 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-06-14 04:04
I have to say, a major web distributor of music products has really lost my vote. I used to recommend it, however the availability of products first gave me a "clue" as to not to deal with them, and now I'm convinced.
I won't say what company unless Mark C. lets me know it's ok to say it (since I'm just a dissatisfied customer, but I don't know what the rules would be on speaking against things).
I ordered three mouthpieces. Two were shipped right away. The other was backordered. I recieved the backordered mouthpiece about two months later (and of course I couldn't keep the other two to playtest and compare them all together so it was virtually useless). After sending back the two mouthpieces I didn't pick (after reordering the other two which wasted more shipping and restocking charges), I expected a prompt credit.
8 months later (today) I FINALLY recieve a notice in the mail saying that they credited my account with the 150 dollars I returned. And for those wondering, yes I did harrass them (for about two months) and dispute the charge on my credit card with my company. What if my credit card had been changed or canceled within those 8 months? Or what if it had been a 2000 dollar order? My credit card would have been accruing TONS of interest while waiting for a credit that was due. I'm lucky it was a small order. If Mark C. allows, I'll let you know which company so you can at least be careful, but from this point on, I'm only dealing with smaller companies that move less volume. If possible, ones I can visit personally. Ones that actually value the common everyday customer because they want to build a reputable business and can't afford to tick off the small guy (me and you) and lose a potential future buyer. I urge you to do the same.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-14 12:35
Aren't you glad you didn't order three clarinets!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-14 13:53
sfalexi wrote:
> I won't say what company unless Mark C. lets me know it's ok to
> say it (since I'm just a dissatisfied customer, but I don't
> know what the rules would be on speaking against things).
The rules have always been that it's OK to mention the company as long as it's not hearsay (it must have actually happened happened to you, not to someone else).
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Author: sömeone
Date: 2003-06-14 14:08
so which company is it?
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-06-14 18:02
I had similar experience with a company, but I was forewarned by my instr. tech. about this problem....SO.....After one month I called my credit card company and PUT THE ITEM IN DISPUTE!!!
This stops the interest fees and spurs the dealer to credit the funds.
It works!!!
This was done for a bigtime clarinet order, by the way.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-14 20:59
I find that these kind of hassles take all the enjoyment our of the purchase
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2003-06-14 21:21
I don't know if this is the company, but, International Musical Suppliers took ONE FULL YEAR to credit my charge card. This was done on TWO ORDERS placed fairly close to each other. (I have the receipts on file.)
I could hardly believe my eyes when I received the credit memo DATED ALMOST A YEAR TO THE DAY OF THE INITIAL ORDER!!!
If there is another company out there doing this delay tactic...PLEASE LET ME KNOW!! I want to be forwarned!!
To CPW: Thanks for the great tip. I hope I never have to use it, but,...if I do...I won't hesitate.
Dan
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Author: mishustik
Date: 2003-06-15 00:28
I have to second Dan in my experience with International Musical Suppliers. I recently tried numerous clarinets from them. After charging me over $5000 for a $2000 horn (they messed up and charged me twice), it took almost 3 months for them to take the charges off. They could charge me within an hour but it took months to take the charge off.
Everytime I tried to talk to them about the situation all I got back was attitude. Not my idea of good customer service.
I have been hearing similar experiences with other colleages and it seems that if you are not in the Chicago Symphony you get pushed to the side.
If you are in the market for a clarinet or clarinet merchandise I would stay clear of IMS.
-MW
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2003-06-15 03:16
All,
I'm sorry to hear that IMS is having problems. I've heard through this BB and others of recent "unpleasurable" experiences.
I've had nothing but great dealings with them in the past, although I should state that it has been a year since my last purchase from them. Lisa was very helpful at the time and actually went out of her way to help me with my purchase. I do hope that things take a turn for the better at IMS.
jbutler
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Author: Dawne
Date: 2003-06-15 06:55
In the past 3 months I have requested a catalog from IMS twice via email, and once on the phone, and I have yet to receive anything froms them. If they can't even send me a catalog in a timely manner or even at all, why would I want to order any merchandise from them?
