 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-27 20:42
In a lot of threads I read "order three, pick the best, send back the other two" or "they offer a 90-day trial period". Okay, fine so far.
But if I happen to be the umptieth customer who orders an instrument - how can I be sure I get a new one and not one that has gone through countless hands, mouths and trial periods with questionable treatment? I know that returns are cleaned and refurbished and all that, but technically (and legally?) it isn't new any more.
I accept a car as new when it has less than 100 miles on it, but what if the odometer shows 1500 miles? I'd demand a rebate. But how does one deal with instruments in such a situation? (I'm just curious)
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Ben
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-27 20:51
that's a good question. I guess you would need to judge for yourself if the instrument appeared in brand new condition. Perhaps the plastic wrap is still on it, although that can be redone from the store as well. Sometimes you'll get an instrument that is beginning to have the logo wear off a bit, and you know it can't be brand new.
I don't know if a company will tell you if it's been out on approval or not, but you could try to find out. If you're dealing with a big box store like wwbw, it may be more difficult to find out than if you're dealing with Muncy Winds or other smaller, but very good companies.
And, technically, yes...if it's been played it's not BRAND new. But, remember, many instruments are play-tested at the music store and they're still considered new because they've never been sold. Most stores will have their technicians play-test and set-up professional clarinets.
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Author: D
Date: 2006-11-27 21:11
Thing is, if 4 other people have tried it and sent it back, doesn't that also increase the odds that there is actually something wrong with it, rather than just not quite suiting one player.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-27 21:14
Brenda,
I understand the "play testing", hence the 100 miles analogy, and I'd accept it as part of a serious deal. But a demonstrator at full price?
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Ben
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-27 21:17
A demonstrator should not be at full price. Agreed. If you played a demonstrator that you like, you should take it up with the manager or someone who has the authority to discount the instrument. If it's got signs of wear, you've got a pretty good case it's been play-tested just a bit too much.
And, as D mentioned, if several people have tried it and returned it, it might not be what you're wanting.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-27 21:22
Brenda Siewert wrote:
> And, as D mentioned, if several people have tried it and
> returned it, it might not be what you're wanting.
But how would the average John Doe know? These instruments may have a serial number, but no trackable record. And odds are that the same instrument is sent out again and again until someone keeps it - because it's deemed good enough or because the customer has no clue anyway (read: me, the odd uncle, a school with a mass-order etc etc.)
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Ben
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-27 21:43
Well, I guess you would just have to judge for yourself whether or not it was an instrument you like. If you don't like it, don't worry about it. If it's a great one, keep it. If it looks like it's been around the block a few times (worn logo, dark pads, etc.) then, return it or see if you can get a better deal.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-11-27 22:33
Similarly, how do you know that the mouthpiece(s) you get on approval have not already been tried (and rejected) ?
Of course, one person's reject might be another person's perfect fit...GBK
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Author: joannew
Date: 2006-11-28 07:22
You are buying an instrument that you will potentially play regularly for the next 20 or 50 years. Does it matter if it has been play tested by half a dozen people for an hour each? Will it wear out faster? Has it been contaminated by other players? If you find a horn that suits you and you can afford the price, where is the problem?
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-11-28 11:10
I think there are two problems here.
One is that an instrument that has been played and rejected by many people may have something wrong with it, which the less experienced buyer might fail to notice.
But the other is that new instruments need careful handling. Do I really want to buy an instrument that has been through several trial periods, during some of which it has been played heavily and not swabbed properly, and maybe left in the sun or in a car? It is this potential abuse that would worry me, not the fact that the instrument was not brand new from the factory.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: RAB
Date: 2006-11-28 12:14
Sometimes an instrument might be bright, dark, not a good fit for a mouthpiece & reed combination, It might be perfect for a chamber group but not for a large symphonic band or other groups Etc..
If the instrument has frayed pads, leaks and poor regulation, then it should not be accepted.
However if it fits you and sounds good then it it GOOD!!!
Just because others have rejected it does not indicate it is a bad instrument , just that it is not what fits them.
RAB
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-11-28 13:45
All of the above points re: "One man's trash...", as it were, are all very valid, but I think the main concern of the original post is where exactly is that line between a brand-new horn that has been tried out a few times and is still essentially brand-new, and a horn that has been play-tested SO much that it couldn't *possibly* be new.
How much play-testing is too much? When do we go from a new horn to a demo horn to a USED horn?
One of those things that I think we all think about, but there isn't really ever any way of truly knowing, I suppose...
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-28 14:06
A friend of mine wanted to videotape a wedding or a bday party but didn't have a camera (and had no inclination to buy one). So he checked the mail order stores, got a camera from one with a decent return policy, kept it for some three weeks to do the party and the cutting etc, then sent it back. He said that was cheaper than renting one...
I know we are above such dethpicable behaviour...but if your main horn needed an overhaul and you had no backup instrument, how many would be tempted to 'rent' one this way?
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Ben
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