Klarinet Archive - Posting 000151.txt from 2005/08

From: "Margaret Thornhill" <clarinetstudio@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re:instrument shops (was sympathy)
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 11:48:01 -0400

Ah, Howarths!
Matthew, the difference is not a matter of "going for the absolute cheapest"
but in the decline of relationships (and trust) between tradespeople and
customers here. (And I would be surprised if the same problem hasn't started
in the UK--certainly when I lived there in 91, people preferred shopping at
Tesco to patronizing the local greengrocer). We have few quality instrument
shops any more, even in the biggest cities, but a client who took care to
build a relationship with the ones that exist would probably be able to get
a loaner while an instrument that was purchased at the store was being
repaired there. The best shops will let you take instruments home on
approval for purchase (if they have your credit card information).

You've touched on the main problem, imo, with online instrument
shopping--lack of personal contact, (often just a function of distance.)
However, I was glad to know how well WWBW honors their warantees.

Margaret

www.margaretthornhill.com

> Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 23:12:37 +0100
> To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> From: "Matthew Lloyd" <matthew@-----.uk>
> Subject: RE: [kl] Sympathy, please...
> Message-ID: <007e01c59df8$9e6c38f0$0202a8c0@Notebook>
>
> Lots of sympathy..........
>
> I would expect a decent shop to offer to lend you a clarinet. Not a
> horn, as you can't play that I presume, being a clarinettist!
>
> Seriously though, if WWBW don't give you one, then come here and tell
> us. And all you Americans will know where not to shop.
>
> I had a gorgeous Bb RC from Howarths in London for some months on
> approval - and they'd then not sold me a single clarinet! I bought it in
> the end though..... (and a couple of others.....) Surely there is
> somewhere with customer service of that level over there? Or do you all
> go for the absolute cheapest?
>
> Matthew
>

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