Dawne Morgan
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-15 08:38
Okay.. I am here to rally on the other side of this little IMS bash fest. That store in my opinion carries the best stock of clarinets. IMO i think that there isn't a store that comes close to the quality of horns, I have tired the others, muncy, weiner, and WWBW. Lisa Arguris knows what she is doing in picking her horns.
She will also go to the distance for you. For me in the past. She has gone to buffet and picked out clarinets so that I have a great selection to try. She goes the extra mile for her people.
I have heard that people have had some problems with credit and such. but after doing several trials I always got credited right away.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-15 15:19
I don't believe that reciting personal experiences should be classified as "bashing"......
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-06-15 15:31
OK....mine was via IMS also...BUT the horns were fine. The problem is with the billing/credit system. I was tipped off ahead of time by my instr. tech (major league dude in an eastern city noted for a certain style of clarinet playing) so I used the Dispute method ( that I mentioned above) with the credit card co. and it worked. The instrument is a nice A, and the aforementioned tech "hammered out" any remaining problems.
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Author: Klarinette
Date: 2003-06-16 00:05
I wouldn't call this an IMS bash fest either, especially since people are relating their experience whether good or not so good. I am frankly not surprised to see so much dissatisfaction after my experience. My story: I ordered a product and was told that if they didn't have it I would be contacted within two weeks. Nothing happened and I forgot about it. So....more than five months later, a box from IMS showed up without any warning. Of course, I didn't need it anymore so I sent it back and said the service was not acceptable. A couple days later Lisa called up yelling! Well, we had an all out cuss fest on the phone and I was told I would not get all my money back because she wanted to charge a restocking fee. I too, had to file a credit card dispute. I did get a refund but she did keep her bull sh*t extortionist restocking fee. Now that that's over, I hope that things will get better over there at IMS. For some reason or another, if you are a consumer buying equipment for your clarinet, your customer service experiece will be way behind in comparison to what you would get if you were to buy anything else. We can hope this will change in the future, especially since there are not many alternatives. But, to be positive and to give the benefit of the doubt, maybe the music retail biz is just plain tough.
JCO
A Radio Station for Us!
http://homepage.mac.com/clarinetquintet/Menu8.html
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-06-16 03:44
It was International Musical Suppliers. www.intlmusicalsuppliers.com
Aparently I wasn't the only one. At least this puts me in some sort of relief (sort of a "misery loves company" deal.) I didn't get back any attitude over the phone, just tons of, "It's in the process. It may take a few weeks." I guess a few weeks to them is round about 32 weeks, whereas I was thinking maybe three or four.
I believe they only do mail order and I wasn't happy at all. Sorry for the late reply. Been having a few problems back home and can't get on much anymore. Hopefully I'll be back to my regular many posting status soon. Anyways, judging by these posts, be wary of where you buy.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2003-06-16 03:48)
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-06-16 03:53
Gosh....mebbe someone should oughta send this thread to them folks at IMS so's they kin fix it 'n at.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-16 11:45
sfalexi wrote:
> I believe they only do mail order and I wasn't happy at all.
No, they've got a store. I've been in a few times to buy instruments with my kids/for others and have been happy with the service.
I've also bought via mail order from them and been satisfied, but I've not had to use a credit card for "on approval" buying with IMS, so I've not experienced any delays with them.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-16 12:16
I have hesitated to and choose not to relate details of my dissatisfaction with the treatment I received at this place of business. However, my opinion is that things will not change there until there is a change in top management.
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-06-16 17:19
CPW,
you from pittsburgh?
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-06-16 21:05
Likely you are reacting to the use of the expression " 'n at" (and that sort of thing)
Check your email Gretchen
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Author: kdennyclarinet
Date: 2003-06-16 22:41
Personally, IMHO, I have found that while some of the larger companies may offer a wider variety of merchandise, they have such a large volume of in and out flow that they tend to lose the "personal" service that we all hope for. The smaller companies may or may not (depending on who you are dealing with) have everything in stock, but they will usually go out of their way to satisfy their customers (because a happy customer is a returning customer). After giving many companies a try (including having a negative credit issue with the aforementioned company), I have found one "small" company that provides friendly and prompt customer service and does everything they can to meet the customer's needs. I'm not a paid endorser or anything, but I have grown to know and trust the Muncy's. Sometimes they even recognize my voice on the phone! I think that the smaller companies are just going to have stronger internal communication and that's what really helps them in keeping on top of things. The more employees you have, the more the customer feels like a number because you never know who you are going to be talking to or how many other people are in line ahead of you.
