 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-03-23 23:11
... which would you go for between these two clarinets that are listed at a similar price:
A - a brand new Buffet E12 box fresh straight from the factory for £995, or
B - a used Buffet R13/RC that's been well maintained and in full playing order for £950?
Only I faced a brick wall when trying to explain to someone who wanted to upgrade to a better clarinet than the Malerne that they'd had from the '50s who thought they were getting a better deal with a brand new student model for a little bit more than a used pro model.
They could only see the pound signs over the overall quality of the two instruments and the price was their only and fixed reasoning - to them the more expensive brand new student model is better because it's nearly £50 more than the used pro level one regardless that the used one is the one that will take them further.
Has anyone else had to deal with such stubborn and illogical reasoning?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-03-23 23:31
Ask them which would they rather drive....a new Kia, or a used and well maintained BMW? Not purchase, but DRIVE daily for years. Help them understand that 50 pounds saved today sounds great, but using it every day for years on end is where the value comes in.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-03-23 23:32
Then offer them TWO Walmart clarinets. The money they save there will be fantastic!
US Army Japan Band
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-03-24 00:13
They're not saving 50 pounds if they buy the E-12. The R-13 is the one that's lower in price.
Karl
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-03-24 00:17
Chris, I guess it depends on why you're in discussion with the person about which to buy. If it's your student (or the parent of one), then it's worth it to you professionally to try to convince them their logic is completely faulty. If it's a friend, you may have to decide whether to possibly waste a lot of breath depending on how strong the friendship is. If it's a shop customer and you've made the best argument you can for the better clarinet, I'd say it isn't your problem any more.
What is a pound worth in US dollars today? It's either a very good price for the R12 or a really high one for the E12, I'd think.
Karl
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2017-03-24 01:27
It's been an age since prices had anything to do with quality - yet the notion persists.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2017-03-24 01:57
A used professional clarinet in good condition that is kept in regular maintenance has a longer potential lifespan and higher re-sale value.
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2017-03-24 02:22
If it's about prices: Do they know that a new R13 would cost about 2500 Pounds?
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Author: RKing
Date: 2017-03-24 03:26
So they actually want to pay MORE for an inferior instrument? I thought I had heard it all.........
See if you can get the R13 seller to raise his price 50 pounds. :-)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-03-24 05:38
Go for the R13 ... holds it's value better and most likely plays/sounds/tunes better than the E12.
Five years from now, you can sell the R13 for about (or maybe more) than what you paid for it ... just keep it in good condition.
Tom
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