We are getting more customers walking into our establishment and share how they have been manipulated and deceived by teachers who are teaching their children. Fraudulent conduct is not limited to what we perceive as the ‘ have not’s’ or the ones who are not qualified, or the most prominent of individuals and it cuts across ethnicity, age and gender. The thievery is perpetrated in such a notorious, outlandish and outrageous manner that we are compelled to write in an informative manner and hope it will help the consumer.
· If a Teacher is introducing an instrument, ask them the following questions:
- What is the origin of the instrument?
- What is the value of the instrument?
- What are the technical advantages of the instrument?
- Is the instrument authentic?
- Are there choice variables?
- Do you need to upgrade the instrument?
- Is there a written warranty or guarantee on the instrument?
- Would you need to upgrade the instrument for a grade 8 level or diploma?
- Is it possible to try the instrument out against competitive instruments for at least one week?
- Are you allowed to get an independent unbiased opinion from external sources?
- Is knowledge of the instrument available on the internet.
If the teacher can’t answer or even fulfill one of the stated requirements, do not purchase the instrument.
· We had a customer contact us with regard to a half size Cello and full size violin that was sold by teachers who are attached to a prominent and renowned orchestra. I had in fact been part of an enquiry panel for this orchestra where they dispatched instruments to us for an evaluation report, without prior notification as to who had sold the instruments was anonymity to secure the integrity. Subsequently after tendering the report I was called in to testify. I was surprised and saddened to see our local teachers who had the privilege to be part of the esteemed orchestra compromised by greed despite receiving payments in excess of most in the music fraternity. The testimony that followed was incisive and precise, the silence from the teachers accused was deafening. This is one of the many cases involving these teachers.
- The cello as we evaluated was our Chinese instrument with our label as such it was traceable. The retail value was not more than RM 1,200/-. The customer was induced to purchase those instruments for a shocking amount in excess of RM 8,000/- with the ploy that the instrument was handmade and the origin was European.
- The violin was a Romanian instrument that cost no less than RM 2,000/- and again it was sold in excess.
- It was expressed to the customer that both instruments were sourced and handpicked by the teachers themselves on their travel overseas. The fact that they procured it locally and had already received discounts to enable that the cost was covered displays that extravagance and greed that appears to characterize some members of the teaching profession.
Such deception is possible not because customers are fools but due to the customer extending a combination of naivety, trust and goodwill. Imagine this is tax free monies that gained with hardly any work.
· There is also the case of teacher who is an Indian classical violinist who took two instruments from us and passed it off as Italian instruments and managed to generate a shabby certificate- this act is really misrepresentation and is criminal in nature.
· If a teacher were to express to you that you are receiving a very special deal as such the highest level of confidentiality should be maintained or that one must ensure you do not express to any party especially ‘ Dominic ‘ - you will immediately know that the instrument is either overpriced, overrated or the origin is dubious. The best way to protect the interest is by means of secrecy. Walk away from such deals and discharge the teacher immediately.
· If a teacher employs the name dropping technique or uses any know individual, even persons from prominent orchestras or virtuoso instrumentalist to introduce instruments and bypass the standard audit check and balances of instruments you can be quite certain that something is amiss.
· If a teacher cannot offer one choice variables in instrument selection, written warranties or a reasonable time period to test instruments. One can be certain that it is not worth the purchase.
· If a teacher is unable to categorize an instrument for usage level, one can be certain that they do not have in-depth knowledge of the instruments.
· If a teacher claims that the higher the price of an instrument the better its quality or tone there must be evidence to support this.
· If a teacher tenders a patently laughable claim that an instrument sounds ‘ Chinese ‘ ask them what is the precise definition and character of a Chinese sound?
· To avoid any misdemeanor or untoward incidents, it is better to take a three month period to evaluate instruments.
· Also consider that one can get a fairly good German instrument (Violin) for between RM 6,000/- to RM 10,000/- with a three year warranty.
· We have always advocated and promoted customer’s rights by allowing them to take instruments back and try out but we find that even such positive engagement is compromised by the teachers who will do everything possible to undermine our instruments and propose theirs all in the name of money.
Deception and corruption is possible only because we choose not to see it. The fact is all segments and strata’s of society are infected in some way or other by corruption, but it is unacceptable when teachers who essentially are held in trust as frontline caregivers engage in such dubious activities- it brings the profession to disrepute. Children of innocence should never be exposed to such teachers and teachers must always be aware that it is an honor and privilege beyond commercial gain to cultivate the heart of a child.
One good technique to secure the integrity of a purchase is to have an outside party who does not have knowledge of where you are purchasing an instrument to help you make comparisons.
With the few exceptions that we have come across the music establishment have fixed prices and this is far more secure with some anomalies. We will print the names of authentic sellers of Orchestral string instruments.
Dominic Damian
15th October 2013
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