Joe Connor - Posted - 02/02/2016:  06:25:26

Here's an update on Mandolin Bros. It seems that Stan's heirs have received some "serious inquiries" from potential buyers but no offers yet. It's really sad to read how this is affecting Stan's children. The more time that passes, the less likely that they will be able to sell the business for anything more than a distress price.  What do you do when you're still young but you no longer have your family business?

Their banjo inventory has really dwindled: four resonator banjos, seven open-backs and two tenor/plectrums.

mandoweb.com/News/89/Venerable...-for-Sale

steve davis - Posted - 02/02/2016:  06:36:33

No telling what it will sell for.We may never know.

If the new buyer fills it with the world's best instruments business could be as good as ever or even better.

Edited by - steve davis on 02/02/2016 06:37:58

Joe Connor - Posted - 02/02/2016:  06:41:02

Steve, it sounds as if you're ready to make your move! Go for it. 

steve davis - Posted - 02/02/2016:  06:46:49

Nothing I want.

Great reputation for the new buyer to step into.I hope he gets a deal.

I wonder how much the rent is.

Edited by - steve davis on 02/02/2016 06:48:12

ceemonster - Posted - 02/02/2016:  17:22:00

Don't mean to sound cold, but the late owner's children communicated in one of the articles I read that they didn't know that much about the instruments (luthery/repair, instrument appraisal, the instruments themselves, etc., and the business mechanics.

They have had their entire lives to steep themselves in all this knowledge, and could have made it a mission to do it after their father's passing. They have had every opportunity to do so, and have not. This is necessary to surviving in any business, but in the business of acoustic instruments be it new or vintage, the folks who gain the literacy and the expertise tend to do it out of love and passion as well as business sense. Perhaps it is time for this concern to go to into the hands of someone who has that passion and business sense, or to meet an honorable end to a venerable and long life.

steve davis - Posted - 02/02/2016:  20:19:31

The children probably are interested in other stuff.

John Gribble - Posted - 02/02/2016:  23:40:21

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

 

The children probably are interested in other stuff.

Amen to that. Neither my brother nor I were interested in my father's business. So he turned it over to others who were and retired early.

arnie fleischer - Posted - 02/03/2016:  14:48:34

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

 

Nothing I want.

Great reputation for the new buyer to step into.I hope he gets a deal.

I wonder how much the rent is.

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I think they own the building.

Joe Connor - Posted - 02/03/2016:  15:55:51

Let's assume you had the funds to buy the business, the inventory and the building. What would you do to rebuild the business? What changes would you make?

I ask because I think that rebuilding the business would be a daunting task: (1) so much of the Mandolin Bros. success hinged on Stan's knowledge and personality; (2) the inventory is pretty depleted; (3) the repair dept. is gone;  (4) the collectors' market hasn't really recovered from the recession; and (5) in the vintage-instrument community, it's well-known that Mandolin Bros. is going through some hard times. 

steve davis - Posted - 02/03/2016:  16:47:27

As any business is "grown"...by offering world class choices,consistently.
A "ship" is only as good as its crew.

ceemonster - Posted - 02/04/2016:  19:00:03

[[The children probably are interested in other stuff.]] Yes, and they have every right to be. What doesn't sit well is for them to admit they don't know much about the business despite spending their lives around it, but at the same time boo-hoo and hand-wring and say they want to keep it.



Perhaps someone could purchase the name and what inventory and equipment remains, and move it to another building. I personally wouldn't touch it with a barge pole with the family heirs involved as landlords or co-owners.

Edited by - ceemonster on 02/04/2016 19:01:03

steve davis - Posted - 02/05/2016:  05:43:47

Doesn't sit well?
Do you mean from your perspective?

Maybe they'd be the world's best co-owners...Hard tellin' without knowin'.

El Dobro - Posted - 02/14/2016:  09:39:58

It'd be nice if an existing place like Elderly or Gruhn, etc. bought the place for an east coast division.

raharris - Posted - 02/14/2016:  12:19:35

quote:

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Originally posted by El Dobro

 

It'd be nice if an existing place like Elderly or Gruhn, etc. bought the place for an east coast division.

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Best idea I've heard all day!

ceemonster - Posted - 02/15/2016:  03:33:56

[[[Doesn't sit well?
Do you mean from your perspective?]]]

If this is in reference to my comment, I said, "I personally." Not sure what part of that was not clear.

steve davis - Posted - 02/15/2016:  05:48:14

They just have different interests.Never cared about old musical intruments,maybe.
Why would a total stranger have an opinion about what decisions they've made?

HarleyQ - Posted - 02/15/2016:  21:23:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

 

They just have different interests.Never cared about old musical intruments,maybe.

Why would a total stranger have an opinion about what decisions they've made?

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...why would a "total stranger" try to make excuses for them in the first place?? Or, do you know them personally??

steve davis - Posted - 02/16/2016:  06:31:22

Why assume bad things without knowing any facts?

I hope everything goes real good for them.

Edited by - steve davis on 02/16/2016 06:32:58

Banjophobic - Posted - 02/16/2016:  07:22:31

Why would a bunch of 'strangers' even be speculating on any of this? Well, because this is an internet forum and thats why pople do on it is talk and speculate and state opinions,haha. The only thing I will say is that the kids are not their father. trying to replace someone who was as important to the  business as the instruments themselves is a daunting task. I wish them well in whatever they decide.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 02/16/2016:  15:36:19

Exactly, John--Discussion on BHO is similar to what several people might discuss over after-work drinks.  If you don't like the tenor of the discussion, opt out.