Author: donald
Date: 2022-06-30 10:10
While I can't comment on suspicious sales etc, it's worth noting that in Japan 2nd hand instruments have almost NO value, so there are a large number of people buying 2nd hand instruments, re furbishing them and selling them in other countries where they have more value.
- No student in Japan will play on a 2nd hand instrument
- Parents will often buy professional level instruments for beginner students in the belief that this will help them advance (and, well, sometimes it does).
Here in NZ there are at least 2 "sources" of such instruments- and one major instrument retailer ONLY stocks refurbished instruments from Japan (often in pristine condition).
One of my students was able to buy a Yamaha student instrument for about $100 US$ that was in excellent condition - and the seller DEFINITELY sold it for profit, they were not "doing a favour" that's for sure! He must have sourced it for 20-50$ in order to make any $$$ (the pads were 80% original... it will need work soon, but WAS only 100$ and will be worth fixing).
An English repair dude who worked here for a while married a Japanese woman and now lives in Japan, they pay their rent selling 2nd hand flutes to UK, NZ and Australia (basically wherever he has contacts on the ground who will handle the instruments).
It's quite a legit enterprise, however of course there may be sharks...
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The Clarinet BBoard
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