Happy hunting...
-Kristen D.
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-06-17 22:27
I called IMS about a year ago to request some clarinets be mailed to try out. The stated conditions were they would send a maximum of 3 instruments and pre-charge my credit card only "one". Besides the shipping fee there would also be a non-refundable $5 re-stocking fee per instrument for as many returned---regardless of purchase. These conditions were not acceptable to me so I said thanks and quietly took my business elsewhere.
My thoughts on this are, I can understand the necessity for pre-charging a credit card as an unscrupulous person could max out their card before the transaction could take place (among other creative scams). To IMSs credit, they are already sticking their neck out by sending 2 additional horns on the honor system however, the $5 re-stocking really ruffles my feathers. One of my pet peeves is getting nickel and dimed to death, particularly when my wallet is willingly open and I'm already a paying customer. Charging a potential customer a $5 re-stocking fee even after making a sale speaks volumes to me on this companies’ core values and arrogance ... bunch of greedy cheapskates you ask me. And as far as holding credit lines and balances hostage the dispute diversion works well, and if it was me I'd have a chat with my lawyer on a possible civil claim to lost/incurred interest charges PLUS interest of my own for using and tying up MY money.
Taking a brief trip to fantasyland, I wonder how IMS would like it if you could buy a horn from them, but as a twist make out a post-dated check and back it up 8 to 12 months. Not only would they have to take it but store the horn until the day of delivery/pick-up. You can bet under these terms they'd be highly motivated to conduct an error-free and speedy transaction.
In retrospect, unique conflicts of these types are the norm rather than the exception in today's virtual marketplace; there is certainly something to say for the charm of time and distance but there is NO subsitution of doing business the old-fashioned way with a handshake instead of a mouse click. v/r Ken
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-17 22:56
Personally, I see nothing wrong with a seller charging one for all three horns. If the buyer is so naive as to think that businesses can deal with strangers gratis then buyer beware. My complaint involved her upping the phone quoted price by $100 on the invoice.....an old car dealer's ruse ......and then arguing with me about defects in the instrument when I returned it. This was a "personally selected instrument".....ha. The instrument was delivered without advance notice to me and was left sitting on the doorstep in winter weather. Lucky for me it didn't crack. I have had better treatment from used car dealers than from the President of said co.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-18 00:47
ken wrote:
> however, the $5 re-stocking really ruffles my
> feathers.
I guess you've not been a retailer ... there are more unscrupulous people than you'd imagine who take advantage of every retailer in ways that's make your hair curl (or straighten, depending on it's natural state ...). A re-stocking fee keeps the "borrowers" at bay. Try buying a notebook computer and returning it after you find out that it doesn't suit your needs ... 15% is "normal" restocking fees. People would "buy" them for a week and return them.
IMS is upfront with the fee - another reason to spend a few dollars and visit (drive, fly) the nearest store that has a hefty number of instruments to try.
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Author: dfh
Date: 2003-06-18 02:19
wow - IMS is in trouble if you ask me! I also have had some big issues with them that still hack me off. I also thought I'd give Lisa's skills a shot, since it's better than just off the shelf sending (even after an Eb I purchessed from her a few years back has turned out to be not so great - but I blame myslef a little for not being as picky as a should've b/c i NEEDED a horn ASAP to play Daphnis - my 1st had been stolen. I now play on an OLD selmer that I paid $500.oo for - way better that Lisa's new handpicked Buffet)
ANYWAY - I decided to give her another shot, this time with as much personal commucation as possible. SO - it took at least 8 weeks to get my 1st shipment, if not more. 2 horns (Buffet R13 A's). They were both pretty good, but not EXACTLY what I wanted. At first she tried very very very hard to get me to take the one that a big name Chicago player had "almost bought", whatever. I didn't want it. Then I spent alot of time detailing what I liked/disliked about each horn, and what I wanted. Wrote it all down, told her over the phone - all this at her request.
