Klarinet Archive - Posting 000445.txt from 2004/02

From: "R. Williams" <rwilliams@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Costco Clarinets!!!
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 10:17:30 -0500

This entire discussion strikes me as "Deja Vu" all over again. The comment
that Costco doesn't care because it is in the business of selling product
is wrong. It is specifically because Costco is in the business of selling
products that they do care, but then they aren't professional players and
educators. Comments such as that are no different than saying, "so and so
doesn't care about the quality of their music because they are in the
business of making music." Sounds silly doesn't it?

So the question becomes; "how do you get Costco to sell clarinets that will
do the job and not hinder students who buy them?" That is the question
right? Here is exactly how I'd do it.

Mr. James D. Sinegal
President, CEO/Director
COSTCO, INC
PO Box 34331
Seattle, WA 98124

Dear Mr. Sinegal:
I wanted to alert you to a developing issue. I belong to an Internet
community devoted to the clarinet. The approximately 1000 members of this
community has educators who are involved at all levels of teaching from
primary school through graduate programs, school band
directors, professional musicians, symphony orchestra members, recording
artists etc. from around the world. Many of the members belong to various
professional organizations and their influence is wide and far reaching.

The specific issue concerning Costco is the clarinet your company is
selling via its 318 outlets in the US, the 62 locations in Canada and 15
locations in the UK. The instrument is sadly substandard and largely
unplayable by the individuals who purchase it. The problem is that the
purchasers are usually the parents of beginning students in middle and HS
programs. The use of these clarinets becomes a problem for both the
student, the music teacher and band directors.

Learning to play a clarinet is a difficult task even when the instrument
works properly, a sub standard clarinet is additionally discouraging to
young players who may simply quit. I noticed on Costco's website that your
company sponsors an educational grant program for under represented
students, therefore I know Costco has a vested interest in education and
would not knowingly hamper the educational progress of students, but that
is exactly what you are doing by selling sub standard instruments to
uninformed parents.

I personally understand price points and therefore would suggest that
members in the clarinet community could suggest alternative instruments
that are serviceable and also meet your requirements. Issue solved.

I sincerely hope you will take the time to consider these concerns. This
is becoming a major contention with many of the educators and the rest of
us share their concerns. I am afraid that if this letter is not responded
to in a positive fashion, that the members will go too their other
organizations to organize a response that is not beneficial to anyone.

Feel free to contact me and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Rick Williams, MS, MBA
President-CEO

I'll mail it and see what happens. Any comments or additions before I do?

RW

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