No Return On Mics Due To Health Reasons?

[erick]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

I have seen reference every so often to a "health code" as the reason
for a store not taking returns on mics. Can anyone give me actual
concrete evidence to such a health code? I really wonder if there is
such a "code". Seems to me that this is a good story for a store to tell
in order to prevent any returns.

How is a company like SE microphones, for example, dealing with this
then. SE offers a 7 day free trial on their mics. If there was such a
code here in the US, I would think that a mic manufacturer would be
aware of it. It would seem that SE would have to trash their mics if
they came back, in order to stay within code.

Smells funny to me.

--
Eric

Practice Your Mixing Skills
www.Raw-Tracks.com
www.Mad-Host.com

 

[Guest]

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EricK <eric@Raw-Tracks.com> wrote:

>I have seen reference every so often to a "health code" as the reason
>for a store not taking returns on mics. Can anyone give me actual
>concrete evidence to such a health code? I really wonder if there is
>such a "code". Seems to me that this is a good story for a store to tell
>in order to prevent any returns.
>
>How is a company like SE microphones, for example, dealing with this
>then. SE offers a 7 day free trial on their mics. If there was such a
>code here in the US, I would think that a mic manufacturer would be
>aware of it. It would seem that SE would have to trash their mics if
>they came back, in order to stay within code.
>
>Smells funny to me.

Would the same "law" apply to buying and returning a telephone?

Harvey Gerst
Indian Trail Recording Studio
http/www.ITRstudio.com/

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 19:49:28 -0500, Harvey Gerst
<harvey@ITRstudio.com> wrote:

>EricK <eric@Raw-Tracks.com> wrote:
>
>>I have seen reference every so often to a "health code" as the reason
>>for a store not taking returns on mics. Can anyone give me actual
>>concrete evidence to such a health code? I really wonder if there is
>>such a "code". Seems to me that this is a good story for a store to tell
>>in order to prevent any returns.
>>
>>How is a company like SE microphones, for example, dealing with this
>>then. SE offers a 7 day free trial on their mics. If there was such a
>>code here in the US, I would think that a mic manufacturer would be
>>aware of it. It would seem that SE would have to trash their mics if
>>they came back, in order to stay within code.
>>
>>Smells funny to me.
>
>Would the same "law" apply to buying and returning a telephone?
>

It does apply to harmonicas, though.

Al

 

[erick]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Harvey Gerst wrote:
> Would the same "law" apply to buying and returning a telephone?
>

One would think. What about rental houses. Those 251's, C12's and U47's
have been around the block a time or two.

--
Eric

Practice Your Mixing Skills
www.Raw-Tracks.com
www.Mad-Host.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <ygG4e.176$jw5.159@fe08.lga>, EricK <eric@Raw-Tracks.com> wrote:
>I have seen reference every so often to a "health code" as the reason
>for a store not taking returns on mics. Can anyone give me actual
>concrete evidence to such a health code? I really wonder if there is
>such a "code". Seems to me that this is a good story for a store to tell
>in order to prevent any returns.

There is no such code, at least not in my area. But Guitar Center appears
to enjoy telling this story. As far as I know, this is strictly a GC thing.

>How is a company like SE microphones, for example, dealing with this
>then. SE offers a 7 day free trial on their mics. If there was such a
>code here in the US, I would think that a mic manufacturer would be
>aware of it. It would seem that SE would have to trash their mics if
>they came back, in order to stay within code.

What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking guitars
up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no questions
asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be used
for close-miked vocal applications.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

 

[Guest]

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On 5 Apr 2005 21:41:09 -0400, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

>What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking guitars
>up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no questions
>asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be used
>for close-miked vocal applications.

Mics are probably a lot easier to stick up your butt than guitars
though... and no, I don't speak from personal experience.

Al

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

GC's online division Musician's Fiend has no such rule, they allow mic
returns. But you can't return an XLR-TRS adapter. It is kinda
butt-size I guess

Maybe GC got the idea from this:
http/tinyurl.com/46mpm

Steve

 

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"Scott Dorsey" <kludge@panix.com> wrote in message
news:d2venl$7k6$1@panix2.panix.com...

> What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking
guitars
> up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no questions
> asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be
used
> for close-miked vocal applications.
> --scott

I'd guess there are a bunch more people sticking mics up their butts etc.,
but I could be naive.

jb

 

[Guest]

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On 5 Apr 2005 21:41:09 -0400, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

>In article <ygG4e.176$jw5.159@fe08.lga>, EricK <eric@Raw-Tracks.com> wrote:
>>I have seen reference every so often to a "health code" as the reason
>>for a store not taking returns on mics. Can anyone give me actual
>>concrete evidence to such a health code? I really wonder if there is
>>such a "code". Seems to me that this is a good story for a store to tell
>>in order to prevent any returns.
>
>There is no such code, at least not in my area. But Guitar Center appears
>to enjoy telling this story. As far as I know, this is strictly a GC thing.

