 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: musicmann
Date: 2005-06-09 16:30
I present this as an alarm to the clarinet community.
I've shared this below expressed experience with other BB members and since I am not alone in this treatment, was urged to communicate this post.
Ten months ago I sent my R13 to Steve for an o/h, crack repair and plating, paying $300. 'up-front'. I received an email from him stating he looked forward to working with me, what work would be done, the cost and that it would take 10-14 days. (I can even deal with 60 days) That's where the ethical and decent business posture ended. That, was the only direct contact I had with him.
Now, ten months later, not only have I not received my clarinet but they refuse to return it. Their communication is pathetic, at best and they’ve compelled me, with advance knowledge, to pursue legal action
Nearly a dozen documented phone calls (his business and house phones) and only twice was the phone answered by his wife, who also responded to only two emails. The patent response was "he's working on it”. Regardless of my question, that was the response. Last March I was fortunate to get a status report in a phone call I made wherein I was told “it’s done, he only needs 3 days to assemble it”. Hurrah, Yeah! An untruth.
Now, three months later and NOTHING. THREE DAYS OUT OF THREE MONTHS. Yet, in these 3 months, Mr. Fowler found time to machine/mfg/sell new products advertised on his web site, do repairs for walk-ins, local school repairs and repairs under contract with the American Music Group Corporation.................. But, his time precludes completing a ten month long O/H, despite receiving monies up front.
Only days ago I was informed by yet another customer / BB poster that a clarinet was dropped off two months ago and it was done quickly, in a very timely manner. Yet, mine, and perhaps others, sits there for ten months while walk-ins get results. Apparently, mail-in customers who can't bang on his door to get results are not respected nor valued customers.
I've heard from other customers that over time they, too, paid monies up front, received the same patent responses / excuses/ delay tactics and that the usual turn around time was one year. Seemingly, this scenario is the rule rather than the exception. The excuses I received ranged from various personal issues, different medical reasons, time constraints and being an only child.
Most recently, I left phone messages expressing my need for the clarinet and requesting its return in ‘as-is’ condition. Nothing: no returned phone call, no email response…. not even when I mentioned my intent to post a BB message. I then left more messages / emails now demanding its return. Still nothing.
Only last week when I left yet another phone message of my intent to pursue legal action through various Maryland Gov’t agencies, did I receive an email response. It was literally a plea riddled with more excuses to give them 4 more days and it would be completed. And, stating they refused to return it ‘as-is’. I was informed that the NEW current status was (as opposed to the assembly of 3 months prior) it needed plating, buffing, key fitting, padding and assembly. I gave the 4 days and requested delivery tracking info be sent to me. Nothing. Again, more phone /email messages requesting the tracking information; nothing. Another call of intent of Legal action, and still nothing.
I’ve now contacted Legal authorities in Maryland. The Attorney at the State’s Attorney General’s Office was appalled at my experience. They advised me that once my request for the clarinet’s return was ignored, Fowler Music Service was in violation of Bailment for Repair and technically holding stolen property.
Their overall business communication and service is despicable. They exhibit excuses, delay tactics, untruths, erroneous status info, ignored phone messages and emails, and now refusal to return personal property.
What an ungrateful and pitiful way to conduct business. Not once did I hear 'we apologize or I'm sorry'. These people simply don't care: they are rude, inconsiderate, arrogant, self-righteous, contemptible, unresponsive, uncommunicative and untrustworthy.
.
As a NAPIRT member, he is not in accord with their documented standards of ethics regarding customer treatment. I've contacted NAPIRT, apprised them of the situation and made a formal complaint. Their Executive Board is reviewing it for disciplinary action. NAPIRT's publicized posture on this is: "technicians are morally obligated to practice according to an accepted code of ethics".
This kind of business posture is deplorable and alarming. Anyone considering sending their instrument to Fowler Music Service needs to be aware of what they can expect and the reality of their business posture.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-06-09 16:54
This is the last posting ever on this company. There's been enough warnings, etc. now.
----------------------------------
Followup. My mistake. I mixed this name up with a different repairperson who has a demonstrated bad business record.
However, due to the serious nature of this accusation and in the lack of any corroborating evidence (this is the first time that I've seen Steve Fowler's name in such a bad light) I am going to verify via fax or otherwise from this poster that legal proceedings have actually been taken with Mr. Fowler. If in fact I can verify that they have been taken, I will re-open the post. If not, this post will be deleted and other actions taken.
