[Harp-L] RE: Hohner Price Increase

[Paul Routledge <paulandrewroutledge@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I do agree that the blister packaging probably devalues the look of  
the instrument and makes it look like a cheap toy. It's hard to say  
until I see it in person. However that is also the way that many  
musicians who don't play harmonica already view it. So therefore it  
won't really affect us as players much.

I can see the argument for not being able to test it on the bellows.   
In reality though most of us (I suspect) buy from online sources so  
that would negate the bellows argument in most cases.

There is of course an argument that the increased packaging could  
increase the shipping costs of the online suppliers thereby raising  
the prices from online sources even further.

Maybe it would be good if Hohner had an online store where you could  
buy direct from the factory and choose to have your harmonica  
delivered in say, bubble wrap, a box or a blister pack. Rather than  
always using dealers and therefore raising prices as the dealers no  
doubt put their cut on top.  Also you would hopefully then never have  
the situation of "we haven't got that key in stock at the moment, but  
we can order it for you".

Just a thought.

Paul