Klarinet Archive - Posting 000087.txt from 2003/11

From: CBA <clarinet10001@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Authentic Buffet Bell
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 15:44:57 -0500

Nancy,

I would require a Buffet bell be either supplied from their
stock, or an order be made from the store for one. The only
caveat would be if this instrument was purchased "as is." If it
is sold as a Buffet instrument, it should be a Buffet
instrument, through and through.

As for the $1000 R-13, does this student not play well? I can't
understand anyone with even a short playing background in
clarinet would purchase an instrument without playing it. If the
student DID try it, and it didn't play, I can't see why they
bought it.

We always assume that a used instrument is going to require
$300-450 in overhaul charges, but you have to know if the
instrument is worth buying before the overhaul. If the
instrument is unplayable, the instrument should go back to the
store. I think it should be the student's fight (and the
parent's fight, if the student is young.) There is something to
be said about common sense. People don't buy used cars that do
not drive, and THEN complain about it after the fact that they
can't drive away.

Although I *almost always* go to bat for my students for being
taken advantage of, I am not fully sure, without more knowledge
of the situation at the time of the purchase, whether this could
actually be considered being taken advantage of. $1000 for a
used R-13 from a *retail* establishment isn't a price for a
fully playable R-13, in my eyes. I would have assumed $1200-1500
if it was in fully playable condition from a RETAIL
establishment. $1000 from a *private* sale for a functional R-13
is more probable. I think the student should have to deal with
their purchase, and spend the money to get an overhaul to get it
in running condition.

All this said, the Buffet bell *should* be necessary for the
purchade to be "right" in my eyes, so the store should provide
the Buffet bell. I would go back and demand a Buffet bell, or a
$150-200 reduction in price for the lack of a legitimate R-13
bell. If they couldn't do that, they should take the instrument
back. If they do comply with the request for a Buffet bell, I
think it is the student that needs to step up to the plate and
fix the horn.

Kelly Abraham
Clarinet and Saxophone - New York City
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--- "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu> wrote:
> A student purchased a used R-13 ($1000) from a local store
> with a good reputation, up to this point. The bell is not
> stamped Buffet. There is no stamp of any sort on it. How
> many think it is a Buffet bell? Should he demand a Buffet
> bell, seeing as that is what was supposed to have been sold to
> him? The clarinet leaks like a sieve. He took it back to the
> store and they replaced three pads. Every pad is black and
> the clarinet has corks that are in bad condition and need to
> be replaced. If I had been present, I would have advised
> against buying this clarinet. Please give me some feedback.
>
> Nancy
>
> Nancy E. Buckman, CPO, AFO, Technical Assistant
> School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
> Anne Arundel Community College
> Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
> Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
> E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu

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