jwhitcomb3

Guess I'll have to wait for the import line.

That is HUGE. As you noted, not everyone was in the position to build up a cushion to ride out the hard times, but those who were able to rather than max out their spending power during the good times are currently in better shape. Now if the gov't could learn that lesson... Selling off a bunch of my junk on ebay helped me through the lean times as well. I'm currently selling off my study aids.

Actually, you're still not getting it. You never do, really. See if you can get this straight: you have NO idea what it takes to run a business, online, brick-and-mortar or otherwise. I understand. You don't disagree with what I have to say, it just upsets you that I'm saying it. -Jonathan

No, but don't expect your unsubstantiated bluster about how to succeed in the business world to go unchallenged. And again, nowhere have I contended that adapting to changing business environments is not universal. I really hope you're better at twisting words in a courtroom or at a deposition than you are on the forum. So, let me get this straight. Even though I changed my career in the face of changing business environments, and you agree adapting to changing business environments is universal, somehow my comments on a business adapting to changing business environments is "unsubstantiated bluster?" Got it. Other than getting excited that I'm the one who commented, you haven't actually disagreed with any of my comments. Perhaps you're taking this too personally? -Jonathan

I love it when somebody on an internet message board pops off complaining that somebody else is popping off on an internet message board. This is the forum. Perhaps you feel better qualified to opine here than others? My hat goes off to the small retailers, who certainly have their share of challenges. All businesses do. Despite your contentions, the realities of adapting to survive changing business situations are universal. Businesses who are surprised that consumers seek the lowest prices will have a tough row to hoe. Those that can add value services will have a fighting chance. The retailers represented on this board appear to be working hard to do just that. -Jonathan

Irrelevant. It's all about understanding your assets, your risks, and your opportunities. And then doing something about it. A little luck helps too. Sometimes standing pat in the face of change works. Sometimes not. Internet commerce isn't going away. Businesses can choose to leverage it or try to compete with it. I wouldn't put my money on trying to compete with it.

And those that can't do or have never done often make statements such as these. That's right. I didn't just adapt my career in the face of changing business conditions!

I suppose any time someone responds to a post with a story they must be taking it personally. Business conditions have always changed. Those that can adapt survive. -Jonathan

I said that I turn to ebay due to limited retail options where I live. I can buy all the Peavey and Squire stuff I need right downtown. Has there ever been a time when businesses didn't have to adapt to changes in lifestyle and technology? It seems there are ways for the brick-and-mortar businesses to leverage their expertise with the new technologies. How about a service that receives instruments purchased on ebay, inspects them, cleans them, and sets them up for customers? A network of independent dealers that can rotate and exchange stock and cross-order? An instrument exchange network?

+1

Living in a very small city in a small state, there are lots of items that I could neither buy nor sell locally. Batteries for 10 year old synths. Parts for an out of production vacuum. I've had one bad ebay transaction out of hundreds, which is a better percentage than I've had with brick and morter retailers. I think it comes down to common sense. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If the seller is a new ebayer, I factor that into my bidding. If the ad copy is snarky, or if the seller doesn't answer questions, I don't bid. I generally buy within the USA.

Interesting how nylon and steel string guitars were lumped together. I doubt most classical or flamenco guitarists would identify themselves as playing "acoustic guitar." -Jonathan

Let's try King Solomon's solution: each contribute 997.50 and then we'll cut it in half!

Back up with a $1995 BIN.

The auction was ended early. WTF?

Yep. And the reserve isn't even met. -Jonathan

Scary news! I hope you are as comfortable as possible and can get some rest! Good luck getting back up and around. -Jonathan

Who said "only"? Hamer's existence is unlikely to be affected by anything I have done or will do. Your analysis can be turned on its head: if Hamer was more successful marketing its instruments, there wouldn't be absurdly low priced used Hamers available. My love for Hamer guitars has little to nothing to do with their marketing strategy. It has everything to do with their attention to detail, their skills as designers and craftsment, and their love of making great guitars. -Jonathan

+1

I wish to thank Hamer for its market missteps and all the bruised egos it has inflicted over the years. It has contributed to Hamer not being a household name, and conseqently, kept their resale prices absurdly low. In fact, if Hamer has refused your custom order, only to subsequently build the same piece for someone else, or if a Hamer employee didn't express his everlasting gratitute for your patronage to your satisfaction, I encourage you to express your displeasure by selling all of your USA Hamers at once! Go buy other brands who make you feel better about yourself. Badmouth Hamer on public forums. Shake your mighty fist in the air and let it be known that guitar makers may disrespect you at their own peril! -Jonathan

"Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren" Very singer-songwriter. "Utopia" (1982). Killer power pop album. I also have a soft spot for "Healing", but it is an acquired taste (heavy on the synths). -Jonathan

Agreed. My mother loves 'em, but I can't get by the thin tone (and yes, I've tried the 1778T). If you can find one, the Takamine Solid Series (F370SS and F470SS) were all solid wood guitars that sound great. The 370 series is a dread, the 470 series is mini jumbo. I had a F470SS-CD (CD means cedar top) and it sounded better than anything else I'd ever found for under $1500 (I got mine for around $500). The solid koa back and sides looked great too! -Jonathan

Jol marched to his own drummer. As a result he was involved with making some beautiful things, and pissed off some folks with seemingly arbitrary and sometimes inconsistent decisions. Isn't that pretty much the definition of an artist? After reading this thread, I can't imagine why he didn't want to hang out in this forum. After all, it's fun to be a punching bag. If he'd just done everything that everybody wanted of him, he would have been much more popular. But I don't buy the most popular guitars. I buy Hamers. However he ran his ship, it worked for me. -Jonathan

I haven't seen them in any shops, just a couple on ebay. A Walnut Goose dreadnaught was going for $1200 US, which I thought was a screaming deal. For the purposes of this thread, I think the likelihood of coming across a Boucher OM for sale in the US to be very small. I hope the world is treating you well!

That's like saying "describe your favorite shoe." Favorite for what? I love my Huss & Dalton 00-SP for fingerstyle, my Lowden 0-32 for open tunings and situations where I need power and volume, and my Gurian S3M for everything else. You flatpicking? Fingerpicking? Hybrid? Playing jazz? rock? bluegrass? Folk? Recording? Playing live? Playing solo or with a group? If with a group, what are the other instruments? FWIW, I own 4 acoustics, and none of 'em is a dreadnaught. Closest I have to an OM is the Gurian, which is a great instrument, but has a very narrow neck, so not wonderful for fingerstyle. On the other hand, it is great for electric players who want a familiar feeling neck. Not easy to find here at all, but when they do come up you can usually get a great deal. Great guitars. -Jonathan