 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-01-18 00:11
If you can stand to hear anymore about mpc trial periods, I would like to share the following with you...it comes direct from Alphin's catalog:
MOUTHPIECE TRIAL POLICY
"A maximum of 5 mpcs will be sent out for a trial period of seven days". After stating that everything must be paid in full, the catalog goes on to state: "Return unwanted mpcs within seven days of the original postmark and receive an immediate refund of the full purchase price less shipping. Scratched or otherwise damaged mouthpieces will not be accepted for return. A $10.00 late charge will be assessed on each mpc returned after 10 days."
My question is: How can anyone have a "trial period" of seven days if the mpcs are to be returned within seven days of the original postmark????
Doesn't this sound a little misleading???
Any comments???
Dan
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-01-18 01:30
Dan wrote:
>
> My question is: How can anyone have a "trial period" of seven
> days if the mpcs are to be returned within seven days of the
> original postmark????
>
> Doesn't this sound a little misleading???
No. It's pretty explicit. He starts the clock as soon as the postman sends the package on its merry way. You get to return them within 7 days. "Return unwanted mpcs within seven days" actually is very unclear - does he need to have them back at his shop within 7 days? Do you need to have them back and postmarked within 7 days?
But most small businesses are no worse ... it costs too much to have a lawyer review every sentence and ensure that the policies are explicit, and even then there's always something ...
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-01-18 02:33
I would call. If he doesn't give at least a 3 day trial that starts after you receive the mouthpieces, go some where else.
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-01-18 02:37
Thanks Mark for your response. I just got an email from Graham's Music concerning what appears to be confusing mpc trial policies and I was told that because the profit margin is so low on mpcs, a retailer can double and even triple his/her profit margin by collecting late fees. (I personally find this rather revolting!)
Yes, the clock is ticking, and it appears that some, but not the more reputable ones, are anxiously waiting for late returns.
What can I say??? When ordering mpcs on a trial basis, DEMAND TO KNOW THE EXACT DATE WHEN THE UNWANTED MPCS MUST BE IN THE RETAILER'S HANDS!!!!
I think this fall under the BUYER/MPC TRIER BEWARE!
If anyone has any personal bad experiences in this area, I would like to hear from you.
As for myself, the only truly bad experience I've had is with IMS. On at least 2 mpc trials, I had to wait 3 full months to get my money returned. (I don't deal with them anymore.)
Dan
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-01-18 03:13
Marc, I don't understand your "it's pretty explicit" statement. To me, a 7 day trial period means just that...a person gets to try out a mpc for 7 days. If the retailer wants it back in his hands 7 days from the original postmark, that does not equate to a 7 day trial period.
Just my $0.02 cents worth.
Dan
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 2003-01-18 05:09
> Marc, I don't understand your "it's pretty explicit" statement.
It's explict in the fact that there's no ambiguity on when the clock starts - whether or not you <b>like</b> when the clock starts.
There's a reason for this, if you think about it. There are people in the world who want to take advantage of honest shopkeppers, just like there are shopkeepers who want to take advantage of honest people. Someone might claim to never have received, or received very late, the package of mouthpieces. Using the postmark is a way to ensure that the clock starts on a particular day. Whether or not 7 days is adequate, and the ambiguity on when the 7 days ends, are points that might be better argued.
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Author: Birch
Date: 2003-01-18 22:51
In my far off corner of North America - the Yukon (just east of Alaska for those of you who don't know) - the only way there would be a hope in hell of recieving a mouthpiece here withing 7 days is if I personally flew to MA to pick it up. Even then, 7 days is pushing it. There are no effective couriors up here (it took well over a month for Fed Ex to send me something from Paris, most of a week to get here from Vancouver!) and reliable mail (Canada Post) takes time.
This means that these stores, though they surely have things that I would love to purchase, will never get my buisness.
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 2003-01-18 23:45
Birch wrote:
>
>
> This means that these stores, though they surely have things
> that I would love to purchase, will never get my buisness.
That's not a fair attitude. I think most shopkeeppers would make some sort of special exception in your case if you asked; and, if not, then I'd not deal with them.
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Author: Ken
Date: 2003-01-19 00:40
Dan wrote: "Return unwanted mpcs within seven days of the original postmark and receive an immediate refund of the full purchase price less shipping. Scratched or otherwise damaged mouthpieces will not be accepted for return. A $10.00 late charge will be assessed on each mpc returned after 10 days."
If the above is a complete shipping policy it seems ambiguous to me in key terms. 1) What is the method of shipping? 2) Are inadvertent "teeth marks" considered a scratch and damage? 3) If the drop-dead return date is 7 calendar days why is the late charge assessed at 10 days? 4) Must a credit card number be secured and is the card charged FIRST before the merchandise can be shipped or after the trial period and final approval from the buyer?
Not meaning to suggest the 7-day trial period from point A to B to A is contrived but if the undeclared method of mailing is first-class/parcel post, even within the contiguous 48 states and then returned in the same fashion 7 days is NOT a realistic window of opportunity to make an equitable and informed selection (and that's just ONE mpc). It could easily take 7 days "alone" to receive it going coast-to-coast and using the U.S. Postal Service means there will be "1 1/2 days" they are CLOSED with no delivery service (half of Saturday and all day Sunday ... not to mention Federal Holidays like MLK Day this Monday). Does the retailer make provision for this unforeseen circumstance?
I'd also get clarification on what "immediate refund" means. A retailer can arbitrarily charge a credit card and take their sweet time re-crediting the amount on a return/refund. They can literally hold a consumer's money hostage for months whether administrative error or devised. If it was me, I'd be very careful trying out mpcs with a vague return policy such as this. v/r Ken
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