Klarinet Archive - Posting 000152.txt from 2005/08

From: "Hinsons" <bud@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re:instrument shops (was sympathy)
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 12:10:46 -0400

Something not touched on is the evolving process of instrument purchase and
service via the internet. By using the computer I have been able to turn my
hobby of clarinet repair into a full time enterprise since I can market my
wares from home. What often happens to me is I'll sell a rebuilt clarinet
on ebay and end up with a new customer who often will buy a second and
sometimes third and even fourth by dealing directly through email, USPS,UPS
ect...At other times people who don't succeed in winning an auction will
email and I'll end up sending another clarinet or two on approval. As far as
the trust issue...my ebay feedback profile gives my prospective customers a
picture of how I've treated others...and by being trustworthy and
maintaining my standards, I build long lasting, although long distance
relationships.
Donald Hinson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Margaret Thornhill" <clarinetstudio@-----.net>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 11:47 AM
Subject: [kl] Re:instrument shops (was sympathy)

> 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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