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Re: Selecting a clarinet with Lisa Argiris

Author: LisaCanning
Date: 2017-09-27 23:31

Dear Clarinet Friends,
I want to explain why I refused to deal with this particular buyer again.

I have spent 35 years perfecting my process of helping others improve and perfect their knowledge about their playing needs and the playing characteristics of instruments they buy. If you know my service than likely you have heard me say: People come to me to help them improve their playing. They pay me for that and leave with a clarinet in a case.'

My work helps players first and foremost make more intelligent decision as well as solve problems with pitch, color of sound, projection and other issues that result in their instant growth. I don't just sell clarinets. I help people play better.

This particular buyer found exactly what they though was not possible to find. As routinely I am able to do for others. And then because I failed to return an email timely, while I was buying them more of the right new instrument to try, they elected to not pick up the phone, but use the knowledge I helped them gain to go to other stores until they found a new version of what I selected.

If I were charging for my educational services I would have been paid for that, right? But I am not exactly doing that entirely. My costs are way more for this effort than just my time.

It is not fair to me to put in a position to absorb over $1000 of work on clarinets. In addition this customer kept the instruments beyond the 2 week trial policy and when they called tried to negotiate their way out of any additional fees- which those I did waive- while they proceeded to not tell me the entire story about what had happened. They used my expertise that most say they find no where else. The restock fees to deliver this service do not cover my costs. I generously always go above and beyond based on trust. To encourage this behavior I even have a loyalty request clause on my website and explain why I ask for it. I have always said shop around before you come to me. I am usually folks last stop and am fine waiting to see if they value my service enough to put me there. And if not, I wish them well. This customer was fully aware of my process too and admitted to understanding it.

The only course of action I have in rare situations like this is to not make my services available to them in the future.

I am very clear and transparent about why this is the case. Of course when others want to try Selmer's or Backuns or Yamaha's against anything I have I never have a problem with it. But in this situation the customer directly avoided telling me the truth. Had they told me what happened honestly, I think I would have been willing to help them in the future but they elected to not tell me the truth when I honestly gave them my best and they admitted I got it exactly correct. All to negotiate them being late and trying to avoid additional fees because they were busy trying instruments elsewhere.

I am a reasonable, honest, truthful person and I expect the same in return to use my service. I don't think I am asking too much or that my decision to turn them away in the future is unreasonable. I don't trust them anymore.

There is a reason that ratings on sites like Uber and Amazon are 2 ways. We as vendors are equally allowed to review our buyer as they are to review us for our services. My refusal to work with them was my review. Although none of this would have ever been made public, except to them, had they not written on this thread.

Sent with love and respect and appreciation for some of your recent comments that reflect kindness and thoughtfulness and heart. I do agree that anonymous posts should be banned. The fact that I privately called this customer out on their behavior should not be allowed to damage my reputation through their public comments and anonymity.

Lisa Canning

Lisa's Clarinet Shop
www.LisasClarinetShop.com
847.774.2938
Lisa@LisasClarinetShop.com

Post Edited (2017-09-27 23:39)

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