MI Pro

What happened - deja vu?

Did you get bored with all the constructive comments, or did the Thought Police put the frighteners on?

Please at least show the comment that accurately reported what happened at the launch, and a response, if there is to be one, from the Sue Ryder organisation.

Why delete this comment section?
There are threats of actual physical violence on the Sound Control forum...still there last time I looked and totally unacceptable.
By what criteria do you judge posts as unacceptable?
Factual?
Anything mentioning a certain northern-based wholesaler?
Do tell.

So, I guess you couldn't find it.............here it is again for your enlightenment and comment. (Before the Thought Police catch you.)

"OK Everyone - This is how it is.........

Having just returned from the launch of Ryder Guitars I can report the following.

In attendance:- Paul McManus of the MIA, Mike Underwood of Sharon Music, Mark Sanderson local professional guitarist and teacher, Paul Maskew, Brand Manager for Sue Ryder as well as SR shop staff, PR team, and pro demonstrators.

The quality does not appear to be an issue. Mark felt that they were perfectly good and seemed excellent value for money. That said, we were unable to take a model straight out of the box as the models on display were the only ones there. No doubt the very able demonstrators had made any adjustments that they felt were necessary.

Of much greater concern of course is how these products are to be priced, marketed, and distributed.

Paul Maskew told us that it is the intention to supply these goods to the music trade at prices that would allow retailers to achieve a 100% mark up plus VAT.

Close scrutiny of both the trade list and the rrp revealed that this was not on all models. In particular the "335" style would attract just less than standard mark up as,"SR do not have the same margin to play with on this particular model.". Other models too appeared to have a significantly reduced margin but this was apparently due to some typos which were immediately rectified. Perhaps due to hasty preparation for the launch.

Paul McManus most perceptively asked if SR planned to impose any conditions on prospective dealers. In particular, would SR insist that dealers not be allowed to sell on third party websites such as eBay? Mr Maskew did not appreciate that there could be a problem with dealers selling in this way, until Paul patiently explained that there are regrettably some dealers who seem to follow a policy of seeing who can go out of business quickest by discounting heavily on-line. These dealers would quickly establish the "street price" of Ryder guitars and cause dealers endeavouring to pursue the quaint notion of actually trying to make a profit, to re-consider stocking the brand.

Mr Maskew agreed that SR should perhaps look in to this.

Mr Maskew also assured those present that SR pay the full market rent for their shops, paid staff at least the minimum wage, paid VAT, but conceded that they have some volunteer staff and also enjoy 80% relief on business rates.

A suggestion that SR is connected to a Northern based wholesaler was firmly rejected by Mr Maskew.

In terms of distribution, Mr Maskew informed us that their idea is to appoint a rep who will take the products around the country to sell to interested dealers. A daunting undertaking in itself. All models would be despatched from a central warehouse in Daventry.

A more worrying development was the revelation that SR, having invited educationalists and procurement officers for other organisations such as schools and prisons to the launch, also intend to supply them direct.

Paul McManus pointed out that this would inevitably cause considerable distress to any music retailer who sells into schools etc, who, having bought into the brand, would find that he is in competition with his supplier!

This resulted in a promise to re-evaluate the strategy.

It was stressed by Mr Maskew that the intention is not to supply all 360 or so branches of Sue Ryder, but only about half a dozen of their top performing branches, of which Rochester is one. (Unfortunately for your correspondent, who has a branch within walking distance) The staff of the SR shops stocking the range would benefit from a training day given by their demonstrator/endorsee Mark Griffiths who would teach them how to tune, restring, give advice etc.

No doubt that will be a most intensive day.

Time will tell if all their plans will come to fruition. I left with the feeling that they were genuine people trying to do what they perceive to be right for Sue Ryder, but who had perhaps not anticipated how their venture may be received by the music industry. I suspect that if they do not enjoy considerable success with this project they will drop the whole thing and expand their range of dolls houses.

On a final note, the whole music industry should thank Paul McManus for attending, and for genuinely fighting our corner."

This thread was deleted because of the few.
As with England';s ban from footballing competitions in Europe during the 80s, the less than one per cent of football "fans" caused the disruption to enjoyment of everyone.
On a far smaller scale, the small minded, trouble making aims of a very few that insist on printing libelous statements on the MI Pro website have caused the deletion of the entire thread.
This is MI Pro's site and we have to take responsibility for it. The day you guys allow me to use your shops and your brands to publicly libel and slander, we might consider a trade, but until then, keep it to yourselves.
Those of you sensible and responsible posters, thank you for your time – but please help me keep your colleagues and compatriots under control.

Two-faced hypocrisy more like.
There's a damn sight worse in other threads.
Double standards directly related to advertising spend.

Whilst the innuendo in some of the comments was perhaps sailing very close to the wind, it is nevertheless a shame that much of the constructive comment had to be excised too.

If and when a response is made by Paul Maskew of Sue Ryder, it would be fair for him to know and understand the depth of feeling expressed by many concerned members of the music industry.

I fully agree - please help me in future to keep this under control by reporting anything that appears libelous or personally insulting.

By doing this on an old thread would have had no consequence