For the past several Digests, I have been reading assorted comments on
music rolls and their makers.  Julian Dyer is right on the money when
it comes to the explanation of why QRS produces the titles now on
offer.  They do have to produce what they can sell the most of!

So far, I feel that the comments made have been aimed at the music
content and arrangement quality.  My comment is, why, for the money,
does QRS market such a poor physical product?

Point one is the length of the roll core.  You won't find two the same
length, and never are they as wide as the paper roll.  Because of the
minimum number of wraps of paper at the end of the roll, the left
flange is easily pushed in and will cause the edge of the paper to be
shredded when in rewind.  When brand new, the left flange is snug, but
very quickly becomes loose because the core is thin.

Point two is the attachment of the right drive flange.  The old method
was to glue it inside the core.  The QRS method is to push it inside
the core with no glue and then secure it with a staple!  This may work
well if the core had any body to it and most importantly, if the staple
went in all the way so as to be flush with the core surface.  Any QRS
rolls I have experienced are wound on a core that has a big lump on the
right hand side.  Paper can not roll evenly and will self-destruct in
a short time.

In addition, roll width is assorted sizes, rolls are loaded with
punchings, and the boxes -- Well, it was said when the current style
of box was introduced, "It doesn't matter, you don't play the box."

Considering that QRS rolls are priced a lot higher than others,
yet the others have real wrapped boxes, strong flanges and cores, very
very clean finished rolls, I begin to wonder if the most liberal QRS
Customer Satisfaction Guarantee is a way for them to market shabby
goods.

It may be well and good to accept returns, but what about the
customer?  The time and bother involved, extra shipping costs, the
waiting for replacements!  That is just for United States customers.
Out-of-country orders are also faced with customs, import and duty,
plus higher shipping charges, which in most cases can not be recovered!
A liberal return policy should not be a substitute for poor quality and
poor quality control.

In my opinion, you do not get value for your money from the current
QRS product.  This opinion is based only on the quality of the finished
product, not the music content.

Respectfully submitted - Ken Vinen, Stratford, Ontario, Canada.