Klarinet Archive - Posting 000449.txt from 2004/02
From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Costco Clarinets!!!
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 11:26:07 -0500
Sounds good - go for it.
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
-----Original Message-----
From: R. Williams [mailto:rwilliams@-----.net]
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 10:16 AM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Costco Clarinets!!!
This entire discussion strikes me as "Deja Vu" all over again. The =
comment=20
that Costco doesn't care because it is in the business of selling =
product=20
is wrong. It is specifically because Costco is in the business of =
selling=20
products that they do care, but then they aren't professional players =
and=20
educators. Comments such as that are no different than saying, "so and =
so=20
doesn't care about the quality of their music because they are in the=20
business of making music." Sounds silly doesn't it?
So the question becomes; "how do you get Costco to sell clarinets that =
will=20
do the job and not hinder students who buy them?" That is the question=20
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=20
community devoted to the clarinet. The approximately 1000 members of =
this=20
community has educators who are involved at all levels of teaching from=20
primary school through graduate programs, school band=20
directors, professional musicians, symphony orchestra members, =
recording=20
artists etc. from around the world. Many of the members belong to =
various=20
professional organizations and their influence is wide and far reaching.
The specific issue concerning Costco is the clarinet your company is=20
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=20
unplayable by the individuals who purchase it. The problem is that the=20
purchasers are usually the parents of beginning students in middle and =
HS=20
programs. The use of these clarinets becomes a problem for both the=20
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=20
young players who may simply quit. I noticed on Costco's website that =
your=20
company sponsors an educational grant program for under represented=20
students, therefore I know Costco has a vested interest in education and =
would not knowingly hamper the educational progress of students, but =
that=20
is exactly what you are doing by selling sub standard instruments to=20
uninformed parents.
I personally understand price points and therefore would suggest that=20
members in the clarinet community could suggest alternative instruments=20
that are serviceable and also meet your requirements. Issue solved.
I sincerely hope you will take the time to consider these concerns. =
This=20
is becoming a major contention with many of the educators and the rest =
of=20
us share their concerns. I am afraid that if this letter is not =
responded=20
to in a positive fashion, that the members will go too their other=20
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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