TubaForum.net

...and - as a retailer/repair-guy, I'm referring to checking out an unfamiliar model for possible purchase for PERSONAL use (NOT with the intention of resale/flipping)...

...so Would you take anyone along with you?

(I'm thinking that I allowed for TWO votes, as well as vote-changing.)

I would take no one, unless my wife was already going on the trip with me. I use my own ears, but my wife's ears (like Mrs. Bloke's) are pretty trustworthy and definitely honest - she won't gloss over anything or try to placate me - so I appreciate her feedback (which nearly always confirms what I'm already thinking).

I wouldn't put anyone else through that.

bort2.0 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 10:16 am I wouldn't put anyone else through that.

...certainly not for some no-longer-than-two-month episode...

bloke wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 10:52 am

bort2.0 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 10:16 am I wouldn't put anyone else through that.

...certainly not for some no-longer-than-two-month episode...

I was trying to stay within your constraint of "PERSONAL use (NOT with the intention of resale/flipping)..." For that, I'd say that only YOU are going to make the decision and determination about whether to buy. And I don't particularly think it's necessary to involve anyone else, unless they want to be there.

How many professional players have I sold tubas to? (many)
How many of them have I met in person? (some)
How many of them have brought along a sidekick to weigh in before exchanging dollars for tuba? (zero)

Side note -- if you're planning to pay in cash, and there's any unfamiliarity between you and the seller, then yes, I'd feel better about not going alone. Both for the transaction itself and for the drive TO the transaction. I don't think many of us would look forward to carrying 100 $100-bills around with us for very long. But I do think many of us would appreciate the easy, immediate, final, and fee-free sale of tuba for cash money, no matter what the amount.

I even have the Mrs. listen when mouthpiece selecting...

I think how it feels and how it sounds to others may have some differences....so I like to take someone with "good ears for tuba" or whatever I'm getting. Not always, because if I only plan to play it in my living room, if I like it, that's enough.

most of the times i've gone alone... but if someone wants to tag along i'm happy for the company and will listen to their thoughts.

if i had my choice, i'd take my repair guy with me...

Nworbekim wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 2:40 pm most of the times i've gone alone... but if someone wants to tag along i'm happy for the company and will listen to their thoughts.

if i had my choice, i'd take my repair guy with me...

I believe - given the scenario described in this thread - I could talk them into meeting me there, though they might be a bit tardy in their arrival.

Not my wife. She would tell me I have enough already.

Jperry1466 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 09, 2022 1:05 am Not my wife. She would tell me I have enough already.

Ditto

As some – who waste their time reading my innumerable posts – know, I put my personal instruments on probation - if they have not made money within a year, and/or are collecting too much dust. Due to the orchestrated panic, I’ve temporarily extended the probationary period’s length to two years. That having been said, some of them have disappeared from here in the not-too-distant past, and yet another one is a candidate for disappearance.
Unlike many spouses, when I put such instruments on the auction/chopping block, it’s not uncommon to hear Mrs. bloke exclaim, “Oh no… You’re not selling that one, are you!?“

Jperry1466 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 09, 2022 1:05 am Not my wife. She would tell me I have enough already.

If it meant buying another tuba that was expensive, even if selling one, I’d probably HAVE to take my wife to justify and explain why I need this horn. She’s not a musician so I would have to really prove that I needed it.

bloke wrote: ↑Sat Apr 09, 2022 8:55 am As some – who waste their time reading my innumerable posts – know, I put my personal instruments on probation - if they have not made money within a year, and/or are collecting too much dust. Due to the orchestrated panic, I’ve temporarily extended the probationary period’s length to two years. That having been said, some of them have disappeared from here in the not-too-distant past, and yet another one is a candidate for disappearance.
Unlike many spouses, when I put such instruments on the auction/chopping block, it’s not uncommon to hear Mrs. bloke exclaim, “Oh no… You’re not selling that one, are you!?“

@bloke That's the difference in our wives. I don't know if your wife is a musician, but she is exceptional in that she is very involved in your music business. Not that my wife isn't exceptional; she is very much so, but she grew up in a tiny farm community without any music whatsoever in the schools and, other than singing in church, is a total non-musician. That means we never argue about anything musical unless it involves spending big money. We married in college, and had several music major friends who married other music majors. In almost every instance, their marriages ended in divorce. We've never even thought about that in 51 years. My wife was on board with the amount I spent on my present tuba, but I make sure to "carefully word" other purchases. It's kind of like my guns; when I'm gone, I hope she doesn't sell them for what I told her I paid for them.

I would just take Mrs. Bloke along. She’s probably heard more fair to good tuba playing than I have…