Re: [Harp-L] Some thoughts with respect to Hohner's recent pricing and packag...

[mundharp@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 21/01/2010 14:43:34 Malay Peninsula Standard Time,  
johnnieharp@xxxxxxxxx writes:

Huge  price increases from par (30%+ increase in Hohner previously 
competitive  prices in 12 months here in Vancouver), and current Hohner prices  
significantly exceeding other manufactures comparable products, is usually  
disadvantageous competitively in a mature industry.


Hohner seem to... yet again...  have
"LOST THE PLOT"
 
What was the quote, relating to the Great War  (WW1)... "Lions lead by  
donkeys"?
That seems to have always been the case with Hohner.
 
Back in the mid 1960's, I bought my harps by the dozen, direct from  Hohner 
in England. They were so badly made back then, that I'D BLOW 2 OR 3 OUT  
EVERY GIG. Then I was playing 5 or 6 times every week.
 
Expensive.
 
Then Hohner said "We are no longer to sell you harmonicas wholesale in  
bulk"... You must buy them from designated retailers at  a  30% to  100% price 
hike...
 
Back then, the ONLY diatonic harps, in multiple keys available in Great  
Britain were made by Hohner.
 
The ruling by the then Hohner "executives" (executive "DONKEYS" ?) put my  
playing back by years and years!
 
I simply could no longer afford to buy the instruments I needed.. So I made 
 do with what I had & I stoped using the superior 12 hole "Echo Vampers" 
and  opted for the not so good 10 hole "Echo Super Vampers".. Because they 
were so  much less expensive.
 
I STILL think, Hohner make good harmonicas. But if the price is going up so 
 much yet again, I guess it's time for me to start to look elsewhere.
 
Sincerely,
 
John "Whiteboy" Walden
 
British, but currently residing in:
Cebu City
Philippines.