 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: mutipleclarinetdad
Date: 2007-01-09 20:32
I am planning to go to Paris to visit the Buffet factory with a view to purchasing a Buffet Bb RC clarinet. I have spoken to a representataive at the buffet factory who gave me some quotes which are considerably lower than those quoted here in the US. The differential is such that I can do the round trip airfare, go to the factory, buy the clarinet and still have change compared to prices here. I know where the factory is and the need to make an appointment one month in advance but I am receiving contradictory information as to whether Buffet will sell directly to an individual at the factory. I would appreciate any advice, or personal experience, on the practicality of buying direct at the factory. Are there any particular tactics to be employed in being able to buy direct at the factory. Thnk you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2007-01-09 21:12
When I visited the Buffet distributer here in the US--then, Libertyville, IL--they would only sell through a dealer. Same was true for LeBlanc in Kenosha, WI.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-01-09 22:52
They Probably won't let you in. My friend purposely went to Paris for the sole reason of buying a set of buffet clarinets. He was turned away from the receptionist desk when he told her that he came to BUY a clarinet right on the spot at full price! He heard several musicians in the background playing, yet still the receptionist told him that entry is by invite or reservations only (usually only professional players were allowed). In any event, the receptionist advised him to go to the local music store where he bought his set of Bb and A clarinets.
make sure you write down the name of who you spoke too over the phone just in case the factory doesn't allow you in.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-09 23:06
Remember if you buy a clarinet in the EEC minus tax (which is why the price is less than they would be in the US), you will have to pay import duty when you arrive back in the US so you may not get the bargain you anticipate.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2007-01-10 02:48
Get any invitations in writing. Faxes are good.
Of course you could go to Chile....
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mk
Date: 2007-01-10 03:43
tell them to stop sending their junk over here and we wouldn't have to bother them in the first place......that might get you in....connections are the key....its all about who you are or probably or hopefully in your case who you know.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-01-10 04:09
C2thew - did your friend schedule an appointment in advance, for a specific date? From what you say I can't be sure. To try clarinets at the factory you need to schedule an appointment and tell them what clarinets exactly you want to try, etc.
About the original question, as far as I know, it is definitely not possible for a private person (i.e. not a dealer) to buy directly from Buffet. You can choose the clarinet there and then buy the one you chose from a dealer.
You should ask as many stores in Paris that you can, because their prices could actually vary a lot.
Regarding what Chris P said - No matter if you have a foreign passport, when you buy in France (or other EU countries, and UK too I think) you still have to pay the price including VAT at the store. The price he was quoted might or might have included VAT. At the store you pay the VAT, then at the airport you should be able to get a refund for it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bawa
Date: 2007-01-10 07:44
My neighbour recently bought an oboe for his daughter. The price they were quoted in the best woodwind shop here was almost 9000 euros and no discount (for oboes) and no choice: they would order one and no return.
Fortunately, a professional oboist friend of the teacher was going to Paris and visiting the Marigaux factory. The one he chose for her (the same model) eventually worked out at around 6000 euros, so it was really worth the visit. I guess there are a lot more to choose from in Paris, both in terms of instruments and dealers/shops...this is including VAT.
VAT returns are done differently in different EU countries. You always pay VAT (16% to 20% depending on country) and ask the shop for a VAT refund form. Make sure the shop has them before purchasing!! Some stores do it only for goods over a certain minimum amount.
Then when you leave for a non-EU country with a non-EU passport, here at the airport you have to show them the bill and the goods you are asking the refund for. You can ask for a refund in a cheque or on a credit card. You post the documents in the envelope that comes with it (there's a post box at hand) and you should get your refund within 3 months. Credit card is faster and safer. I think if you a non-EU citizen resident in an EU country, you have to pay VAT on goods until you actually leave but you shall have to check that out.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2007-01-10 12:17
mutipleclarinetdad:
I have been to the factory 3 times. Each time, I arranged the appointment at the factory with my choice of music store. To do this I emailed the store from their website www.musique-et-art.com (there is an english flag icon for the english version) and I did this well in advance and told them possible dates I would be able to go to the factory. They replied and told me which dates/times would suit them best and I managed to fit in around what they could offer me on the dates I gave them.
