I am not going to apologize for the following expose. The music instrument market is not regulated
as such anyone can charge what they deem to be fit and make dubious
claims. We believe that such tactics are
to the detriment of customers and business that conduct fair trade. This
article is posted to authenticate the honor of our profession and trade. There
are various methods and scams on the market whereby a dishonest individual or
business owner will make certain claims. The methodology I document is for the
general benefit of consumers
SCAM 1 - THE INSTRUMENT HAS BEEN USED BY A PROMINENT
MUSICIAN OR INDVIDUAL.
On the assumption that this is true, is it not incumbent on the seller
to provide a letter from the musician, stating when and how long the instrument
was in his/her possession.
SCAM 2 - THE INSTRUMENT IS MADE IN GERMANY AND
DISPATCHED TO ITALY FOR VARNISHING, SENT BACK TO GERMANY TO BE EXPORTED TO THE
BUSINESS ENTITY IN MALAYSIA. THIS INSTRUMENT IS DEEMED TO BE ITALIAN.
This is one of the most ludicrous scam that lacks common sense. Let us
conduct a simple analysis as follows:
Retail Price of an
Italian Violin RM 15,000/-
-
German
Manufacturers cost is RM 1,000/- for manufacturing a blank violin.
-
It is expressed that
the Instrument is dispatch to Italy for
varnishing and sent back to Germany for final fitment and export.
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Our internal
calculations taking into account overland double trucking charges , application
of varnish and fitment of instruments would be about RM 3450/-
-
The manufacturer
sell the instrument for RM 5,500/-
-
Air Freight
charge is 25 percent, taxes are 10 percent and local clearing charges are
approximately 5% of instrument value
-
The landed cost
of instrument to local business entity is RM 7940/- if one were to add stocking
and management cost overheads the final cost is about RM8,895/-
The Malaysian business entity would pay commissions for the instrument
to whoever sells it and this is about
RM 3,000/-. This could be a higher figure.
The value of the instrument is RM 12,000/-. The Malaysia business entity make about RM 3,105/-
What makes this bizarre, strange and unbelievable are the following
rational that does not lend any credibility to such claims:
-
A credible German
manufacturers does everything themselves. The well known German adage ‘The
German knows best’ has epitomized their culture and trade for centuries.
-
Traditional
manufacturers can replicate Italian varnishing methods, the Chinese and Koreans
have been doing it for years. Is it conceivably more difficult for the Germans
to copy the Italian varnishing methods?
-
Would a good
manufacturer address an additional process of export, import and export for any
instrument? Isn’t this mind boggling?
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Finally can this
instrument be categorized as an Italian Instrument based on one work process?
-
Considering that
anyone can fit their own labels one has to investigate the brand name of the
violin and if it is traceable.
-
The seller must
be able to substantiate his claims by mean of documenting and allowing that you
are able to direct to the makers.
-
The other known
glaring fact is that the Italian Violin makers have not commercialized their
trade, usually one make to a Violin is a known fact at the most they would have
workshops with three to five persons working. This is the nature of the
industry.
SCAM 3- THERE ARE GIFTED AND TALENTED INDVIDUALS WHO
CAN PERFORM ON A RM300/- INSTRUMENT AND MAKE IT SOUND LIKE IT IS RM30,000/-
-
It is always
better to have a credible individual with no vested interest or gain to try out
an instrument.
-
Trying an
instrument under various conditions will reveal the consistency and nature of
the instrument.
SCAM 5 - THERE ARE OTHER BUYERS WAITING TO PURCHASE
THE INSTRUMENT.
-
This is one of
the oldest tricks in the book; if one is patient one will find a good violin.
SCAM 6 - THE INSTRUMENT HAS GOOD INVESTMENT VALUE AND
WILL APPRECIATE OVER THE YEARS.
-
The general
yardstick for instrument that appreciate in value are instruments that are in
excess of USD 100,000/- in value. Such instruments are usually authenticated by
experts in this field.
SCAM 7- A GOOD VIOLIN IS REQUIRED FOR A PERSON TO PASS
AN EXAM OR THE PERSON IS TOUTED AS A PRODIGY BY SOME TEACHER.
-
Exams do not
justify paying an exorbitant price anything below RM 15,000/- would do fine.