Mark C.
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-06-10 01:54
This whole story seems extraordinarily similar to an experience I had with a shop in Chicago that was supposedly building me a new case for a Hammond organ. Of course, I had payed up front in full.
Personally, if I were in that situation again, I'd methodically pursue getting the instrument and deposit back, and I would inform others to beware, but I would not get overly emotional about it. Life's too short for that. Besides, there could be extenuating circumstances that you don't know about. Dealing with one person shops can be risky. This is simply not rational behavior on the part of the proprietor. I'd say there'd be a good chance that illness (mental or physical), chemical dependency, marital difficulties, some other family situation, financial difficulties, legal difficulties, tax difficulties, etc., or a combination of those factors is most likely at the root of the problem. When you're dealing at a distance, you just never know (which is why there's an advantage to working with local technicians). Knowing that there's a strong possibility that the wheels may be coming off of a person's life, I'd be inclined to not turn the screws any more than necessary. I wouldn't want to be the one to push someone over the edge. Unfortunately, I've lived long enough to have observed situations where people came unglued, with tragic results (not only to themselves, but innocent people around them).
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-06-10 02:13
I don't think it's helpful to speculate about what may be going on with Mr. Fowler.
Obviously, this is a very difficult and frustrating situation, and musicman's posting was intended as an advisory to the clarinet community. That serves a purpose. No need to try to guess at Fowler's mental, financial, legal, physical, or spiritual condition (no rapture jokes either, please).
Is it OK to just let the post stand as is without overly discussing it?
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Author: musicmann
Date: 2005-06-10 04:11
I offer an amend to my initial post regarding the NAPBIRT matter.
I contacted Bill Mathews, Exec. Dir. to register a formal complaint. At his request, I submitted supporting documentation. He found my experience distasteful and alarming. After reviewing my documentation and their database, it was determined that Steve Fowler has not been a NAPBIRT member for over 6 yrs. NAPBIRT has contacted Mr. Fowler regarding using NAPBIRT on his web site.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-06-10 04:56
Over the years I had purchased 2 fine vintage clarinets (a Selmer 9 Eb clarinet and an 86xxx Buffet A clarinet) both of which had just been overhauled/ rebuilt / replated by Steve Fowler. The quality of work on the clarinets was some of the best I had ever seen (and I've seen Chadash, Yan, Tomoji, etc..) Both clarinets look cosmetically stunning and the tuning, pad work, and key regulation is superb. From what I understand, Steve is a former Navy Eb clarinetist, and his clarinet repair work (especially on Eb clarinets) is considered by some to be second to none.
Thus, when I acquired a rare, lightly used, 70xxx R13 Buffet which was found abandoned in a parochial school closet after 40 years, I thought Steve should be the one to overhaul it back to showroom condition.
To make a VERY LONG story short, Steve Fowler took 1 FULL YEAR (Feb 3, 2004 to Feb 15, 2005) to complete the work. I called (literally) dozens of times, wrote numerous emails and, on the (very) rare time I got a response, I was always promised it would be done within a week. After a while, I just gave up trying to coax him to finish it. As it was a clarinet I didn't immediately need, but certainly wanted finished, the long delay was annoying but with other clarinets to use, the wait was somewhat tolerable. Steve's excuses ranged from being too busy with school repairs and walk-in orders, his own medical issues, business problems, etc... I even had (probably foolishly) sent him an initial $250 deposit/retainer for the silver plating of the keys and rebuild/overhaul work of the R13.
After a year, and after finally just asking for the clarinet to be returned "as is" he completed it. In all honesty, the work was superb - far better than most every repair person I have ever used. The silver plating is exceptional, the tuning has been carefully adjusted, and the keywork regulated perfectly. In short, the clarinet plays like a dream and looks like the day it was built at the factory.
Although I would love to send him another clarinet - I will not go through another year of waiting for completion....GBK
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-06-10 05:07
This is a sad story. I feel sorry for both sides.
Post Edited (2005-06-10 05:16)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-06-10 11:02
LeeB wrote:
> This is a sad story. I feel sorry for both sides.
