Re: [Harp-L] Hohner in the Local Marketplace

[fjm <bad_hat@xxxxxxxx>]

Who buys harmonicas locally?  The pricing isn't there and the key 
selection is also lacking not to mention the models available are very 
sparsely represented.  This isn't new either.  Witness the harmonica 
community dealing with the Farrels.  Long before the internet.  Photo 
copied price sheets, bizarre phone conversations and scoldings should 
you accidentally cross some line but it was all worth it because the 
prices were good and any key could be easily had.

Somebody mentioned the quality control problems that existed with Hohner 
products previously.  You bet this is why I have a full set of Lee Oskar 
harmonicas and why I've tried virtually ever new brand to emerge in the 
marketplace for the last several decades.  Luckily for me the quality 
problem was solved, thanks Steve.  That Hohner could make such a 
dreadful product for as long as they did speaks to the underlying 
perfection of their design.  Players quit the Marine Band in droves from 
the late 80's on and yet as the problems were corrected most of us came 
back.

The price is the price.  If they cost too much and nobody buys them 
Hohner will get out of the harmonica business.  If they cost too little 
and everybody buys them they'll get out of the harmonica business even 
faster.  Selling for less than cost and trying to make up the difference 
in volume has never been a great long term business strategy.  fjm