I guess I just wouldn't think of going to Elderly for a quick delivery anyway - not because I thought they might give bad service (as I said earlier my expereince with them has been good) - but because when I want quick service, especially on a quick service item I go to a specialty shop; on-line or 3D.

No dig on Elderly, but that is NOT the kind of thing I'd expect from them, and I suspect for strings (which I buy in bulk) I can get a better deal elsewhere.

I go to Elderly for their unusual, and fine instruments that they might have in stock - and for their knowledgeable and helpful staff. I go there knowing THOSE things are their specialty, and those are things I very appreciate! It's damn hard to walk into their store and not fall in love with several instruments in the first half hour!

If I want quick service on delivery and lowest possible, commodity sort of pricing on items I already know about (like strings) I go to someone that specializes in that sort of thing.

I believe that Elderley has earned a good, solid reputation for good reason - and they have held it for a long time. May that continue! It is true, they cannot be all things to all people - and if they tried to compete with the on-line commodity priced, high speed fulfillment houses - they wuld almost certainly the value they offer to me; great instruments in house, great epxertise on those instruments and good pricing.