Would you feel so bad if it were a car repair shop that kept your car for a year? You's at least want your car back in a couple of weeks ... and most people wouldn't take the excuses.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-06-10 11:22
"You's at least want your car back..."
"You's"? I knew Mark had Brooklyn roots !
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-06-10 12:06
I must be missing something here. Why on Earth would you prepay the work? Any repairman has an effective lien on the instrument by virtue of having it in their possession to guarantee payment. It isn't just a matter of getting the work completed at all, but completed to your satisfaction. Would you give a general contractor 100% down to build an addition on your house up front? At the absolute most I would give 1/3 down.
Sounds like he is pretty far over his skis in terms of workload (success breeding disaster) and his business is going to self destruct because he didn't control growth. A most regrettable incident, but interestingly Mr. Fowler sounds about as reliable as a lot of musicians. Bands don't get paid 100% before the gig for obvious reasons. I would have applied the same logic here so I retained some leverage in the transaction.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-06-10 12:18
Good luck with it. Steve's been around for quite some time in the music business and that's the first problem I've heard about with him.
Post Edited (2005-06-10 12:25)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-06-10 12:24
larryb wrote:
> "You's at least want your car back..."
>
> "You's"? I knew Mark had Brooklyn roots !
Nah, a spelling impairment. If I were from Brooklyn at least I'd be spelling it "Youse" ... 
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2005-06-10 12:31
I had a very good experience with Steve Fowler.....he manufactured a new double walled barrel for my SILVER KING metal clarinet....completely overhauled it and restored it to showroom perfection. All in a month's time.
Granted...that was about 3 years ago....so maybe things have changed.
steve even e-mailed photos to me of the progress.....
Steve if you read this, I hope you get your act together again.
John Gibson
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-06-10 12:49
<<<Nah, a spelling impairment. If I were from Brooklyn at least I'd be spelling it "Youse" ... >>>
No. The English language has the impairment.
There is no pleural for "you."
Hence, y'all , youse, younz (in Pittsburgh), yinz (another dialect), and yiz (as in "what are yiz havin' for breakfast?" spoken in a diner in Philly.)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-06-10 12:51
"Sounds like he is pretty far over his skis "
Being a non-skier it's the first time I ever heard this one. I like it and will use it on my skiing sons first opportunity.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-06-10 13:05
john gibson wrote:
> Steve if you read this, I hope you get your act together again.
I did invite Mr. Fowler (via email) to comment on this thread before I re-opened it.
Without making specific comment on this particular situation, it is a common problem to overcommit in small businesses where cash flow is sporadic or cyclical, and upfront money is used to help the cash position. Things roll downhill quickly if there's any change in the status quo (loss of manpower for any reason, re-prioritization of tasks, etc.). The upfront money has already been spent to cover fixed costs, so refunds/returns become essentially twice as expensive - you've spent the money with nothing to show for it other than survival, and you're barely surviving on the new work so refunding the upfront money causes a new cash flow problem ... creditors stop giving you credit, and the bank won't float a loan to a company with a cash flow crisis.
Most small businesses are a heartbeat away from this scenario.
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-06-10 13:05
Well, we're getting off topic here, but actually we have lost the singular for "you." It is "thee."
As regarding plural forms, where I come from there is the term "you-uns," though it is dying out.
And "y'all" is never singular, as it sometimes has been used in Hollywood. In the original Star Trek episode, This Side of Paradise, Dr. McCoy referred to Captain Kirk as "Y'all." DeForest Kelley was from Atlanta and should have known better.
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-06-10 14:11
<<<Without making specific comment on this particular situation, it is a common problem to overcommit in small businesses where cash flow is sporadic or cyclical, and upfront money is used to help the cash position. Things roll downhill quickly if there's any change in the status quo (loss of manpower for any reason, re-prioritization of tasks, etc.).>>>
Again, not making a specific comment on this particular situation, but some single proprietor operations have difficulties with compulsive procrastination. It's certainly quite common for composers who've been paid all or part of their commission. There's something about flirting with a deadline that's not unlike a moth's relationship with a flame. From what I've seen, it's more common among people who are perfectionists. Regardless, it can wreak havoc in a person's life (anxiety, panic, depression, etc.), and also have terrible consequences on the people relying on having the work get done.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-06-10 15:12
OK...so YOU is really PLEURAL, and it is the singular, THEE, that is missing.