It is total bull$#!+. GC does this to prevent people from "buying" a
couple mics, using them on a recording session, and returning them a
couple days later. Free rental. So they concocted this bogus health
reason.

>
>>How is a company like SE microphones, for example, dealing with this
>>then. SE offers a 7 day free trial on their mics. If there was such a
>>code here in the US, I would think that a mic manufacturer would be
>>aware of it. It would seem that SE would have to trash their mics if
>>they came back, in order to stay within code.
>
>What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking guitars
>up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no questions
>asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be used
>for close-miked vocal applications.
>--scott
>--
>"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Willie K. Yee, M.D. http/users.bestweb.net/~wkyee
Developer of Problem Knowledge Couplers for Psychiatry http/www.pkc.com
Webmaster and Guitarist for the Big Blue Big Band http/www.bigbluebigband.org

 

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"playon" <playonAT@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:0en651h6068ss3l89mh93pr2ktlqb69raq@4ax.com...
> On 5 Apr 2005 21:41:09 -0400, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>
>>What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking
>>guitars
>>up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no questions
>>asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be
>>used
>>for close-miked vocal applications.
>
> Mics are probably a lot easier to stick up your butt than guitars
> though... and no, I don't speak from personal experience.

Well, it depends which mic - are you talking about a KM-184 or an RE-20?

Neil Henderson

 

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"Neil Henderson" <neil.henderson@sbcglobal.netNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:cEJ4e.2182$3z3.2175@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>
> "playon" <playonAT@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:0en651h6068ss3l89mh93pr2ktlqb69raq@4ax.com...
>> On 5 Apr 2005 21:41:09 -0400, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>>
>>>What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking
>>>guitars
>>>up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no
>>>questions
>>>asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be
>>>used
>>>for close-miked vocal applications.
>>
>> Mics are probably a lot easier to stick up your butt than guitars
>> though... and no, I don't speak from personal experience.
>
> Well, it depends which mic - are you talking about a KM-184 or an RE-20?
>
>
> Neil Henderson


Yeah, and which end of the guitar?

--
John L Rice
Drummer@ImJohn.com

 

[Guest]

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"DuchovnySexBomb" <yeah@right.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.04.07.03.07.19.46526@right.com...
> > Smells funny to me.
>
> That last sentence probably captures the essence of why microphones are
> non-returnable, at least for vocal performance mics.
>
> Studio mics probably fall into a gray area because they are less likely to
> come into close contact with the mouth, ears, eyes or any other body area
> that are susceptible to transference of pathogens. But since I am neither
> a doctor nor a health code expert, I'm only wagering a guess as to the
> reasoning behind such a code and where a difference may or may not exist.
>
> It makes sense to me, but very rarely are things that make sense put into
> law.

Thing is, the United States has one electrical code that applies virtually
everywhere, but health codes are set by states and municipalities, which
leaves a crazy quilt of regulations. Drive 100' and they all change.

I know that the music store where I teach guitar is quite adamant that the
Health Dept. forbids them to let people try out harmonicas. I can see the
possibility that some places might do the same with microphones. Frankly,
though, it's mostly Guitar Center lying to avoid the "free-rental"
phenomenon.

Peace,
Paul

 

[Guest]

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In article <efc6511uhdp9nvjn4sldhsfh6v90aa7png@4ax.com> hargerst@airmail.net writes:

> Would the same "law" apply to buying and returning a telephone?

Probably, if Guitar Center sold telephones.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

 

[Guest]

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In article <4253474a.23825385@nntp.bestweb.net> wkyeeATbestwebDOTnet writes:

> It is total bull$#!+. GC does this to prevent people from "buying" a
> couple mics, using them on a recording session, and returning them a
> couple days later. Free rental. So they concocted this bogus health
> reason.

I suspect that it's more to discourage them from using a mic (or a
few) on a gig in a smoky bar, and the mic is returned smelly. Tobacco
smoke attaches itself quickly and stays for a long time.

