as an independent contractor, by the piece or, not likely, by labor time.
> Also, the agreement could be between the repair provider and the mail order
> house, with the provider acting as an independent contractor, paying perhaps
> a small fee to the local store for use of space and materials; or, the
> agreement could be between the mail order house and the store, with the mail
> order house providing a service addendum to the customer, then paying most
> of that to the local store, with the repair provider remaining a shop
> employee.
> Just some thoughts...I hope all of you stay in business, because none of us
> would get far without the choices you all afford usThe only people I'd ever
> wish out of business would be those who do not serve their
> clientele...(those'shops' you spoke of...)
> Patty Smith

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