Klarinet Archive - Posting 000683.txt from 2000/03

From: Topper <leo_g@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] A statement to Mr. Francois Kloc
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 12:44:31 -0500

At 05:02 PM +0000 3/23/00, charette@-----.org wrote:
>You may need to re-read Francois' message re: overseas purchase. I
>couldn't find anywhere that said you couldn't purchase one overseas, only
>that if it was purchased from a non-authorized dealer that the warranty
>would be void. Maybe I missed something ...
>
>
>Mark C.

Mark,

I did read it and the implications are clear and chilling. The mention of
"purchasing overseas" was not the point. The point is::

a) Standing behind a product no matter where and who it is purchased from.
Transfer of warranty included.

It might be said that some authorized dealers may purchase Grey market
items due to the strong dollar and different prices in some countries.
A grey market item may simply be a dealer abroad who is selling an
instrument overseas to:
an authorized dealer;
an unauthorized dealer;
a consumer via email;

taking their chances in losing their dealership but that should not be
taken further and punish a player.

Most musicians are not rich at all. To save a couple hundred dollars means
a great deal. It could even mean a difference in the quality of food one
eats.

The bottom line is the purchaser player should not have to suffer for doing
something natural. If anything force the gray market source which is a
foreign dealer to stand behind the product and pay for the shipping if the
consumer complains or pull their dealership.

The serial number will show who the original dealer is and that is the
responsible party. Not the player.

---------------
b. Establishing a system certifying all used instruments (for a fee):
authorized or gray market.

This would entail removing all keys and taking careful measure of full
length of bore (upper & lower joints) and tone holes; and comparing with
established parameters provided by Buffet.
Also examination of position and level of key cups. Please allow for
tolerance and shrinkage. Final determination of tampering should come from
a final check by impartial and objective Buffet experts in France.

---------------

Finally:

It is the company's responsibility to be a manufacturer not the US Customs
Services.
It is understandable that Buffet would want to protect their dealers but
this in not the way to do it.

Some players will simply seek out a better warranty.

In closing Buffet should pre-turn, pre-bore bore and pre-cut tone holes;
bind; subject them to an artificial moisture/dryness environment; oil them
periodically. Give them a final cut/polish; age again then check; and drill
set posts, spring, key-up, and adjust tension; then grade and match; pad -
play - strobe, and offer as a superior line.

The number 13 has been unlucky for me and I do not suffer from
triscadeccaphobia. :-)

Leonard Georges Carroll

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