Ripping off seniors really gets my blood boiling. Ramond Comer, who died last year, was a long time club owner and restaurant owner here in Lexington. About 11 years ago, after having been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he called in a major panic. A local music store was threatening to take the old man to court over his purchase of a Yamaha Clavinova CPV 65. A really sleazy lady piano player had driven Ray to he store, where he paid $1500.00 down and signed a contract to pay an additional $3,400.00 over 90 days. The woman had promised to play for Ray, but took the piano and a Yamaha tone generator and left the city. He didn't even remember the details of the transaction and was scared to death.

When I contacted the store to explain the situation, They basically told me Ray was "out of luck". They finally agreed to keep the down payment and take back the piano for the balance owed. I negotiated a deal of $1000.00 off the balance due (they really stuck it to him), paid the balance, found the woman in a nearby town and took the piano. It's still the one I use in the office.


The store was the big looser. I filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's office, reported the store to the local senior citizen's advocate, and insisted that the store fire the salesman and the store manager, which they did.

They are also the local Gibson and Ovation dealer, and, in the last 10 years, they lost over $35,000 in business from me alone, including an order today in excess of $1500.00 for a nylon string Ovation and a double neck Ovation acoustic. Lots of people ask my advice on dealers and instruments. As often as I can I say, "stay away from ******
Music".

Sadly, seniors are often "throw away" people.

Russ