Good bye, WWBW...

[MartyNeilan]

I didn't see anything in the article about it.... but I would assume that they are going strictly on-line with their Music 1-2-3 retailer.

This thread made me look up their website today. I have been wanting an acoustic bass guitar to better blend in with the more acoustic Sunday night services my church does (my Warlock does not go over well for that) as well as stuff we do at work sometimes. I found a damaged one online for a very reasonable price, called the same 800 number I have called for 20 years, and negotiated a deal. When I received my confirmation email, it came from Musicians Friend.
I miss dealing with Charlie and Roger there. Last year I called about a used bass trombone they had in stock. I asked to speak with a trombone specialist. They informed me that any one of their reps was equally qualified and could help me. Needless to say, they knew nothing of the sort.
I have bought a used Reynolds bass trombone, B&M CC tuba, Miraphone 1290 CC tuba, and a Yamaha P200 keyboard from them over the years, as well as different accessories. They will be missed.

[opus37]

This is a bummer and expected. In these times, businesses have to manage their costs. It is a business after all. Since we mostly buy our stuff on line and inventory at the local shops is small, maybe we have to organize our own local shows to try instruments and mouthpieces. Using the list of tuba Christmas players (or similar events) a local store could sponsor an event. They could get local folks who have the range of horns and mouthpieces for others to try. I don't know what incentives could be available to show off your horn/mouthpiece, but it would be a way to get new folks to ry a broad range of things before purchasing. Just a thought.

[Alex C]

Dennis Bamber really created something special by growing the business from the back of a barbershop as a result of great service and fair prices. A lot of us were able to play Meinl Westons, Miraphones, and (in my case) some really cool special stuff like a Cerveny oval rotory euphonium, because Dennis had the skill and foresight to buy quality in quantity and demand good deals from great manufacturers.

...

For my part, I will always be greatful for the chance to try out multiple horns, talk to Charlie in the tuba room, and buy instruments that might have been out of financial reach otherwise. Fortunately, we still have some great options available, with people who play and really care about players and are willing to stock a lot of expensive inventory. Unfortunately, they are now almost all on the East and West coasts.

Ditto and add Roger to that catalogue of pleasures.

Is it an opportunity for another company? Not in this economy! Hold on to your drawers boys, it could get really rough.

[bort]

Is it an opportunity for another company? Not in this economy!

It's an opportunity for sales for existing companies.

When WWBW is gone, there will still be people who want to buy the goods WWBW used to sell. They will now take their business to other stores like BBC, Dillons, Horn Guys, etc. And those other companies could benefit and get more sales from less competition. I would NOT expect another separate company to start up to try to catch these former WWBW customers.

The problem though isn't that the shoppers have no place to buy those goods. The problem is that the 115 jobs that are cut are gone for good. It ain't like BBC or Dillon's is understaffed and looking to exponentially grow their staff.

[MartyNeilan]

They could always keep the same website and initials, and become WoodWind and BlokeWind.

[Dan Schultz]

Is it an opportunity for another company? Not in this economy!

It's an opportunity for sales for existing companies.

When WWBW is gone, there will still be people who want to buy the goods WWBW used to sell. They will now take their business to other stores like BBC, Dillons, Horn Guys, etc. And those other companies could benefit and get more sales from less competition. I would NOT expect another separate company to start up to try to catch these former WWBW customers.

The problem though isn't that the shoppers have no place to buy those goods. The problem is that the 115 jobs that are cut are gone for good. It ain't like BBC or Dillon's is understaffed and looking to exponentially grow their staff.

It has little to do with the economy. The problem here as I see it is that there are very few folks out there in cyberland who are willing to pay a few extra bucks for such things as personal service and the luxury of 'play before you buy'. Everyone seems to be consumed by the Walmart mentality of try it and take it back if you don't like it.

Any retail worth their salt is worthy of being paid for their time, trouble, and investment.

[Mark]

The combination of low prices and high rent/service requires volume that they evidently weren't achieving.

This isn't necessarily true. The WWBW division might be profitable, but not as profitable as the other divisions. So, by dropping WWBW and shifting those resources into the other divisions, they will be increasing profits.

