[rodgersorganusers] Re: Internet Organ Pricing, etc.

  • From: "George and Lorna Andersson" <geanderssons@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 08:57:46 -0600

It occurs to me that we share a common problem on this list (at least
those of us who are not dealers).  We use Rodgers products and are
generally convinced that Rodgers makes the best product of its type.  We
would be happy in our next purchase to just call our local Rodgers
dealer, or to continue the car purchase analogy, find the price of our
next car on the internet, and buy from our local dealer if we deem the
mark-up reasonable.  If we are dealing with our own money, we can do
just that, and I have.  It does mean that we really do trust our dealer.
If we are dealing with other people's money, which we are as a
representative of our respective churches, we can't, or shouldn't.

I work for a large not-for-profit organization (a university) that
requires three bids for any purchase over $10,000.  If anyone in the
organization wishes to do a sole source placement, there is a certain
amount of red tape.  A form must be submitted stating the case for the
sole source purchase.  Then, someone from our Purchasing group, who is
completely out of the loop, will see if there is another way to purchase
the good (both same brand and equivalent specifications) through another
source at a lower price.  If that is not done, and it is caught in
either an internal or external audit of our internal controls, the
incident is written up and brought to someone's attention, our Board
Audit Committee in the case of an external audit.  This is pretty
typical.  The reason is that there are cases where well meaning people
within the institution have not been good stewards of institutional
funds.  

Churches are less formal about this, unless they have been burned.
Unfortunately, the congregation often takes it out on the idiot who is
believed to have made the mistake (whether they did or not) but fails to
improve internal controls.  So, if we want to remain in good standing,
we have to protect our good names by being ever so careful.

It seems we would generally like to do sole sources purchases from
Rodgers.  We can't independently check the price.  So, we are compelled
to put the Allen dealer, and perhaps one or two others, through the
bidding process if for no other reason than to convince our Boards that
we have been good institutional stewards.  Not much fun, but.... at
least it gives the competitors a chance to convince us they have finally
bested Rodgers (grin).

Cheers!

George Andersson
St. Louis
CFO and Rodgers customer

-----Original Message-----
From: rodgersorgan-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rodgersorgan-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bardo Ellen
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 7:24 AM
To: 'rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: [rodgersorganusers] Re: Internet Organ Pricing, etc.


You may be an informed buyer, but the average person on an organ
committee
is not.  The first thing they want to talk about is price, and the lower
it
is the better.  I would not want prices listed on the internet for the
simple reason people are looking for the cheapest cost, and they don't
think
about speakers and installation.  One even said their shouldn't be a
cost to
install it (they just have to wheel it in the church and put it where
the
present organ is).  Like I said, you're an informed buyer--the average
person on the committee just wants it to come in under budget so they
can
say we spent less money than we had available.  The way it sounds you
think
the dealer is out to gouge you.   

-----Original Message-----
From: PE [mailto:pberger@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 9:56 PM
To: rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [rodgersorganusers] Internet Organ Pricing, etc.



As a potential future customer, I would like to see a MSRP for all
models 
posted.  I am not as stupid as some of the dealers seem to think:   I
know 
that if I want additional speakers, there will be additional cost.
Also, 
if the installation is complex, it will cost more.  But I want to know a

ball park figure which will be my goal.  As it is, if I want a 3 manual 
draw knob organ, I have no idea if it will cost me $35,000, $50,000, 
$75,000 or $100,000 or over.   If it is 35 or 50K, it might be within my

range, if it is $100K or more, forget it.

By withholding this information, dealers may be losing out, as I may go
for 
a used organ when I might be able to afford a new model and not now 
it.  When it is time to buy a new car, I have a rough idea what it will 
cost me, and if I want a lot of accessories, I know the cost of the car 
will increase.

I hear dealers complain that they work hard with an organ committee,
only 
to be told "We will have to figure out how we will finance it and get
back 
to you."  If the committee had some idea of the cost, they might not
bother 
the dealer until they had their financing arranged.  Wouldn't this be an

advantage to the dealer?  As a dealer, wouldn't you prefer a customer
that 
has the funds and is ready to buy, than one who has to wait two years to

raise funds?

Phil

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____________________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe or set to vacation, 
go to www.frogmusic.com/rodgersmem.html
If you have any difficulty with this or PayPal, 
please contact noeljones@xxxxxxxxxxxxx for help!

Shop for Playing Guides to your Rodgers Organ at Frog Music Press




____________________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe or set to vacation, 
go to www.frogmusic.com/rodgersmem.html
If you have any difficulty with this or PayPal, 
please contact noeljones@xxxxxxxxxxxxx for help!

Shop for Playing Guides to your Rodgers Organ at Frog Music Press

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