James,
I very much respect what you have to say about the local independently owned music store. In 1979, I moved to Atlanta, after being a district manager for Everett (Yamaha) pianos for 17 states (including Massachusetts), to open my own piano/organ store. Fortunately for me that didn't work out and I went to work for AT&T & have retired. History points out that piano & organ dealers don't have the internet to fear, but big chain piano and organ stores promising to sell more pianos in their area if they would get the franchise. And of course, more piano sales equals more commissions for the district manager! Well, there are not any pop organs anymore, but in the 70's they were moving a lot faster than pianos).
I have checked with the local Kawai dealer here in Atlanta on 2 different occasions (The old dealer & the new dealer. (I even worked for old dealer 34 years ago. Even though they have hundreds of pianos, hugh stores, & nothing floor planned, they are not interested in carrying any of Kawai's slab pianos.
Since I use to sell pianos for a living, I suggested that the Kawai slab pianos would be a great addition to their store because of all the work they do with churches. Today, lots of churches have bands in either their main service or an alternate service. I suggested to them that with churches they were probably less likely to shop on-line stores as churches need some hand holding, a music committee decision, in church try out for a couple of weeks, etc. which on-line stores just can't provide.
They still both were not interested. So I am guilt free as I gave them a both of them a chance. Still a mystery to me that a dealer that doesn't floor plan but has a hundred pianos on the floor (Atlanta) would choose not to invest in the wholesale price to have a MP11 or 7 on their floor in a corner to show churches or any of the many people on this forum who can't find Kawai slab instruments to try. Matching a price shouldn't be that painful and much better than losing a sale and giving it to your competor on-line store.
Our other stores in town are Guitar Center (Chain) who doesn't carry Kawai and Sam Ash (Chain). I did buy my MP8 from Sam Ash several years ago, but 80 percent of their pianos on their floor in Atlanta are models that are no longer made!!! I am not surprised as when I bought my MP8 I wanted them to throw in a set of headphones and the manager was going to let me walk. I am sure they had that mp8 on their floor quite a while. It was closing time and the salesman called the main office of Sam Ash to get the deal through as the manager wouldn't budge. Now that is a go getter sales person who would go over their boss.
I did find a local independent dealer when I visited Los Angeles (Pierre's Fine Pianos) that had Kawai and Roland slab pianos next to their Fazioli concert grands. Now that is a sight to see.
I was there for a visit and discovered his store and was there for a couple of hours. He said at the time he would match prices. When the MP11 came out I knew he would have one. I sent him an e-mail and asked him on his thoughts on the instrument. I reminded him that I had been in his store about 3 years ago to jog his memory (he is a 1 man owner store). He was very slow to get back with me (2 weeks) and no follow-up even though I said I was very interested in the MP11. I was willing to fly back to Los Angeles to play on it before I bought it from him as I hate to buy things sight unseen. Not a cheap undertaking, but I could have gotten some more site seeing in the Los Angeles area.
James, If I lived in Massachusetts, I am certain I would have bought from you. I am sure you do follow-up of your prospects because of the note you wrote to me. And I believe you must have a Kawai MP11 on your floor or have had one. I truly believe if you do things correctly you can compete with on-line stores, hard, but all good business people work very hard. But I have a gift certificate to Musican's Friend that I need to cash in.
I hope that many of the forum members that are looking for an MP11 or 7 will contact you, and maybe even come to Cambridge to see and experience the piano. There are lots of things to see and do where you are. A vacation and a big souvenir (MP11) to remember your visit to Cambridge and visit to your fine store.
If I am vacationing again in Massachusetts I will look you up as I love piano stores. I guess I haven't got it out of my system yet of owning my own piano store.
