Herein lies the crux of the matter. Instrument repair is the opposite of Wal-Mart. Too many people expect to be able to simply return it if they simply don't like it. Everyone forgets that's a WalMart customer service policy and not the way things are in the rest of the commercial world. Never has been. Doc lives with and accepts "Caveat Emptor." I do also, and I've had some projects that I've been immenently pleased, and still play on a regular basis, and others that I wasn't, and I had to eat it. Unless the final consumer is willing and able to take all the risk, then the triangle should not happen.Doc wrote:I do this knowing that if I buy the horn, and RepairDude does what he can, I am stuck with whatever I get. I understand RepairDude is top-tier in the business and will give his best effort, but that he is not a miracle worker every single time. I also understand the gamble of buying a tuba sight unseen. If I choose to gamble in this manner, I have to make sure the savings in shipping for trials and repairs, etc. is worth the gamble.
If possible, bloke's advice is best. In the grand scheme of things, another shipping cost, properly packed and shipped with insurance, is a marginal cost compared to the project, and personal collection is best if unsure about the shipping. A person shouldn't buy or sell stock worrying about the commission, and a person shouldn't engage in projects if overly concerned about shipping time or costs, whether through a common carrier or the cost of time and gasoline to drive to pick up the purchase.