Rental companies have maintenance and incidental damage built into the
rental fees, so they can always clean up a stinky mic or replace the
grill before sending it out again, as can a manufacturer who sends a
mic out for trial. But a retail store has an obligation to sell
something "new" that's really new. We've seen posts here where someone
buys what's supposed to be a brand new unit and suspects that it's
been previously sold, used, returned, and sold again. Not all stores
consider this "used," discloses this, and adjusts price or warranty
accordingly.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

 

[Guest]

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"EricK" <eric@Raw-Tracks.com> wrote in message
news:ygG4e.176$jw5.159@fe08.lga...
>I have seen reference every so often to a "health code" as the reason for a
>store not taking returns on mics....

The only health issue is the health of the store's bottom line if they
started allowing free mic rentals (as already noted).

Quick research in one locality reveals: (i) the word "microphone" does not
even appear anywhere in the Seattle Municipal Code, much less in the "Health
and Safety" title and (ii) it does appear in the Washington Administrative
Code 9 times, but only in reference to how to measure noise levels, and what
needs to be provided at various meetings.

A few related thoughts, none too original
- You can return all sorts of things that have more intimate contact with
you than microphones. Like clothes.
- Single microphones are often used by numerous people. Most facilities and
groups that have large meetings let lots of people use the same microphones.
So do karaoke bars.
- Public telephones are used by thousands of different people.
- Recording studios let lots of different people use microphones ... if
there's a code against that, nobody with a recording studio knows about it.
- You can rent microphones.
- You can rent lots of things. You can rent shoes (the health code *does*
require shoe-renters to disinfect them).

 

[Guest]

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Mike Rivers wrote:


> Rental companies have maintenance and incidental damage built into the
> rental fees, so they can always clean up a stinky mic or replace the
> grill before sending it out again, as can a manufacturer who sends a
> mic out for trial. But a retail store has an obligation to sell
> something "new" that's really new. We've seen posts here where someone
> buys what's supposed to be a brand new unit and suspects that it's
> been previously sold, used, returned, and sold again. Not all stores
> consider this "used," discloses this, and adjusts price or warranty
> accordingly.


And stupid me, I thought this was against the law.

 

[Guest]

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"John L Rice" <Drummer@ImJohn.com> wrote in message
news:1156ui1o8r89m0b@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Neil Henderson" <neil.henderson@sbcglobal.netNOSPAM> wrote in message
> news:cEJ4e.2182$3z3.2175@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>>
>> "playon" <playonAT@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:0en651h6068ss3l89mh93pr2ktlqb69raq@4ax.com...
>>> On 5 Apr 2005 21:41:09 -0400, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>>>
>>>>What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking
>>>>guitars
>>>>up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no
>>>>questions
>>>>asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be
>>>>used
>>>>for close-miked vocal applications.
>>>
>>> Mics are probably a lot easier to stick up your butt than guitars
>>> though... and no, I don't speak from personal experience.
>>
>> Well, it depends which mic - are you talking about a KM-184 or an RE-20?
>>
>>
>> Neil Henderson
>
>
> Yeah, and which end of the guitar?

Good point... and if the back end, is it a Steinberger, or a Guild
Dreadnought?

Neil Henderson

 

[Guest]

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"Neil Henderson" <neil.henderson@sbcglobal.netNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:cEJ4e.2182$3z3.2175@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>
>
> Well, it depends which mic - are you talking about a KM-184 or an RE-20?
>
>

RCA 44-DX

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Or what about the anal probe styled Behringer ECM 8000, or Earthworks
omni.....I mean, it's hardly a vocal mic is it...but that's the least of our
worries in this context..lol !
Ray
-------------------------------------------------------
"Scott Dorsey" <kludge@panix.com> wrote in message
news:d2venl$7k6$1@panix2.panix.com...
> In article <ygG4e.176$jw5.159@fe08.lga>, EricK <eric@Raw-Tracks.com>
wrote:
> >I have seen reference every so often to a "health code" as the reason
> >for a store not taking returns on mics. Can anyone give me actual
> >concrete evidence to such a health code? I really wonder if there is
> >such a "code". Seems to me that this is a good story for a store to tell
> >in order to prevent any returns.
>
> There is no such code, at least not in my area. But Guitar Center appears
> to enjoy telling this story. As far as I know, this is strictly a GC
thing.
>
> >How is a company like SE microphones, for example, dealing with this
> >then. SE offers a 7 day free trial on their mics. If there was such a
> >code here in the US, I would think that a mic manufacturer would be
> >aware of it. It would seem that SE would have to trash their mics if
> >they came back, in order to stay within code.
>
> What about guitars? I could be some weird pervo who likes sticking
guitars
> up my butt and returning them. GC would take it as a return, no questions
> asked. But not microphones. Not even microphones that would never be
used
> for close-miked vocal applications.
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."