Klarinet Archive - Posting 000491.txt from 2001/12

From: David Renaud <manonrivet@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: [kl] Need Advice
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 12:23:58 -0500

Natalie

I commend your mother for purchasing an instrument for you.
I recall my first clarinet came after a year saving for it at
a part time minimum wage student job. The support in spirit you are
getting will be a great asset throughout your training in the years to
come. Good for her.

Many non musicians don't see the investment value
of high end instruments as musicians do since most of what we
buy is so disposable. The clarinet is not just another expense like
a car that will be towed away in a decade, or a computer that
may be thrown out in five years. It is a captial investment asset and a
profession tool that will appreciate in value. My first R13 clarinet cost
me $650 Canadian new, and could now sell used for $1200-$1500.
My first tenor sax was $750 new , now it could sell used for $2500
easily as the new one is $5900 plus taxes.

Suggestions:

1) Offer to pay the restocking cost.
If the cash is not there pay your parents off over a year.
I recently purchased a viola my daughter wanted. I'm having
her pay off half the value of her prized find over time. She has
a small cash flow. I find some value in her "owning" it.

2) Write the store manager a letter, and deliver it in person.

Businesses wish to discourage people from lightly
ordering items, thinking they can try them out, and
change their minds, thus the policy.

The store owner sets the rules, he can and will bend from time to time.
The sales people don't have the same authority to bend a bit.

Explain that it was for Christmas, so you could not go into the store
yourself, it was through a third party. Tell him you aspire to study
clarinet seriously, and really had your heart set on the R13 from
the beginning. And tell him how much you will appreciate this through
the decades to come, as you shop for supplies for yourself and
possibly your students. Your mother may have felt awkward about
asking, and have spoke with a sales person briefly with little in
depth exchange, and not with the store owner.
You write and deliver the letter, don't let you mom have to do it.

3) You could offer the manger a compromise and suggest that instead of
paying the $200 restocking fee, you purchase $200 of additional
additional supplies,reeds,stand.... This only produces profit of
a portion of the $200, but it does demontrate how earnest you
are with cold cash and gives him something. You have to purchase
the supplies in the long run anyway.

4) If all else fails, all is not lost. You have an instrument as a gift.
The value will still be there when you upgrade.
Most of all show mother how you appreciate her efforts, for the
journey ahead is long, and the support is a blessing.

Hope some of these thoughts may help..

Cheers
Dave Renaud
Canada

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