Cronkhite status?

[York-aholic]

After our 2003 fires the Santa Ana winds really kicked up and we had a big oak tree snap off about 6-8’ off the ground, probably 30” at the break and land on the house. I could have cut it but any slippage would have destroyed a porch roof and the dog fence.

We called the tree company to crane it off. Large emergency fee. Wasn’t happy as he had to bump everyone back a day. Were we sure it was emergent?

When they arrived the next morning the first thing he said was “Yep, you made the right call.”

I just smashed two shingles down and all was just fine.

So I see a rush fee as legit in some cases. Elephant needing a bag for work versus me really wanting one for once a week community band? Yeah I call that (his) legit.

[MiBrassFS]

I agree that there may be instances where this expediting option could be appropriate. That’s why I’m not completely convinced it shouldn’t exist.

Time will tell if it’s the correct tack for this company to take. It will depend upon track record, etc. in all facets of their business approach.

I have one of the “new” bags, a brand new 6/4 bag, in reserve. It’s every bit as nice as the “old” bags. I bought it off the shelf and didn’t order it.

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There are other businesses that have proven themselves unreliable and unethical that are to be avoided. I vote with my dollars in those cases and look elsewhere.

[the elephant]

I was trying to say that I thought it was a waste of money. I think my C note saved me something like a week. Not what I would call a high-value expenditure.

[Pauvog1]

I was trying to say that I thought it was a waste of money. I think my C note saved me something like a week. Not what I would call a high-value expenditure.

Agreed, it didn't really save any real time for me either. They have been working hard to decrease turn around time. It was a noticeable shorter wait time (without the expedited fee) between my 1st bag and 2nd bag (year apart). Both were the same great quality.

[arpthark]

Just to throw this out there as I was looking for bags for my York: David Messina just got back to me that his current turnaround time is about 8 weeks right now.

[russiantuba]

Sidebar: I would be very hesitant to pay for an order where there was a wait longer than a credit card refund fee.

There was an instance on the other site of a guy who took money for Chinese clones. His business partner took all the money and left, then did other orders to try to compensate—horns were not delivered within the credit card refund window (took 2 years for some). Lots of unfortunate events for him.

Note for clarity—Cronkhite is very reputable and not even suggesting that this would happen, but paying full price on something this expensive that I couldn’t dispute a charge is very frightening.

[Schlitzz]

I bought my latest Cronkite in late October ’24, and had it shipped in mid February of this year. Badlands leather for a Cerveny ABB 681. Lee Stofer is who you order with.

It’s a great bag. The dog does occasionally sleep on it.

This one is added to my three other ones for a couple of tenor trombones, and a bass trombone case. They were bought used.

Anyhow, the bag did make it out here to Kitsapalacchia, WA. And no, I’m not going to try and put a viola player in it. I’m not sure that Cronkite bags are practical enough for that.

[bloke]

I bought my latest Cronkite in late October ’24, and had it shipped in mid February of this year. Badlands leather for a Cerveny ABB 681. Lee Stofer is who you order with.

It’s a great bag. The dog does occasionally sleep on it.

This one is added to my three other ones for a couple of tenor trombones, and a bass trombone case. They were bought used.

Anyhow, the bag did make it out here to Kitsapalacchia, WA. And no, I’m not going to try and put a viola player in it. I’m not sure that Cronkite bags are practical enough for that.

Body bags do zip up, do they not?

[Schlitzz]

Body bags do zip up, do they not?

How would you know about body bags?

[the elephant]

Oh, he knows about body bags. He knows all about body bags.

[bloke]

Body bags do zip up, do they not?

How would you know about body bags?

When I get sick and tend to eat too many carbs, I have some of those things for when I blimp up... The other name for them is "dress suits".

[MiBrassFS]

Why would someone add a middle person when you can order direct from a company at a discount?

Nope.

[Sousaswag]

Torpedo has done us a great service in taking over Glenn's company. I'm willing to wait for a bag, but I do agree that whole "rush" thing is weird. Hoping when my 345 is done I'll order a bag for it and won't have to wait a super long time. Time will tell.

[Lee Stofer]

To answer MiBrassFS and others,
Torpedo/Cronkhite Bags, like other businesses, establish a List, or Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, also known as the MSRP. For a Cronkhite
Large tuba bag in cordura, the MSRP is $752.00. They are presently offering a 20% discount for ordering directly from the factory. There is also a
MAP, or Minimum Advertised Price, which a dealer cannot advertise below and remain a dealer. A little calculating here this morning reveals that my MAP prices, which is what I sell the bags at, is a 25% discount, or for less than what you can buy from the factory. The factory would rather just concentrate on taking dealer orders, make the bags and ship in bulk, and let the dealers deal with the general public. If you want to get the bag for less than what your factory 20% off coupon allows, then contact a dealer and order one.

[MiBrassFS]

New customers get a 25% off coupon via email.

[tubamuphone]

Update to my previous post - The bag arrived yesterday. I ordered it on October 10th, reached out to them in January for an update and again about two weeks ago. I'm not sure what happened, but looks like my order was lost in the shuffle.

The bag looks great, it's too big for my horn, but close enough since they no longer make bags to custom fit horns. Had I known it would be this much bigger than my tuba, I would not have ordered this specific bag, but I'm glad to finally have a bag for my tuba.

[MiBrassFS]

Update to my previous post - The bag arrived yesterday. I ordered it on October 10th, reached out to them in January for an update and again about two weeks ago. I'm not sure what happened, but looks like my order was lost in the shuffle.

The bag looks great, it's too big for my horn, but close enough since they no longer make bags to custom fit horns. Had I known it would be this much bigger than my tuba, I would not have ordered this specific bag, but I'm glad to finally have a bag for my tuba.

I don’t know if you shared it elsewhere, but, if you don’t mind, which bag did you order and which tuba were you hoping to carry? Might be good reference for the future.

Glad your bag did land.

[tubamuphone]

The tuba is a Yamaha YCB-623, the new 4/4 CC tuba. I ordered a bag for a B&S PT-20. Same height, practically the same bell diameter. I also sent in some dimensions, the bag is about 2" too long and bulges out quite a bit. I knew it wasn't going to be exact, but there's a fairly large empty bulge near the top bow.

I love these bags, I have way too many of them, I've ordered some new ones since Glenn sold the company, the quality is great. I wish they still had the custom option though.

JB

[MiBrassFS]

Thanks for that. Good to know.