Re: [Harp-L] Hohner increase.....Big River

[JohnnieHarp <johnnieharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

... continuing from my last post ...

If Big River was underpriced a year ago, it suggests questionable
Hohner management at the time ... if overpriced now suggests,
questionable Hohner management now ...

Pricing and manufacturing costing is NOT rocket science ... certainly
not in this case ... well known historical cost ... same or similar
mfg method / system, location and environment ... perhaps even a
warehouse full of materials for reeds and reedplates? ... enough for
years to come?... Just Say'n ...

And for those "Hohner apologists" who will no doubt respond and rebut
this, our role as consumers in an indstry that we hope to be vibrant
long into the future, is to look out for our interests (and those of
future generations) by holding these companies feet to the fire,
regardless of their nationality, size or competitive position ... we
MUST strongly represent our best interests within the marketplace ...

It's the Hohner's of the world's role to respond in kind and in terms
of acknowleding and satifying our views and needs with respect to
product quality, value, cost/benefit, etc. ... they don't need us to
make excuses for them ... that will NOT help preserve the future
health and integrity of the market ... that being said, factual
information that may explain the marketplace, prodcution costs, etc,
is always welcome ...

So, what DOES Hohner management have to say? ... and by this I mean
MANAGEMENT ... not Steve Baker (nor Brendan Power or Joe Spiers), nor
anyone else who is already doing their part to make the harmonica
world a better place and are already highly respected in our community
... time for the horses mouth's to speak !!!

Short term financial goal oriented "over-focus" in a mature industry
dependent on long term marketshare and customer satisfaction, is
suicidal ... or at least leads to eventual business unit divestment
and, if viable, management buyout ... Hmmm, now maybe that wouldn't be
such a bad thing long-term????

The only reason I'm spending / wasting my time beating the drum is
that this seems to be a bit of a “canary in the coalmine” to me ... on
the other hand, there seems to be a strong philoshopy of product
innovation and customer focus at the the other harp companies ... so
really, the only one's that should care are those that love Hohner
products?

And, on a slightly different tangent, given the use of Harp-L to
inform us on the initial development of the B-Radical a year ago and
to solicit pre-paid orders, how 'bout a public update from Brad, re:
timing delays and actual product availability? A bit overdue don't you
think?