This is a total riot! And are you wondering, like me, how soon we’ll all be united… in WWIII? Well, didn’t mean to start it this week, dear folks! I sat back and read with awe as people went from ripping the flesh off my bones to being my protectors (thank you). No, I’m not a covert dealer using USING this forum to make a living. If you think I can make a living by selling the 7 or 8 whistles I’ve bought too many over the last five years… well, please tell me. I’m all ears.
Fellow and sister whistlers: for those of you who could care - I love the whistle. I’m a genuine whistle nutter just like you. I too have one of my favorite cheapies stashed in the auto glove compartment, and have serenaded many a surprised onlooker during that blessed extra-long stoplight. After a lifetime of playing ten instruments reasonably well, it is the whistle that holds my heart. I’ve basically dumped all the others because they don’t come close to the bliss I feel when I play the whistle.
OK? And yes, I am asking a high price for the Sindts. As one person said: you don’t have to buy. Really, you are free to be you, as Marlo sang to us in the ‘70’s. Do your thing, and don’t let me crimp your style. Personally, I waited more than a year for my first Sindt, and would have gladly paid double to get it in a week. I mean come on… whistles, at almost any price, are a really great deal. There’s no greater bang for your buck. I understand about the market’s fair value, but if you want to see fair value in action watch what happens thirty-five minutes before the close of the S&P 500 after a funky day of trading like we’re seeing lately. My point being that I am charging more … and so what?
When someone resells a Sindt at a lower price, is the person’s argument that I’m hurting dear Mr. Sindt any less true? Either we on the C&F all come out against re-selling of any living maker’s instrument, or not. Next: if I ask more than you’re willing to pay, and so you don’t buy it… well, you’ve had your say. Noted. Next: am I hurting the people who sell Sindts for cheaper prices than I’m asking? Ask them. They’re smilin’ when they read my ad: oh goody, now they’ll buy mine first. So, who exactly am I hurting by pricing these instruments like I did?
And, if I’m somehow mysteriously defiling the sanctity of being allowed to participate in the Chiff & Fipple, when pray do tell! Or better yet, let’s ask Dale to cook up a set of guidelines that really deal with this issue. Like: only people that play Celtic music in X or Y manner can participate. Or, you can only sell an instrument at a certain price once everyone who has ever written in gets to vote on it. Heck, we could really get this website humming with rules to make sure that only the pure, the good and the noble get to participate (and of course, you my dear critics get to be the judge of who that is!)
By the way, to the person who went back and pasted in some of my musings to the group over the years, you are very kind. Just because I’m not going to get all upset and insulted doesn’t mean it wasn’t hurtful. I hope by now you’ve calmed down enough to notice that your survival is very much intact, no matter what price I sell my whistles at… Heck, we really are all in this together: this big survival fest of a life we share. Why waste your emotions on something that is really none of your beeswax; enjoy yourself instead.
I don’t notice anyone losing much sleep over the O’Riordan I bought on eBay from someone in this room, someone who has sold a whole bunch of O’Riordans for plenty of markup—mine less costly than many: it was only four and half times more than what Pat charges for his whistles. Again, no one has to buy at those prices. We choose to. I was thrilled (and still am) to get to buy this lovely O’Riordan on eBay from the nice lady who sold it to me. Thank you again.
Frankly, one of the reasons I decided to price the Sindts high is because if I don’t sell them, I don’t really care. I love the four Sindts I am keeping, so Sindt-averse I am not. It’s just that I had overdone it like crazy. You know how easily we can do that with whistles. If no one considers it an attractive opportunity to buy these instruments, whistles in perfect condition-truly as good as when they were new (they’re not gonna last any less long, they don’t sound any less good for having been tooted on awhile …), then so be it. No biggie. It certainly isn’t grounds for crucifixion this time around, is it?
My husband suggested I double the prices (but then, he’s a Gemini). So, this isn’t an apology for offending anyone. That was not my intention and it certainly wasn’t a pre-ordained result. Take care of yourself and don’t waste your precious life energy being PO’d at me. It’s just not worth it. So… if folks wanna keep voting about my prices, bring it on. On the other hand, if you’ve actually got a life and don’t mind too much if I do too … then live and let live, huh? Happy whistlin’ my friends.
P.S. By the way, here’s the rest of my whistle story, for those of you apparently would give a fig. As I lifelong musician I’ve known a lot of joy and a lot of frustration. Thirty-five years ago I developed a very painful spinal condition that has made doing anything, especially playing an instrument difficult. I was a passionate flute player until the stress that it caused my body ended in a year-long bout of Bell’s Palsy that totally destroyed my embouchure. Enter the whistle: meant to be a replacement, it became top dog. I have loved every instrument I’ve played, but none like the whistle. It’s my personal savior. And indeed, it has been a great pleasure to share that mania with many of you throughout the years. I hope we can continue to be friends, whether or not I sell my Sindts for whatever price I sell them for. Godspeed.