Mark

[Waltski]

When I was looking for a decent soft case for my Miraphone 191, the only place I could find that offered the Soundwear Pro case I really wanted was WWBW. Roger helped me with with the order and correct sizing, and kept me encouraged during the 4 months it took to make and ship from Germany. I've bought a few other items there that I could have ordered from other suppliers, but went to WWBW because of their service. Thank you, WWBW...

[Ferguson]

I hear that Guitar Center/WWBW was renting that building from Dennis Bamber, former owner of WWBW.

Truth?

Ferguson

[Alex C]

It’s hard enough to communicate in print, even harder on the internet.

Is it an opportunity for another company? Not in this economy!

It's an opportunity for sales for existing companies.

…

It has little to do with the economy. The problem here as I see it is that there are very few folks out there in cyberland who are willing to pay a few extra bucks for such things as personal service and the luxury of 'play before you buy'. Everyone seems to be consumed by the Walmart mentality of try it and take it back if you don't like it.

…

My mention of “the economy” was not an exclusive reference to the economic environment, none of us type everything we think in a Tubenet response.
Walmart is a gigantic part of this economy which sells everything China makes and with which most of us are too familiar.

Is it an opportunity for another company? Not in this economy!

It's an opportunity for sales for existing companies.
etc. ...

Your real world experience in retail sales certainly verifies your comments. A significant economic downturn could make less competition irrelevant, I was emphasizing those thoughts. Too dark?

As above, most of us are just writing a Tubenet response and tailoring what we would say in a op-ed column in the newspaper. whew

[bort]

It's all good, and I didn't mean to bust your chops. I just meant that sometimes it's okay and actually a good thing for businesses (automakers, banks, ...) to be allowed to fail!

[bort]

And I think Wal-Mart's bubble will eventually "pop" too. Maybe rising prices in China isn't so bad after all.

[bort]

WalMart has never had a store in Manhattan and probably never will (old politics, union stuff, old laws like you'd expect from a 400 year old city). Its a great thing.

And I know that the store serves its purpose in some places. Its just gotten out of control and the American way of having everything and having it cheaper and faster is impossible to sustain forever.

[Roger Lewis]

Just to clarify a bit. Yes they were leasing the building from Dennis Bamber and the lease ran out LAST February. They have been paying month to month since then. They have never liked the location since it was not in a downtown strip mall like the GC stores and they could not get it to fit the GC model. A fender "Strat" is a Fender "Strat" whereas each 186 has it's own personality.

Just my observations.
Roger

[tbn.al]

I wanna know when the WWBW inventory reduction starts.

The article under the video says the liquidation will be in November and December. I've already checked the website for my tuba of interest and find it is in stock. Hmm..........

[Roger Lewis]

My apologies. I was gone by the end of February and was not aware of the lease extension.

Sorry for the mis-information.
Roger

[Leto Cruise]

Liquidation

A word for saying "Our merchandise will be extremely cheap" am I right? Just my 2 cents.

[BVD Press]

Liquidation

A word for saying "Our merchandise will be extremely cheap" am I right? Just my 2 cents.

Probably correct, but it is also what is left when liquidation begins. You can probably get a lifetime supply of valve oil for fairly cheap!

[Rochester2013]

Liquidation

A word for saying "Our merchandise will be extremely cheap" am I right? Just my 2 cents.

It is a sad situation, but I think my bank account will take a hit when liquidation starts. Same 'upside' to Borders closing. Went there yesterday 40-60% off.

[Rev Rob]

It is a sad situation, but I think my bank account will take a hit when liquidation starts. Same 'upside' to Borders closing. Went there yesterday 40-60% off.

Books are a little different than large brass musical instruments. You pay $28.00 for a book with a print run in the millions and you pay $5,750 for a tuba with a manufacturing run of hundreds. Tubas have a specialized and small customer base, which purchases relatively expensive musical instruments. The inventory can be sold easily and profitably to other musical retailers rather than be liquidated at fire sale prices.

Even if they were to offer lets say a new Miraphone 1292s for $3500.00, they would quickly get snatched up, but how many would buy a tuba just because it was a quality tuba at a fire sale price, rather than purchasing it because there was a genuine desire and need?

Just asking - inquiring minds want to know.