Any good and decent teacher would be able to guide a student through his or her
exams without the most important consideration being the instrument. The
prodigies are usually persons who are about 6-7 years of age and performing
major works.
SCAM 8- THE INSTRUMENT HAS BEEN SELECTED ESPECIALLY
FOR YOU AND YOU CAN PAY BY MEANS OF INSTALLMENT AFTER PLACING A DEPOSIT.
-
The deposit would
have covered the cost of the instrument with profits and the installments are
profits. The fact is that most parents want the best of their children and the
end result is entrapment.
SCAM 9 - A VERY COMMON SCAM IS RUNNING DOWN A
COMPETITOR OR THEIR INSTRUMENTS AND
PLANTING FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPETITORS INSTRUMENT. THIS ALSO INCLUDES
A SO CALLED EXPOSE ON THEIR HIGH PRICES AS OPPOSED TO THE INSTRUMENT THE SELLER
IS MARKETING.
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If one’s products
are so good and one is confident, there is no reason to run down a competitor!
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If one were to
place simple enquiries and request for details including contact details, it
could be established beyond doubt that the ‘expose’ is a fabrication of fictions statements on events that never
occurred.
-
If one has
obviously too much information about a competitor’s instrument and speaks more
about the competitor’s instruments, then one can be sure it is based on pure
speculation or heresy.
SCAM 10 - THERE ARE ESTABLISHMENTS, MUSIC SCHOOLS,
TEACHERS, CONDUCTORS OR MUSICIANS WITH A SIEGE MENTALITY WHEREBY THEY WILL
EXPECT A STUDENT TO PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT FROM THEM OR THROUGH THEM. THERE WILL BE THE IMPLIED AND SINISTER
THREATS THAT THE STUDENT WILL NOT HAVE LESSONS OR HAVE A PLACE IN THE
ORCHESTRA, OR STRING ENSEMBLE.
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If you feel that
your freedom of choices are restricted by any party or individual, leave
immediately. This sort of conduct should never be tolerated or accepted. Many
thrive on so called reputations or service.
-
If an
establishment or an individual are really that good and secure, they would
never have to resort to such unhealthy sales tactics. The other fact is that it is incumbent that
unconditional service by music
establishments and individuals is to be sensitive to a customer or student and
ensure their needs precede that of the music establishment or individual.
SCAM 11- THE SELLER HAS A RARE, OLD INSTRUMENT THAT
IS PRECIOUS TO THE SELLER AND THERE HAS
BEEN A LINE OF STEADY OR PROMINENT BUYERS WHO HAVE NATRUALLY BEEN REFUSED THE
OPPORTUNITY OR PRIVELEGE TO PURCHASE THE INSTRUMENT. BUT DUE TO THE PROXIMITY
TO YOU THE SELLER WOULD AGREE TO SELL YOU THE INSTRUMENT.
-
This cheap trick
can easily be torn to shreds if one were to enquire on the list of people who
wanted to purchase the instrument. If the individual or music establishments
were authentic or genuine they would never express that it is confidential.
SCAM 12- SOME ESTABLISHMENTS OR INDVIDUALS WOULD CLAIM
THAT THEY HAVE WORKSHOP OR REPAIR FACILITIES THAT ADDRESS AFTER SALES SERVICE
ON INSTRUMENTS. THEY EVEN TAKE STAGED PHOTOS AND DISPLAY ON THEIR WEBSITES
SHOWING THE INSTRUMENT REPAIRS THEY HAVE ADDRESSED.
-
We have two such
claims that we verified, either the parties have nothing to offer by means of service or tools or repair work, nor do
they have the credentials and even if they do some work it is shabby and of
such dubious quality. If you come across such claimants we will give you an
impartial and private assessment of what
we believe it to be. We expect the reaction to be one of frothing and
salivating screams of ‘bloody murder’ . Our contention is that honesty has
nothing to fear and if your really do good work, one would be able to
substantiate it.
We are sure there are many more scams than the common ones recorded
here, if you have been subject to such deception by a method that is not
registered let us know and we will ensure it is registered for the benefit of
other consumers.
All matters being fair and equal, we are also open to scrutiny, if you
feel or have heard from any party that our
company has in any way been involved, we invite any party to provide us
a fair challenge. We are very confident that our integrity has been intact.
One can quite easily tell if an
individual seller or an establishment has secure knowledge of their
instruments.