All the time offering to drive to Chicago to test them myself, which she very very much DID NOT want me to do. (and what I should've done).SO - I call every week for about a month + and NEVER hear from her again. So that's that. I've had at least 6 students buy new horns in the last year, and sold at least a dozen Mouthpeices also. She ended up loosing a lot of business by her poor salesmanship. I go to Muncy - I've bought some GREAt horns through them, but the *golden* A clarinet still hasn't been found. ( I know it exsits, I've played 2 others of that quality)
All of my interactions with were.....full of pressure. She was really trying to bully me into doing what she thought I should do - never giving me any credit for having my own ears. She also told me that I switch equipment too much - (I happen to adapt very quickly) - because I told her I wanted a new mouthpiece too. I've been through 4 and about to go to 5 mouthpieces in the last 2 years. And every one is better than the last...
and not to mention all the money she made keeping my money in her acount the 3 months she had it....(Ok, that's a bit of speculation on my part....but where else is our money that isn't credited back?)
Ok, I'll stop ranting now!!! Sorry about this long post. I don't have too many clarinet sympathizers around here to blow off steam to!
Do you non U.S.A. clarinet buyers have these problems?
dfh
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-06-18 13:16
I've stayed quiet about my experience, but since it seems I'm not alone, here is what happened to me.
In a nut shell IMS (Lisa) told me she had a "New" Bannenized Concerto A at I believe $1600 which was personally inspected and which had been on the shelf for a little while. When it arrived, several rings were loose to falling off, the horn was virtually unplayable, it had a crack in the bell which had been repaired and a local repair person said he could put it into shape for $200. His exact words were "it's not a bad instument, it just needs work." Not exactly what you'd expect buying a "Brannenized Instrument."
I contacted Brannens, who evidently cannot track work via serial numbers but from the description of the horn, they said they either had not worked on it or it had been fooled with afterwards. I had at least two discussions with Lisa about the horn during which she kept refereing to me as a "price buyer." When I pointed out I could buy a Concerto A for considerably less elsewhere and had purchased the horn on the basis of her assurance it had been Brannenized and that the Brannens could not confirm it and even if they did it would take $200 more to make it playable, that it wasn't what I was led to believe I was purchasing. Also I'll add that accessories were missing from the case, like keys and cork greese. The warrenty was there, but the horn looked used.
She then offered an Opus A at a reasonable price, the trade was made but even it was billed at $100 more than quoted and interestingly enough when I recieved it it had electrical tape wound in the upper joint. When I took the tape out, it played more to my liking and in tone. I decided not to fight the $100, since the quality/price was reasonable even at that.
I have no idea if the problems I had were intentional deception, I would prefer to think it was not, but based on my experience I will not be buying anymore instruments from them.
Best
RW
Best
Rick
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-06-19 00:32
Caveat emptor.
Non illigitimi corborundum est. (sp? I didnt take Latin but younz get the idea)
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2003-06-19 01:40
After reading dfh's reply, some unwanted "buried" memories came back to me. I thought it worthwhile to mention them because "they fit into the pattern" of what happens when you try to return test trial instruments.
When I tried out two clarinets and decided "they weren't exactly what I wanted", something in my gut told me that I'd better write down, in very exacting order, what I didn't like about the instruments. Now as I think back about it...it seems strange that I felt compelled at that time to build up a defense in order to return them.
Sure enough, a short while after IMS received them back, I received a personal phone call from Lisa. Because I had a written copy of what I sent along with the horns, we went through each point together. I can remember feeling bullied in that she was trying to invalidate what I didn't like about the horns. It felt like a long, highly pressured conversation.
All I can say is..."Is this the way to do business?"
I've tried out numerous horns from WW&BW and when sending them back, all I had to do was check the phrase "didn't like" and that was it.
Oh, by the way...I called Lisa yesterday about this posting because I thought she might be interested in what some dissatisfied customers of the past were saying about IMS and was immediately met with...
"DID YOU START IT?" with such velocity that I felt as if a tank was about to roll over me.
I have no desire to call IMS again.
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Author: dfh
Date: 2003-06-19 04:26
well, Lisa, if you're reading this, you may be wondering what to do about it. There are some really great companies that do sales training. One is the Sandler Sales Institute. I know they have franchises in Chicago. (which may go by different names - but you could find all of them on a search engine) When I was dealing with you, I repeaptedly thought that if you had the right "coach", it may really help your sales and your $$$$$ making ability. you certainly have the competitive edge it takes to be a great sales person.
