The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-04-28 18:56
For those of you living north of the border: have you guys found that if you buy reeds from one of the US suppliers, you actually pay about $5 less per box (factoring exchange rates, shipping, and foreign currency charges on credit cards). Prices here range from $21.95-$25.95 + tax for a box of Vandoren regular vs. $11.25 US.
Perhaps we Canadian clarinetists (and other Canadian reed players) should tell our local suppliers that we refuse to buy reeds from them unless they offer us prices comparable to the US suppliers.
Meri
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-04-28 20:14
It's not just Canada where reeds can be expensive! I have found that my local music stores in Ohio sell regular VanDorens for maybe $22.00 to $25.00 for a box of 10. I ordered some from Woodwind and Brasswind for about half that! You have to shop around no matter where you live.
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Author: Marci Gurnow
Date: 2000-04-28 21:00
I second Pam's post- you can get charged $34.00 a box for Blackmaster reeds here in Dallas, TX while you can order them from some place else for $16.60!
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-04-28 21:25
Here in California I've paid between $19.84 to $27.50 for a box of V12's. The regulars are a little less expensive. It all depends on where you buy the reeds, and how friendly you are with the shop owner/sales person. If you can somehow talk that person into giving you a teacher discount then do so; it's worth it.
Another option is to collaborate with a bunch of other clarinet players in your area and make a massive order from Woodwind and Brasswind. You save on price/box and shipping charges. It's worth it.
Hope this helps,
Frank
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-04-28 22:48
Yes, but at least you guys have to worry less about exchange rates and shipping charges, and that you don't have to worry about foreign currency charges. (not to mention a lot more competition in terms of suppliers.
Frank: As for the "massive order idea"--that's a pretty good idea--there must be at least 10 clarinetists where I live who'd like that.
Meri
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-04-29 01:09
I live in London, ON, and I can certainly tell you that bulk reed orders are worth it: one of the teachers here used to organize one a year. I don't think it's really cheaper, even at the price you listed, for an individual to buy reeds, however: once you've factored in exchange rates on that, plus shipping, it evens out. Sad, isn't it? My suggestion otherwise is just to talk to your store to see if they offer any discounts for regular customers or if they have a discount card you can purchase--a lot of stores do. hope that helps!
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Author: Peter Spriggs
Date: 2000-04-29 12:59
Meri,
You are wrong. With my business I sell more Vandoren clarinet reeds than any other Canadian business. At todays exchange rate I sell regular Vandoren clarinet reeds for as low as $11.38 US. You also must consider the Canada Customs handling charge of $5.00. Of course I sell V-12s at equally competitive rates.
Mark, before you delete this as an ad, consider that I am really responding to some mis-information and only puting the record straight.
Peter
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Author: Justin
Date: 2000-04-30 20:27
I live in Markham. For those who don't know here this is it as a suburb of Tronto, part of the GTA. ANyoway, I used to buy my Vandoren V12s at Cosmo music. I had to empty my bank account, as a box of 10 is $30, excluding tax! I have now decided that the little inconvinience of going to Long and McQuade in metro toronto is worth saving 5 - 10 dollars a box.
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Author: steve
Date: 2000-05-01 19:30
hmmmm...well, pharmaceuticals are cheaper in canada than in the us....
s.
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-05-01 19:58
Steve, perhaps we in the US should make a massive order of Viagra to Canada.
Frank
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