You CAN NOT buy the instruments directly from the factory. I had to buy them through the music store that arranged my appointment. I phoned around and tried to buy through another store which had a slightly cheaper price, but Buffet wouldn't allow this because I was already shall we say in a verbal contract with the store the organised everything for me. Buffet were nice enough to phone the music store and take a copy of my credit card details so that I could take the instruments with me directly from the factory and make my way to the music store to finalise the puchase. If they won't allow you to do this, then Buffet will send the instrument/s out to the shop within a day or so.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-01-10 12:54
mutipleclarinetdad wrote:
> I have spoken to a
> representataive at the buffet factory who gave me some quotes
> which are considerably lower than those quoted here in the US.
> The differential is such that I can do the round trip airfare,
> go to the factory, buy the clarinet and still have change
> compared to prices here.
As you notice, mutipleclarinetdada has already spoken to a rep and via email messages and telephone has confirmed that the instruments can be purchased at the factory. I've had a couple of private emails with mutipleclarinetdad and indeed the prices quoted and confirmed via 2 different paths are unbelievable.
Perhaps there is a new policy in effect at the factory?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: RAB
Date: 2007-01-10 12:56
Buying from the factory is a gamble. Sometimes they do not have a large inventory. Remember they make the clarinet and send it to distributors to sell, that is how they make money. many times you have a larger selection at a pro store than you would at the factory.
RAB
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-01-10 14:25
I would be delighted to hear if Buffet has changed their policy. They have new owners since my experience in 1997 with my Buffet Prestige. That particular clarinet was purchased by my clarinet professor through an arrangement by a music store owner friend of ours. The music store here was a major dealer (supplying several towns around here) for Buffet. He (the dealer) called the factory and set up an appointment for the prof to go and hand-select 15 or so R-13s and my Prestige. They would not let the prof take them home with him (not even the one he selected for himself), but required them to be shipped home in a regular shipment. But, he enjoyed the experience and I got a great instrument with a story. The music store owner marked the retail price UP on the hand-selected ones and did a mini clarinet symposium with the prof. Worked for all of us.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msloss
Date: 2007-01-12 00:48
Buffet isn't selling direct from the factory. Come on, it would destroy their dealer network in France if they were undercutting them like that. They also aren't the biggest fans of having folks traipsing through their facility which is why they plan and limit the visits as they do. In recent times they have also been much more limiting in terms of what they will show you in instruments. Particularly if you are coming from the US, you will probably see more horns, although perhaps not so much in the RC, in Jacksonville than in Mante la Ville.
Also, be certain that you are at such the economic advantage buying over there, even through a French dealer. The dollar is getting crushed against the Euro. Costs about $1.28 to buy 1 Euro right now. Add VAT, import duties, the trip, etc. and it isn't necessarily the most terrific financial idea. If you are going to do it, go for the experience, the education, the food, the wine, the people.
Good luck in your search.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2007-01-12 07:47
"In recent times they have also been much more limiting in terms of what they will show you in instruments. Particularly if you are coming from the US, you will probably see more horns, although perhaps not so much in the RC, in Jacksonville than in Mante la Ville."
Hmmm care to elaborate on this? I'm curious They always gave me more instruments than I knew what to do with. Found it extremely confusing actually haha... I only got to test 2 Eb's though. I think they were struggling to keep up with demand on these. The 2 I tried were so new they hadn't even had the Buffet Stamps put on them yet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-01-12 15:08
It used to happen. When I was in the West Point Band (1965-68), several players got free lifts over to Paris on military planes and picked out R-13s for $100, without a case. They left them out for several days to dull the shine, brought them back in paper bags and avoided the duty.
My parents visited the Vandoren factory in the late 1950s to get me several boxes of reeds. They said that a young American player was there, and an employee brought him out a tray of several hundred reeds to pick over. Thus, Vandoren does NOT have a guy who puts one good reed in each box. Instead, all but one of the good ones are removed.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mutipleclarinetdad
Date: 2007-01-17 20:58
I thank everyone for their contribution - maybe there is a change of policy now that Buffett Crampon are independant again. In conclusion has anyone been to the factory in the last 6 months and actually purchased a clarinet and if so how did the process go. Thanks to all.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: graham
Date: 2007-01-18 19:28
How about flying to Manchester and going to see Hanson while you are about it?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