I kept feeling like you were all alone doing this business....and it was too much to handle.
Maybe you also need an assistant to return some of your calls for you when you're taveling. because as much as I wanted to be nice when you told me you hadn't returned my multiple calls for weeks b/c you were on the road, it still hacked me off.
I hope this post isn't "illegal". After all the disservace we've done to IMS here, maybe something positive is OK?
dfh
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-19 10:37
She really is an excellent clarinetist
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-06-19 12:11
To misquote the dear, departed Everett Matson...
"Don't work for clarinet players, they will make your life miserable."
$5 exhorbitant for restocking? I don't expect anyone to work, for me, for free, until my tax-free status comes through (I'm not holding my breath).
I occasionally sell instruments second-hand and build in an expensive return fee to offset my costs, and compensate me for my time.
If you want personal service - go to your local shop and pay the premium.
This is more about not knowing your rights as a credit card holder, and taking appropriate action than in dealing with a large retailer.
There is so little money made as a profit on professional clarinets, that if you have not purchased a dozen reeds with the transaction, they probably just break even on trials...
Sheesh
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-19 17:01
quite honestly. If were her I wouldn't sell clarinets through the mail. It is a am impossible business. One cannot really expect to find a clarinet that works perfectly for them through the mail because a clarinet that would work for the seller picking out the clarinet might not work for the buyer. Quite honestly I am sick of hearing people complaining about it. If you really want a good clarinet that works for you, you will GO to the store and pick it YOURSELF. If you are just nonchalantly placing orders and getting shipped clarinets you don't love, well you get what you deserve.
A five dollar restocking fee is NOTHING! You are lucky she isn't charging more. They have to go through the effort of cleaning, and so forth in an attempt to sell the clarinets as new. We are lucky it isn't more.
if one feels "scared" or "pressured" by the sell, then I believe that is their fault of their own. The customer is the one ultimately in control, if you aren't happy with your service, take it else where.
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Author: RM
Date: 2003-06-19 17:22
I have tried a number of clarinets picked out by Lisa and have never bought one. They have always had some sort of problem, and whenever I address it to her, there is a cuss war and she gets defensive, ending up stating something like "Well Robert Marcellus liked my playing", and once even challenging my own abilities. I say poo to that. I will never purchase an instrument from her, she picks duds in my opinion, is very rude at times, and is incredibly opinionated. All those put together make a bad businessperson. WWBW or Weiner are much better to deal with.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-19 17:22
cyso_clarinetist wrote:
> Quite
> honestly I am sick of hearing people complaining about it. If
> you really want a good clarinet that works for you, you will GO
> to the store and pick it YOURSELF.
Easy to say when you live in Chicago. How about 90% of the US where a good, highly stocked store is a few hundred or more dollars away?
> If you are just
> nonchalantly placing orders and getting shipped clarinets you
> don't love, well you get what you deserve.
Which is what? Rude service? I don't thinh that is deserved.
> A five dollar restocking fee is NOTHING! You are lucky she
> isn't charging more. They have to go through the effort of
> cleaning, and so forth in an attempt to sell the clarinets as
> new. We are lucky it isn't more.
She can charge what she wants - no dispute. Not all stores charge a restocking fee, especially if you decide to buy one of the clarinets.
> if one feels "scared" or "pressured" by the sell, then I
> believe that is their fault of their own.
Hokay. Please take advantage of one of the "free vacation in North Carolina" deals and tell me about sales pressure. Perhaps you've not dealt with high pressure sales tactics before.
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-19 17:30
Mark Charette wrote:
> Easy to say when you live in Chicago. How about 90% of the US
> where a good, highly stocked store is a few hundred or more
> dollars away?
If someone wants "the one" perfect clarinet for themself then they will go to great lengths to get it. Personally I have strongly considered going out to california and finding my clarinet there. If you aren't willing, or don't have enough money, then you aren't going to get "the one".