Neat. Thanks for pointing that out.
At least we do not have to put up with familiar and formal YOU words such as Sie vs du or euch, and at least we tend to be gender-neutral.
As for Mr. Fowler, I ordered and received his mouthpiece tip measuring device a few months ago. It is a nicely machined tool.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-06-10 15:18
My heartfelt sympathies to all who are involved negatively with this company.
I am very attached to my clarinets (Bb and A) and would be lost if it took a year (or even 6 months) to get them back from anywhere. I own one Bb and play weekly in a symphony. I'm just about ready to send them in for repair from an accident that happened. Both instruments need precision work so I wrote in to this board on a different thread to ask for reputable repair persons. Mr. Fowler's name didn't show up as being recommended.
I agree with larryb and would like to see this thread kept on an informative basis only. Unless you've walked a mile in someone's shoes it's very difficult to know what's going on in his personal/professional life. I suppose if you have a year to wait for an instrument he does fine work. I don't have a year so I will steer clear and go elsewhere.
Thanks for the heads up, musicman.
Rebecca
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-06-10 15:47
<<<I agree with larryb and would like to see this thread kept on an informative basis only. Unless you've walked a mile in someone's shoes it's very difficult to know what's going on in his personal/professional life.>>>
An informative, matter-of-fact presentation of the situation would be fine, and helpful to forum participants. When things are described using words like "horrific, unspeakable, despicable, rude, inconsiderate, arrogant, self-righteous, contemptible, unresponsive, uncommunicative and untrustworthy," however, a line has been crossed and a person is being attacked in a vengeful manner. It has gone far beyond being an "informative" post.
If it were me, I'd be persistent, but I wouldn't go ballistic, especially when you don't know what's going on in a persons personal/professional life. It might take a bit longer to get your clarinet, but I believe that proceeding with a modicum of patience and mercy has its own reward.
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Author: musicmann
Date: 2005-06-10 15:50
some replys seem to touch upon underlying psychologies. I won't go there and it was not the intent of this post.
we're speaking of business ethics: service, posture, communication.
So, one gets caught up in a workload and perhaps as a result, delays become inevitable.
You don't contact a customer, make them aware of factual status?
You don't contact a customer and offer options ?
You don't contact a customer and ask what they can 'live with' ?
You don't return communications?
Ultimately, you are informed of the severity of the situation, ask, in writing, for 4 more days promising it will be completed, then reneg on your own request/promise that was granted ,and then refuse to return phone calls !!!!???
The point that some BB repliers seem to miss is that the communication is virtually non-existent and when it did exist, it was conflicting.
Despite more than a dozen communications, not one phone call was returned and only 2 emails were answered.
From what GBK shared, and I know others have experienced, this business posture is the norm.
Just what does personal issues , medical issues, time constraints, & other excuses, etc. have to do with it when, those same issues don't preclude work getting done for more recent/other customers?
Seemingly, Steve Fowler's repair program is a LIFO 'inventory system'..... Last In First Out.
Regarding the work quality relative to a 1 yr O/H, I seriously doubt that less quality was afforded to walk-in/other customers who had their work done in a timely manner (as indicated in John Gibson's reply & walk-ins who I know had work done).
Again, seemingly it funnels to who has the ability to bang on his door and sit on his doorstep.
Or, perhaps its a matter of whom one respects and doesn't respect.
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Author: george
Date: 2005-06-10 15:57
This is off the subject and slightly pedantic I guess, but for the record, "Thou" was at one the subjective case of the familiar form of the second person personal pronoun, "Thee" was the objective version of the familiar form, and "Thy" or "Thine" was the familiar possessive case. "You and "Your" were the formal forms. In English, the familiar forms died out, and here we are.
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-06-10 16:19
I was about to mirror george's post. There was an informal plural second person pronoun as well: "Ye". However, AFAIK the formal second person pronoun has always been the same in singular and plural forms. This is also true in German as I recall.
As for the main topic, its disheartening to see issues with such a well-regarded repair-person. There are few enough good repair artisans around as-is, and I hope Seve can make you whole again.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-06-10 17:20
Shorthand,
In German, that's only true in the formal (Sie, Sie) form. The informal (du, ihr) is different, I think.
