Chris Timson Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 I was visting Colin and Rosalie Dipper the other day, picking up a concertina for a friend, and they spent upwards of 20 minutes searching for the case before they eventually gave up. It seems that at any given time they have over 100 concertina cases littering the house. I can vouch for this - they fill every corner of their workshop, they're stacked up the stairs, they're even in the kitchen. Apparently they always ask people when sending concertinas not to send them in cases (a few layers of bubble-wrap is just as good) but seemingly no-one listens. The result is now probably the world's finest collection of empty concertina cases. So help your friendly neighbourhood concertina repair man, and keep the cases at home. You Know It Makes Sense. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam B Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 (I know I'll get blasted for this) - but your post doesn't instill much confidence. If they can't keep track of cases that came with instruments, how do they keep track of the instruments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Timson Posted September 28, 2003 Author Share Posted September 28, 2003 You have no need to worry. I've seen this. Every concertina is logged in on arrival, and goes in its assigned place on their shelves in the workshop (in a humidity-controlled environment). They don't lose concertinas. But they don't have the space in the workshop for all the cases as well. So they go anywhere they have space to put them. Imagine sharing your house with a hundred nearly identical black or brown boxes and you will get the scale of the problem. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyhermit Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 (I know I'll get blasted for this) - but your post doesn't instill much confidence. If they can't keep track of cases that came with instruments, how do they keep track of the instruments? I'll have to second Pam on this one, how hard is it to mark the customer's name in either china marker or a removable sticker? Seems a bit lackadaisical, I think. Especially for the prices charged for concertina repairs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yerpalal Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Folks, Don't lets not turn this cottage industry into something else. If individual craftspeople sometimes momentarily loose track of a case, so what. Its the artisan at work that we need here. A box is a box, a case a case. When I was getting involved in the repair business I worked with a guy that liked to have the instruments out of the cases 'cause they took up less room that way. We stored the cases in a single location and kept the actual instruments in racks. Its the end result that counts. One hopes to enjoy the end result. Nothing is "lost".No mindful professional is going to loose your instrument or case. The following is an advert for happy faces; here they come: Regs, Watsky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Timson Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 how hard is it to mark the customer's name in either china marker or a removable sticker? Oh, for goodness sake! Go ahead, put a sticker on a case, and then pile another hundred boxes on top of it and try and find it. The point I'm trying to make is that Colin and Rosalie live in a nice but not overly large house, which is currently infested with concertina cases, and this is not a great deal of fun for them. And it is avoidable if people would only pay heed when they ask for the concertina, not the case. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrigglefingers Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 (edited) I agree with Chris on this one. The Dippers couldn't be more conscientious or helpful. They're the finest craftspeople I've ever met, and I consider it an honour to have them help me resolve problems with my very basic Lachenal. Basically, all you need to do is follow a simple instruction. I can't see how that calls into question their extremely professional practice. If Rosalie or Colin helps you to look after your concertina you're bloody lucky. You should respect their wishes; not ignore them because it suits you better. Regards and still bloody annoyed. Jill Edited September 29, 2003 by Wrigglefingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebmcnamara Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 A possible solution: Charge a "case fee" of 300 dollars, euros or pounds for those who can't follow instructions and must send in their case. A few "case fees" would allow the hire of a case assistant, or pay for additional storage space or a storage system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 The Dippers should just sell them on eBay. Maybe all together in a "case lot". (runs away) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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