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-06-19 17:53
I recently bought a Buffet D clarinet from IMS that I'm pretty happy with. The price was about 50% below list which I thought was hard to beat (though still expensive) and the horn was in very good adjustment. The only negative experience I've had when dealing with IMS is being charged double on a mouthpiece. It took a couple of calls to straighten it out. Not a big deal. As for having Lisa choose an instrument, I would never let anyone choose an instrument for me. Better to have three horns sent to me and take the best of the three. Should get a good horn that way. I would buy another horn from them (IMS) and would reccomend them to others. Still, I think I prefer dealing with WW/BW or Phil and Pam Muncy.
Post Edited (2003-06-20 01:10)
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-06-19 17:59
Also, **Wichita Band** has been great...polite, responsive, competitively priced (less $$$ than International), knowledgable, and great "tweaking." And, with one of the issues, quick credit refunds with returned instruments.
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: beejay
Date: 2003-06-20 16:59
I was enjoying this drama. If Lisa is so argumentative, who hasn't she replied yet?
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-20 17:06
I must report two differing experiances regarding IMS and their billing proceedures.
1) When I was undecided about purchasing a Buffet Prestige 1193-2 bass clarijnet, Lisa (who is very knowledgable and keeps a great stock of personally selected clarinet products on site) let me take the bass home on approval for two weeks. It was not charged to my credit card, and I returned it as agreed at no cost. I did buy a similar bass clarinet at a later date after more testing. End of this story--everyone happy!!!!
2) Last year, I checked out a Buffet Prestige A clarinet from the store "on approval" expecting the same return arrangement as IMS had already previously extended to me. As with the bass, they took my credit card # for collateral (or whatever). After the two weeks, I decided to return it to the store--and much to my suprise, it had been charged to my credit card which we pay in full each month to avoid interest charges. I was assured that the ampount would be credited back to my card, but only after the normal two month period for "book keeping" reasons. So I was forced to trade in some finacial securities in order to pay the monthly bill and to avoid a service charge. The credit card company got things "all screwed up" because they simply credit what is paid to what is shown on the card at the time of billing, and it turned out that we were charged a service fee of some kind regarless of my effort to pay the IMS charge. IMS finally did credit my card, after two months, but only after the "damage" had been done.
The IMS approval prodeedure is clearly defined in their catalog and they followed it to the letter. It was my falult for not reading the "fine print" prior to checking the A clarinet out for approval. But what bothers me is, Lisa personally handled my bass clarinet approval much differently, and that lead me to believe the approval on the A clarinet would be handled similarly. I guess you all know the definition of the word assume........
The lesson (and "bottom line") is, disregard the smiling faces and read the fine print--always. I continue to regard IMS as one of the finest sources of clarinet equipement in the Mid-West and continue to do business with them--but I always watch my financial back.
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Author: Webby
Date: 2003-06-21 02:50
Oh, I might as well join in.
I've never actually ended up doing business with IMS, because when I e-mailed with a question about a product, Lisa's reply included an order someone else had e-mailed to her, including credit card number! I brought the error to her attention, pointing out if I were lacking in character she'd have had a much larger problem on her hands. She replied and apologized, but very emphatically asserted that she'd never done it before and she didn't know how it happenned. Not especially reassuring.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-21 03:30
Webby wrote:
> Oh, I might as well join in.
> I've never actually ended up doing business with IMS, because
> when I e-mailed with a question about a product, Lisa's reply
> included an order someone else had e-mailed to her, including
> credit card number!
That really doesn't have anything to do with IMS mail order service. No one should be emailing their CC for any reason, number, anywqay ...
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-21 04:10
RM expresses some of my sentiments quite adequately.
" she picks duds in my opinion, is very rude at times, and is incredibly opinionated. All those put together make a bad businessperson. "
Based on the number of things wrong with the instrument that was sent to me I decided that the "personally selected" thing was about as accurate as throwing darts. But her rudeness to me when I returned the instrument personally was what was inexcusable.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-06-21 11:21
Just one question: If a person claims to especially pick horns for people, what happens to the rest of the horns that are not picked? Surely they get especially picked for other people!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-21 14:29
Most certainly; and that person has previously voiced her sentiments here.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-21 14:35
I'm going to close this one off now. I think everyone who'd had a problem has had time to speak up.
Keep in mind the number of problems / number of sales. IMS is one of the largest mail-order places, so they may have the largest number of problems. WW & BW had some major problems a few years back, and they seem to have recovered.
In all cases - YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary ...).
Mark C.
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The Clarinet Pages
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