Klarinet Archive - Posting 000475.txt from 2004/02

From: "Ginger Hill" <Gigi1182@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Costco Clarinets!!!
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 00:09:35 -0500

I definitely agree- I work for Sam Ash Music in Tampa (if you live near
tampa drop in!) :)- I work in the band department, and we get in these
horrid things all the time. I cringe every time I see a parent bring in
a case. It's SO HARD to tell a customer "you bought a piece of crap",
because they think they bought a "nice clarinet". Some people DO think
we come off as snobs "not wanting to fix instruments but sell OUR
expensive stuff"... Nah, it's just that there is NO HOPE in fixing one
of these chinese disastors. China makes good violins, but they are
severely lacking in the band department.

Just my two-cents :)
~Ginger

-----Original Message-----
From: DWH [mailto:dhatfield@-----.org]
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 5:28 PM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Costco Clarinets!!!

Having worked for a music dealer and having to deal with parents over
these, I agree, Bill. We DID institute a no-repair policy, along with
the four other music dealers in the area, and it dealt with instruments
made in minland China. The store (when I was there) was the first
Jupiter dealer in the state, and with a few rare exceptions had no
trouble with their stuff. After our repair tech melted a key on a Jimyin
clarinet trying to replace a pad, and had a no-name/no-serial number
flute from Sam's practiacally disentegrate in front of a customer in our
shop one afternoon, that was enough. Pawn shops can be just as bad, but
we actually ended up doing repair work for one in return for leting us
sell vintage instruments for them.

Don

> These Chinese junk horns are putting a real crimp on the legitimate
> band instrument business. As a School Services Representative
> (roadman), I see so many shiny new First Act, Simba, Harmony, etc.
> instruments out there in the hands of young children who don't know
> any better, and will soon
become
> frustrated and quit band because they cannot play, thinking it is
> THEIR fault. How are they to know that BENNY GOODMAN could not have
> made one of those things play! We are trying to institute a policy of

> not accepting them for repair, since parts cannot be obtained, keys
> melt if you try to solder them, etc. "Take it back to Sam's
> Club/Wal-mart/Costco/Penney's where you got it." Bill Hausmann

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