Does anyone sell reed samplers?

debitspread · 05-13-2003, 03:25 AM

This is kind of a crazy idea -- but if anyone is actually doing it, I'd like to hear from you.

The idea is to sell a sampler of reeds from different manufacturers. Like in a sampler you might get 2 or 3 reeds each from Hemke, Superial, Rico, etc., etc.

That way, you wouldn't have to buy the whole box, but you still could try a wide range of different offerings.

So are there any retailers who are selling something like this?

SopranoSue · 05-13-2003, 03:39 AM

I think that's a great idea! Anyone?

jackr · 05-14-2003, 03:07 PM

Heres a link to a shop that sells individual reeds:

http://www.ucrestmusic.com/reedinfo.htm

Gaijin-san · 05-14-2003, 03:45 PM

I think that's an awesome idea. I'm so limited to what I can try because it's ludicrous to buy individual reeds and I don't go through enough to get to try many.

**Morry** · 05-14-2003, 07:52 PM

Vandoren sells some of their reeds in "twin packs". I've used those to help me decide on a reed strength. Buying 10 reeds, only to find out it's the wrong strength, is a lousy thing.

Demolisher_2000 · 05-15-2003, 04:33 AM

That is happening to me right now but I shave my reeds. I need a more refined way though other than taking a nail file to shave it. Its a 3 but I like 2 3/4 so I shave it and its perfect now.

Gaijin-san · 05-15-2003, 01:19 PM

Haha, any idea on how to take a 5 down to a 3? Oh yeah, without destroying the reed...

Karl Dunkel · 06-22-2003, 10:30 PM

If you are fortunate enough to live close to a good-sized music store (I have one about 40 miles from my home) you might want to talk to them about getting a selection of reeds. After reading the original post in this article, I called around to different music stores and found one that carried a LOT of different brands - and I do mean a LOT. Hemke, LaVoz, Rico (of course), VanDoren, Bari, etc. After talking to the sales associate at the counter, explaining what I was trying to do, I walked out of there with a bag full of tenor reeds for exactly $2USD per reed. Not exactly a bargain price, but considering that the group I purchased included Bari's and Fibracells, I think I did pretty good.

On another slant, if any of you know personally a shop that carries a good selection of reeds, and does business over the Internet, you might be able to coax them into putting such a sample pack together for resale - let's say two of each in a particular strength, post the website here, I'm pretty sure that they could sell quite a few. I know that I'd buy a few of them myself, since I am getting back into the sax after a long absence, and when I paused from playing I was lucky to be able to get Rico Royals...

Bear · 06-24-2003, 07:26 AM

Hi folks. I have been thinking about starting a little internet company that would sell sax and clarinet reeds on a one by one basis. Since I am facing unemployment soon I'll have the time to do it. What do you think? I have already investigated packaging and mailing costs, etc. I don't know about the sales tax implications or other legalese yet. I can't seem to be able to buy wholesale unless I get a full blown business license, etc. For now I could just buy boxes retail then resell singly. Questions - do I need a toll free number or should I just use the internet? Do the manufacturers care about this type of selling? Is it worth the hassle? What types and strengths would most players like? Comments are welcome.

Karl Dunkel · 06-24-2003, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear

Hi folks. I have been thinking about starting a little internet company that would sell sax and clarinet reeds on a one by one basis. Since I am facing unemployment soon I'll have the time to do it. What do you think? I have already investigated packaging and mailing costs, etc. I don't know about the sales tax implications or other legalese yet. I can't seem to be able to buy wholesale unless I get a full blown business license, etc. For now I could just buy boxes retail then resell singly. Questions - do I need a toll free number or should I just use the internet? Do the manufacturers care about this type of selling? Is it worth the hassle? What types and strengths would most players like? Comments are welcome.

Hi Bear. I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, but...

Without the advantage of being able to buy wholesale, it would be difficult to meet or beat some of the prices found on the Internet already and still make enough of a profit to make it worth your while. Take Vandoren V16's as an example. A box of 5 can be had on the Net for around $12, or $2.40 each. You can buy them for less than $3 individually either on the Net or at a music shop (They are about $2.75 retail at a local music store here and one of the web merchants sells them for $2.73. Figure in your time and shipping costs, you'd either have to up the price or lose your shirt. Factor in the 2-3% upcharge that credit card companies ask for using their cards, the hassle of dealing with personal checks, well, it gets even worse (It would kinda stink to get hit with a $25 fee for a bounced check for $10 worth of reeds - and you know it will happen...)

I wouldn't bother with a toll free number, that would just be more overhead. It might be something you could add at a later date once sales get going. You'd have to be willing to answer the phone 24/7 or have an answering machine that you would have to check at least several times a day and return calls. More expense.

And the website? That's probably the easiest, there are several companies that will set you up with a marketplace on the net, but again, you are still looking at at least $15 per month for something very basic - and you HAVE to be willing and able to check your mail constantly. And respond to each and every one. I can't tell you the number of items I've bought somewhere else because my email did not get answered in a timely fashion.

Be very careful about the sales tax and legalese. Basically (Very basic - I don't know squat about sales and marketing) you will have to charge sales tax for selling within your state, and the way it looks, there may be some states soon that require you to charge sales tax for selling products in their state over the Internet. And keep very careful records - when the tax man comes knocking, you better have your ducks in a row or be prepared to lose everything, even if it's not related to your business. And I strongly encourage you to get licensed, you'd be opening up a can of worms without one.

Now on a positive note - I think your idea is good. I would really like to see someone carry EVERY reed in EVERY strength, offer individual reeds, sample packs of reeds, and reed accesories. I think it's an idea that could actually get off the ground. But you'd probably be a while getting the word out, building (hopefully) a good reputation as a decent business person. Offer shipping via UPS, FedEx, USPS. The competition that's out there does the same, you have to get an approach that will separate you from the rest of the herd.

Who knows, maybe this could be the start of something that will grow into a major business for you. I hope that it does, and wish you the best of luck. Let me know when your business cards are ready!!

Take care,

Karl