The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-01-16 22:54
Hi everybody, I'm posting the below in hopes that it may be useful information:
Store Phone # Max # Period Handling Cleaning Payment Late
Weiner 800-622-cork (3) 5 days* $3/order $1.00/ea In Full 20%
Alphin 781-449-4197 (5) 7 days* None None In Full $10/
each
IMS 800-762-1116 (3) 14 days* None $3/ea if In Full 20%
necessary
WWBW 800-348-5003 (4) 10 days* None $3.50/ea* In Full $10/
$7.50/ea* or 25% each
Muncy 800-333-6415 (3) 14 days* None $3.00/ea* In Full $20*
$10.00/ea*
Trial periods:
1)Weiner: From my understanding, they want them BACK in 5 days. (2days shipping each way and 1 day trial. Each person game me a slightly different version and their written policy is also a little confusing to me.)
2)Alphin: After speaking to Albert today, he wants them BACK in 7 days. He doesn’t believe that a person needs more than 1 or 2 days to make a decision.
3)IMS: Return package must be postmarked within 14 days of invoice date (per their catalog). If you call before the 14th day, they will extend you another 7 days at no charge. No returns accepted after 30 days. (I just spoke with an IMS salesperson, they want them BACK in 14 days.) Is this confusing????
4)WWBW: Return package must be postmarked by the 10th day of RECEIVING the mpcs for trial.
5)Muncy: All I was told was that they have a 14 day trial period. According to their catalog: “Trials returned after the due date on your invoice and before 30 days will be charged a $20.00 extension fee. No merchandise is returnable after 30 days.”
Almost all of the catalogs mentioned about a 3 week delay in getting your refund. However, from personal experience with IMS, more than once I have had to wait a full 3 months to get my refund (and I have the paperwork to prove it.)
Different Cleaning Fees:
1)IMS: According to their catalog: “Clean & remove patches or tape on mpcs you return or you will be charged $3.00 per mpc.” So, it appears, if you send them back clean, there is no cleaning fee assessed.
2)WWBW: $3.50/ea for mpcs under $300.00. $10.00/ea for those over $300.00.
3)Muncy: $3.00/ea for mpcs under $200.00. $10.00/ea for those over $200.00.
Note: it appears that all suppliers want to be told specifically that the mpcs are being purchased on a TRIAL BASIS.
Some suppliers give explicit instructions when you receive their merchandise as to how to return it properly. Others may simply post a “date due back” on the invoice.
I put the above together because everyone’s policy seemed to be different and I wanted to figure out who basically had the best trial period policy. (Total cost w/shipping and amount of actual time available to try out the mpcs.)
I do not claim the above to be 100% accurate, but it’s as accurate as the info available to me allows it to be. If you see any errors or have experienced anything that contradicts the above info, please post your experience.
This posting was simply meant to be a guide. I hope you find it useful (or at least interesting).
Please feel free to post info from other suppliers.
Dan
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-01-16 22:58
I appologize for the top portion of the above post. What came out in the post didn't look like what was in my message screen.
Hope you can figure it out OK.
Dan
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-01-16 23:27
This is a very helpful chart! :-) I wish this was around when I first started trying to find the best place to try some mouthpieces through!
BTW, Muncy's due date for trials is 14 days after they ship the mpc, but the mpc only needs to be postmarked by the due date.
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-01-17 01:37
Dan,
I had a trial with Weiner about 2 months ago. One day to try doesn't sound right. It may be 3 days to try. I had plenty of time to make a decision.
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Author: Ken
Date: 2003-01-17 02:08
BW/WW online policy links/states NO "return" or "tryout" period on their mpcs ... all sales are final. Are terms different if you call them?
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-01-17 02:35
Ken, yes, there appears to be a difference. If you look on page 47, lower right hand corner, you'll see WWBW "Mouthpiece Return Policy".
Because the actual time period was not mentioned, I called, and was told that there was a 10 day trial and that the return package had to have a post mark no later than the 10th day from receiving the mpcs. (They use a tracking system so they know when you get your package.)
So...it appears that when you order over the internet...it's final. When you call, they need to be told that you're buying them on a trial basis. I've done many, many mpc trials with them using the 25% down payment. I have always found them to be very accommodating. To my knowledge, they are the only ones who offer a partial down payment.
Dan
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