 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-03-19 14:12
Because I keep getting emails from people about the Symphonie VII and it seems to have gotten tangled up with people's good intentions but misinformation, please give me one shot to say this very plainly.
1. I am not upset, disappointed or complaining in any way about IMS or anyone who works there in my transaction on this instrument.
2. I kept the instrument too long to expect a refund, or even a 20% deduction. This is no one's fault but my own. Please!! Yes, there were difficult circumstances surrounding my timing of purchasing of the instrument~but that's my fault for making such a purchase at such a time.
3. I chose to sell the instrument and pay off my credit card. That was no reflection on the instrument, as I tried desperately to communicate. It was perfect in every way---and why was it perfect?
4. Because Lisa went above and beyond her call of duty to do an excellent set up on the instrument, even changing pads and doing some extensive adjustments. It was wonderful, perfect and is going to make a Dr. in NY very, very happy.
5. I still plan to recommend IMS to everyone who asks about where to get a good instrument and good service. I still recommend Lisa, and I do consider her a friend. We did speak several times about the instrument and I always told her it was a wonderful instrument.
6. Why does anyone consider it IMS' fault that I needed to sell it to pay my credit card? I kept it over the 30 day period. I've purchased dozens of clarinets from Lisa and have always been happy with her and her store. She's a professional in every way and I respect the rules of business. That's why I didn't call and whine and beg for an "exception" in my case. Maybe I should have done so, then this wouldn't have become such a big deal.
7. Finally, please don't expect businesses to go beyond their policy in taking things back. They've got hundreds of thousands of dollars tied up in stock and they just can't do that--even for a friend.
If you're thinking of buying a new clarinet and you don't give IMS a call, you're probably making a mistake. Lisa has everything a clarinetist would dream of wanting and EVERY instrument I've gotten from her, whether for myself or a student, has been set up to perfection. Nothing but thanks to her and IMS.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-03-19 17:08
Brenda, if you weren't complaining, why did you start the topic in the first place? Just wonderin'.....
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-19 17:39
Brenda, the content of this statement had me a bet confused regarding the intent of your postings:
"As I've read the posts, I really got a bit teary-eyed over this one:"
From comments you made either in another message to the board, or your ad in the Sneezy classifieds and your eBay ad, I knew the general background behind your selling of this clarinet. What disappoints me most in this story is that, considering all the business you have given International and all the business you have sent their way, they (Lisa?) apparently couldn't see fit to cut you some slack on their return deadline this time, given your circumstances. As near as I can tell from your comments, you missed their 30-day return deadline by a couple of weeks. Even if they had imposed their 20% late fee, you would have been even with your buy-it-now price. However, considering how good a customer you've been (based on your reply to HAT above), I think it would have been smart business for them to waive their restocking fee, entirely. To say that I am disappointed in their inflexibility is a gross understatement.
Best regards,
jnk>
"I had the instrument exactly 6 days too long. And, I had originally sent it back for adjustments and told a rep. (I won't name names) that I just wanted to return it since I really didn't have time to play it because my mother-in-law was not expected to live but another week (yes, I had all 3 old people in crisis at the same time). It was suggested I let them "overhaul" it and send it back to me--on approval of course. So, I agreed against my better judgement. I liked it a lot better when they sent it back (Jan. 10,2002), but had to take care of my mother 24 hrs. a day while my dad was in the hospital so I forgot about my time limit on getting it back. When I realized I didn't like it $3,795.00 worth PLUS the nursing care for my mom--I called and was told it was considered sold since I had had it more than 30 days."
"Yes, I agree jnk, but I complied with the rules and took my hit. I won't be buying anything for a long, long time."
Guess I just took it wrong, huh?? Last Sat, after Gregory Smiths master class, Lisa personally helped me select a new Buffet Prestige bass clarinet and had her repair person practically dismantle and rebuild part of the instrument three times before I was satisfied with it's performance. This kind of customer service and the fact that they do have an enormus stock of equipement on site for audition, makes IMS and it's professional staff a truely great store. However, we need to be wary of all the smiles and "warm fuzzies" as they are in the money making business and have rules and regs that insure some degree of finacial success. As in sports, we need to understand the rules of play and the statagies of business dealings and then be careful not to put our position as buyer in deep jeoprody. And, it is the business's way of being fair to all it's customers and not risk offending most by pandering to "favorites." Still, one never really knows "what goes on behind closed doors." Would, for instance, Larry Combs have been given special consideration under the same set of circumstance????? I like to believe not, but one never really knows for certain.
BOTTOM LINE: Your postings did cause dome confusion--sorry for the misunderstandings. IMS is a great store, but as usual, buyer beware of overly friendly sales people and the "fine print" of the sales or approval contracts. Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-03-19 17:44
Please leave this one alone. Brenda is - why can't everyone else. There's nothing that can be done at this point, and perhaps there's that "other side".
While I can't speak for IMS, I know that if I were the store in this case it would be counterproductive to go on a public forum and discuss the whys and wherefores of how this happened.
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Author: Lisa Bilski
Date: 2002-03-19 17:45
She started the thread because people keep accusing her of complaining and whining (which she hasn't)!
In Brenda's defense, I don't think she ever once has complained about her dealings with IMS. I believe that she is heartbroken about having to sell her clarinet, and that probably comes through in what she's written. However, I can't see a single case in which she blamed IMS (though certainly others among her supporters have).
This is the third thread about this subject. The first thread was titled something like "LeBlanc Rosewood on Ebay" and was not started by Brenda. Brenda was forced to defend why she was selling the clarinet in that thread because several people posting seemed suspicious of her motives.
Brenda started the second thread, I believe, as an attempt to diffuse the "bad press" that IMS was getting in the original thread. In the second thread, she stated:
"After all, business is business---and a Symphonie VII is a hunk of change for any business person.
"I'll continue to buy clarinets from IMS--and continue to recommend them to others. I wish they would have made an exception in my case, but I really, really do understand why they didn't. I just shouldn't have let myself be talked into taking it back the second time for a trial period."
I've reread all the threads about this clarinet, and see no posting of Brenda's in which she seems to be complaining. It's funny, too, because in the last thread on this subject she was accused of whining. Others have complained and whined about IMS, but not once has Brenda.
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Author: Lisa Bilski
Date: 2002-03-19 17:47
Sorry, Mark. I was writing my post as the other two were posted, or I would have left it alone, as you requested.
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Author: LynnB
Date: 2002-03-19 17:51
Thank you Lisa and Mark! Can't everyone get off Brenda's case?! She's going through a tough time right now as it is. Take care Brenda.
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