Conference napalm::commusic_v1

   > They specifically do not carry Ensoniq or Yamaha (part
   > of the deal with Roland).
    
    Pardon my language, but that's a real shit thing for Roland to do.
    
    It certainly doesn't sit well with me (who's on the verge of buying
    a $2k+ piece of Roland equipment from EUW).
    
    In fact, I might even fault EUW for accepting such a deal.  One wonders
    what they "got for it".
    
    But please, let's not give them any trouble about it.  DECMS is a great
    idea (even if I do say so myself) and I don't want to jeopardize it.
    Only wanted to make a comment.
    
    	db

    Note also that Daddy's carries Ensoniq, Yamaha AND Roland.  So this is
    an EU-only thing.
    
    I have a friend who's a VP there.  I can ask him about it
    without causing any trouble.
    
    	db

    I seem to be going for the record of most consecutive notes!  ;-)
    
    Y'know Dave (Orin),
    
    It occurred to me that it might be EXTREMELY valuable to be able to
    give a reasonable accounting of the buying power of DECMS.  It could
    provide a lot of leverage in dealing with stores.
    
    I haven't thought about it much, but I might suggest that you ask
    folks to send you a list of everything they bought last year and
    do some kind of simple statistical reduction (like even just a
    total sum).
    
    I'll bet you, between us all, we may account for more than $100,000
    in business EACH YEAR!!!!  That would comand attention, believe me.
    
    	db

    < Note 1338.2 by DREGS::BLICKSTEIN "The height of MIDIocrity" >
                                 -< EUW-only >-

>    Note also that Daddy's carries Ensoniq, Yamaha AND Roland.  So this is
>    an EU-only thing.
    
    This is partially true and partially not true.  
    
    While Daddy's does carry Yamaha, they don't sell any of the Yamaha pro
    gear in the Boston store because LaSalles has the Yamaha line for
    Boston.
    
    However, in Salem, NH you can see all three lines.
    
    Kind of a pain.  I bought my KX76 at Daddy's in Boston (used, not
    new), but wasn't able to get the piano type sustain pedal (FC4 I
    think) because that is an accessory carried in the pro line.  Mike,
    the manager (the sax player in my band), said he might be able to
    work something out, but it sounded like it would be a hassle for
    him.  I think I'll just drive to Salem or mail order from someplace
    else.
    
    		Derek 
    

    This same odd combinations of what can be bought at stores occurs
    out here in Colorado also. Some lines of some products can be bought
    at some stores, but not others. What a confusing Mess. 
    
    Just for statistic purposes, I've spent about $1,200 at music stores
    since January.
    
    								Jens

    I'm planning on buying a Roland S-550 rack-mount sampler.
    
    I'm going to mention DECMS but I'm planning on buying it at the Boston
    store cause that's where my friend works (and Worcestor is way out
    of my way), and there are people there whom I deal with regularly
    who know that I can't be BS'ed about prices.
    
    Regarding what Eddie says about why they don't carry Yamaha and
    Ensoniq, frankly I don't believe that, and I have fairly good
    reason not to either.  At best, he's glossing over the real truth
    
    First, it just doesn't make sense.  The DX7, Mirage and ESQ-1 are 
    high volume, high margin, well supported, excellent products
    and those companies have a reputation of being good to their
    retailers.
    
    Second, as I recall that EUW lost their Yamaha license.  Don't
    remember exactly why, but EUW was a different place as little as a few
    years ago.  Things are much different (better) now.  In fact, I'm
    pretty much buying everything from them now.
    
    Anyway, Dave, I'd really rather you didn't repeat any of this to him.
    I have no doubt that this guy is capable of giving DECMS some very
    valuable help and it won't help things to seem to question what he has
    said.  You should just take things with a grain of salt.  Including
    what I've said (I could be wrong.)
    
    	db

    It's not unusual for a company to offer a franchise owner some sort
    of a "protected area" where, in return for buying the franchise,
    the owner is given the exclusive rights to market the goods in a
    given area without fear of competition.
    
    Dunno if'n it holds true in this case...
    
    Edd

    I betcha the problem about certain stores carrying only certain brands
    has to do with CMA's. 60 Minutes did a story on Coca-cola and Pepsi
    distibutors who get the grocery store chains to carry only *their*
    product by paying them BIG Money up front. Sort of Payola-Cola.
    Apparently other Big Co.'s are squeezing the smaller and sometimes
    the bigger competitors out by having the store sign a contract (CMA,
    I forget what it means) agreeing to prominently display only *their*
    product. This practice is becoming more common, but is now being
    investigated by the Justice Dept.
    
    Neal

    CMA:== Calendar Marketing Agreement
    
    Edd

    re: .9
    
    Ya beat me to it Neal.  That was a very enlightening piece.
    
    Let's hope the justice department starts going after Roland if that's
    what's REALLY going on at EUW.  However, as I've said, I'm not sure
    that's exactly the case.
    
    BTW, the justice department is doing more than "investigating" this.
    There are some cases in which they've already handed down indictments.
    And Pepsi was scared enough either by the bad publicity or the fear
    that they might lose (it's a shame that we'll never know which) to
    agree to a settlement which involved paying millions of dollars to
    their competitors!
    
    This is why I try to avoid buying Coke and Pepsi products.  As much
    as those companies battle each other, we still see all the effects
    of an oligopoly.  Gimme a Dr. Pepper over a "Coke-SI" anyday.
    
    	db

    re .10 - "Calendar" marketing agreement?  I thought it was
    "Cooperative" Marketing Agreement.  What would the calendar have
    to do with it?
    
    I doubt very much that it's Roland who's telling EUW they can't
    sell Yamaha or Ensoniq.  Some time back the guys *I* know at EUW
    said they didn't carry Yamaha because their stuff was too expensive
    for what it does.  Now, I doubt that EUW really has that much of
    a concern about our wallets that they'd decline the opportunity
    to carry a profitable line.  I think it rather more likely that
    Yamaha and Ensoniq had something to say about EUW carrying their
    products.  For a while EUW wasn't paying its bills on time, and
    that does wonders for a creditor's willingness to do business with
    you.
    
    len.
    

    Yep, "Calendar". ... and damned if I know why.
    
    Edd
    
    

    According to the fellow at Sam Ash I talked to Roland won't let them
    mail order any roland gear, persumably due to the discounts that Sam
    Ash offers...
     
    db2

It's Calender 'cause in the Coke-Pepsi instance, Coke would buy this 
exclusivity for 6-month at a time whacks, Pepsi would in turn buy the 
remaining 6-months. 

�Rick�

It maybe that selling synths is similar to selling PC CAD software which my
wife did for a few years.  First she had to qualify for as a dealer and
then she was given a "territory".  She could only sell to people in her
territory. The PC CAD companies would not accept an order for a product that
was outside her territory.  This was supposedly good for the dealers because
it reduced competition and kept prices high. (High is only relative in that
you can't making a living selling PC CAD software)  

Dana