 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: systemxpert
Date: 2009-09-22 16:54
Hello,
I am toying with the idea of starting a small side business selling clarinets. This topic has probably come up before. First, I am a clarinetist of 25 years not some troll that has no idea where the reed goes trying to make a quick buck. In doing my research I have come across 1 stumbling block..trial policies. On the supply side, suppliers like Patricola, Rossi, Chadesh, etc. have pretty strict no-return policies. On the customer side, everyone wants a liberal trial / return policy on Clarinets. My question is...as fellow clarinetists what would you consider a fair return policy? 7 Days, 14 Days, 21, 30 ?
I don't mind keeping a small inventory, but I fear abuse of a loose return / trial policy. IE People using 30 day return policies as a free rental periods playing concerts and then deciding to return anyway. I wonder sometimes how some retailers can offer 30 trial policies knowing returned clarinets are resold as new. How new is a clarinet that has been returned over and over again then resold as new? Seems a bit unethical.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2009-09-22 17:06
systemxpert wrote:
> IE People using 30 day return
> policies as a free rental periods playing concerts and then
> deciding to return anyway.
Well, a trial policy IS just that - hopefully they DO get to play a concerto or some chamber music with it during that time, not just sit in the practice room.
What you're really worried about is lookers vs. buyers. I'm not so sure it's all that bad - it's reasonably onerous to have to supply a credit card number, you will put a hold on it, the prospective buyer needs to pay for shipping to/from, etc.
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Author: systemxpert
Date: 2009-09-22 17:18
Mark,
Good point. If it was me I would want a real trial beyond the soundproof practice room. IE. Being able to experience the resonace of a stage, concert hall. etc etc.
Maybe I just worry too much.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-09-22 17:55
The makes of clarinets you mentioned are all costume made so of course there can't be a return policy. You order it you buy it. I buy my students, and myself, clarinets from Vincent Marinelli in Wilmington DE. He has a fairly liberal trial policy but I'm not sure how long it is because I've never had to return one. I know when I bought my last clarinet for myself, 3 years ago, I choose a new Selmer Signature and tried all he had, about 6 or 7. First I tried many Recital clarinets and about a dozen Buffets, fell in love with the Signature on first play. I always take a lot of time choosing the one I like best. I took it home and played it for about two weeks and tried it out in my symphony to make sure it blended with the section, it did. No one else plays a Selmer. Everyone should know that you shouldn't play a new clarinet for two long in the beginning so I think doing a concerto or major chamber music piece is probably out of the question. I played it no more than a half hour a day. After a few weeks I took it back to Vince to make the necessary adjustment to make it more "personnel" for me and make sure the instrument was in perfect adjustment. A week later I picked it up and it was perfect for me. I still only played it a half hour a day for a few more weeks. Had it been in the winter instead of the summer I would have taken more time "breaking" it in.
My suggestion is 10-14 days for a trail period, if someone can't make a decision by then they never will. The problem is, what happens if that person plays the "new" clarinet for several hours a day instead of a decent break in routine? You just don't know do you? ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: systemxpert
Date: 2009-09-22 19:44
Ed,
Thank you for your response. You bring up some very good points about breaking new instruments. In fact, it states on the Taplin-Weir site under the warranty section that "improperly breaking in a new clarinet" is not covered.
As a side note, I used to play a Selmer...but it was a very old model...so old there was no serial # on it. I checked your website its fantastic! I liked your article on Symphony Jobs very realistic and every parent should read it before his/her child goes off to college to major in music.
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