The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Louise H.
Date: 1999-02-07 16:47
We are going to Europe next fall, and one of our family goals is to look for a clarinet for our 13-year-old (who is already at the intermediate level). I know you can tour the Leblanc and Buffet factories but not purchase on-site. Anyone been there - done this? Need tips on where to go, even people to see. What should we expect to pay for, say, an R-13 (just to use a standard "measure")? Will the customs duties negate any $avings? Any and all responses welcome! Thanks.
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Author: charles
Date: 1999-02-07 17:04
dear louise. I am a parisian living in california and I am going to disapoint you a little. clarinets and everything else are more expansive in Europe than here. I go to Paris reguliarly and have been looking in vain. On top there is a sales tax of 22 per cent on everyting except food. Your best bet will be small music dealers who carry used instruments. garage sales do not exist in France and thrift shops are rare. However I have a good friend who for 50 years was the top jazz clarinetist in France and had his own band. suggest you give him a call from my part. check my e-mail code Charles
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Author: Denis
Date: 1999-02-08 14:48
Louise,
If you are not a European or are living out of European Community, you may buy everything in France at prices "out of VAT". But not all shops do that (maybe a lot of paper for them) and you may yourself have to do something (but what ?) when leaving France with your purchased goods.
That may put clarinets at a good price, but check "street price" in US before coming in France ! And ask the french shopkeeper if they do "out of VAT" sales and what you will have to do.
Envoy your journey in France !
Denis
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Author: Jacques
Date: 1999-02-09 13:52
Dear Louise
I am a French citizen living in DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) and I bought one tax free clarinet in Paris last spring.
I bought from Feeling musique, 61 rue de Rome 75008 Paris tel. 0145223080, fax 0145224018.
Before buying from this shop, I went to compare prices and services with the many other shops you can find in that street located near one of the famous Paris railway station (Saint Lazare). I found out that not only, you can get the VAT back by filling a special form which you have to give at a special desk at the airport, but you can negotiate the price down to a very competitive level. The R13 catalogue price including taxes was 13235FF. It would not be fair to Feeling to give you the exact price I got but with discount and without tax it became less that 9500FF.
Through feeling it should be possible to go to the Buffet factory to select the clarinet there. I have not done it for the one mentioned above but for another clarinet I bought in 1993.
If you have
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