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Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-06-10 22:07
Musicmann,
Is there anyone who has access to Mr. Fowler's shop that you trust to pick up your horn? You mentioned "walk-ins who I know had work done", so that sounds like you actually "Know" someone who can help you out. Or did you just reference BBmembers who you only know "online"?
How far away do you live from his shop? Personally, if I had to drive 4 hours to pick up my horns, I would. I know the point is that you "shouldn't" have to inconvienence yourself due to his poor business practice, but sometimes showing up in person is the only way to go. If there was no work done on your clarinet, you can demand your refund in person. That's always most effective - especially if other "clients" are in the shop. Not that you should cause a scene or threaten him in anyway...but him "fearing" a scene would most likely have him comply - give you the horn back and a refund. I'd bring a friend along as a witness.
PS. I'd get my money in cash or money order - the man needs to take a few courses in ethical business practice and I would not trust a check from him.
Post Edited (2005-06-10 22:09)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-06-10 22:08
From Steve Fowler:
To Whom It May Concern:
It makes me very sad to read the recent posts regarding Mr. [ name deleted - M.C. ]'s clarinet. His instrument and deposit will be returned along with a sincere apology.
Things have not gone well over the last few years.
I have been ill with a degenerative disease since 1985. The last few years have been very difficult because I have not been able to do some of the things that I use to do; mostly work in my shop. It has reached the point that I have had to apply for assistance from the VA. (My problem is Service connected.)
When you're young, you get sick and you expect to get over it. You expect to be able to ride out the illness and get back to normal. Sometimes when you're older, you still think you're going to get over things but you don't. Things just continue to get worse. That's where I've been for the last few years.
I want to be able to do the repairs that I love doing, but most days my body won't let me. Some days I'm able to get a little work done, or at least get to the shop to watch over the couple of friends that I have that are trying to help us out by making Mouthpiece Tip Gauges for us and doing some brass repairs. They can't do the clarinet or sax work. I'm the only one.
My wife does her best at trying to keep me from hearing people complaining by filtering the phone calls. She knows the effect that having someone upset with me has on my mental health. It's not easy dealing with the disease and problems at the same time. Sometimes she might make a mistake in judgment by trying to not lose the work. All I know is that she loves me and takes care of me. I can not fault her for trying to protect me. All I can do is try to make things right.
Again, I apologize to all who seem to be affected by my difficulties.
Glenn, I'm truly sorry that you felt the need to turn what had become a positive outcome into a negative experience. The last thing I heard from you was for me to let you know when I could do some other work for you. I'm sorry you've changed your mind.
Sincerely,
Steve Fowler
Fowler Music Service
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2005-06-11 01:17
As a current service member seeing soldiers redeploy from Iraq and Afghanistan, I would ask Mr. Fowler's customer's be patient and understanding with his current situation. If you haven't been in the service, it's very challenging, and his letter regarding his situation is perfectly understandable. It's a very difficult sacrifice to make, and it's affects are unpredictable.
Christopher Nichols
1st Infantry Division Band
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Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-06-11 01:37
I'm sure if Mr. Fowler had expressed these issues to his customers initially - specifically those who's instruments he has had for 10+ months, this thread wouldn't have been started.
It's certainly a sad situation for Mr. Fowler, however, that does not excuse his actions. At the very least, he should have put a disclaimer on his website regarding the turn around time of mail-in repairs due to "personal circumstances". That's just good business sense - but what has been done is done.
Most importantly, Musicmann will be getting his horn and money back.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-06-11 01:37
crnichols wrote:
> As a current service member seeing soldiers redeploy from Iraq
> and Afghanistan, I would ask Mr. Fowler's customer's be
> patient and understanding with his current situation.
As a former service member with 8 years overseas, a few of those years in an active war zone:
A year to wait under any circumstance is absurd. The instrument should not have been accepted or the offer to return made in a reasonable amount of time. As I said before, you wouldn't accept such service from any car mechanic; what makes an instrument repairperson any different?
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-06-11 02:55
<<<A year to wait under any circumstance is absurd. The instrument should not have been accepted or the offer to return made in a reasonable amount of time. As I said before, you wouldn't accept such service from any car mechanic; what makes an instrument repairperson any different?>>>
It's pretty easy for me to envision this happening. A combination of physical, mental, emotional and financial difficulties, and a wife trying trying to cover for her spouse could easily bring about such a situation. Things can get bizarre when people are stressed and pushed to their limits, and normal business practices can go by the wayside. People can lose touch, and find themselves doing things they never would have considered doing when they were well and in possession of all their faculties.
This sort of thing is not likely to happen in an auto repair shop or any business with multiple employees. They usually all won't be taking ill at once. On top of that, people don't send in cars by mail to have them repaired, so there's no need to deal long distance. This type of thing is most likely to happen in an operation that's largely a sole proprietorship.
No one knows what fate has in store for them. Perhaps some of those on the forum who would hold Mr. Fowler to strict standards will one day find themselves incapacitated and in dire straits, or consumed in coping with a spouse or family member in such a situation. Then, they might get a chance to see first hand how things like this happen.
It's sad to think that as this gentleman is at the end of the road and struggling to keep things together, one of his disgruntled customers is seeking out clarinet-related forums, using the latest in technology to anonymously broadcast angry posts in a sweeping attempt to destroy whatever shred is left of this person's life, business and reputation.
OK, back to the grammatical quibbling.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-06-11 03:14
LeeB wrote:
> This sort of thing is not likely to happen in an auto repair
> shop or any business with multiple employees.
OK, let's be more realistic. I send my wife's $2500 diamond engagement ring for resetting to a jeweler that is a one man shop, the jeweler a recognized expert. I send in the fee for the resetting along with the ring. It's promised back in a month. I don't hear from them when it's late. I send mail - no answer. I call - no answer.
After 2 months I figure it's sitting in a pawnshop. I contact the police and report it stolen. There's no way I'd wait a year. Personally, I think someone who waited that long is being overly kind.
There is NO excuse for the lack of contact, for any reason.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-06-11 04:37
Mark is absolutely right.
Steve Fowler should have said it could take that long, and then the customer could decide if he is still interested. They kept lying and saying it will take a few more days every time (when they bothered to answer at all).
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-06-11 04:53
<<<It's promised back in a month. I don't hear from them when it's late. I send mail - no answer. I call - no answer.
After 2 months I figure it's sitting in a pawnshop. I contact the police and report it stolen. There's no way I'd wait a year. Personally, I think someone who waited that long is being overly kind.
There is NO excuse for the lack of contact, for any reason.>>>
Any reason? What if when the police go to the shop to investigate, they discover the proprietor has been dead for weeks? Would that be a satisfactory excuse?
Granted, that would be an extreme case, but given life situations, there's a whole continuum of reasons why things don't happen as they should.
Consider yourself blessed if everything in your life is predictable, people all behave in a totally professional manner, nothing bad every happens to anyone, and people live long, full, healthy, vigorous, productive lives and expire painlessly in their sleep at a ripe old age with plenty of money in the bank.
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Author: igor
Date: 2005-06-11 05:10
I really shouldn't be posting this because I have nothing to do with this and that's not my business... I totally understand your frustration. Yes, he could have and he should have...
But...
Have you seen this web site:
http://www.emdbd.com/stevefowler/get_musing.asp
Show some mercy already.
Didn't mean to offend anyone. I feel really sorry for both sides...
Ok, I shut up now.
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Author: igor
Date: 2005-06-11 05:21
BTW, I read the bio and there's nothing about the music service in MD.
Is this the same Steve Fowler?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-06-11 05:49
I don't understand why people are trying to justify this?
If he had problems he should have simply not take the clarinet for repair, or let him know in advance it could take up to a year.
He took money up front, and promised several times the clarinet will be done in days. When the customer wanted his clarinet back regardless of its condition, they refused to return it. That is the same as stealing.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-06-11 12:09
The Fowler on the above website about a studio player has ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's disease) which is degenerative for sure ( trust me on this, I deal with the sequelae often and also provide muscle/nerve biopsies for the neurologists).
BUT....the repair tech Fowler (the one for whom this thread originated)stated that his degenerative disease is military-related, and he did not use the term ALS, so we MAY be dealing with 2 different individuals.
(No governmental HIPPA regulations have been harmed in creating this response.)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-06-11 12:10
this thread has now entered the heart of darkness - oh, the horror!
what more is to be gained, other than repetition?
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The Clarinet Pages
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