I was a dealer for QRS since the 1970s.  I think there were two
reasons for QRS using the shrink-wrap:

1. The boxes sit on the shelf with it.  They do not without it.

2. QRS could take all the business from their dealers by inserting
a mail order card in each box.

I disliked the plastic wrap myself, but when we had many shelves of
the wrapped rolls we still allowed folks to open them and play them.
However, we found that keeping those same boxes on the shelf unwrapped
caused major problems.  The unwrapped roll boxes "bloom" and push other
boxes out of their way to do so.  Stacking unwrapped roll boxes, we
found that neat columns would fall over as the tops and bottoms bloomed
out as well.

We also realized that our regular customers were taking their rolls
home and unwrapping them and using the QRS response card that was found
inside every roll.  They simply mail-ordered whatever they wanted and
no longer needed to come to us for their rolls.  We immediately
unwrapped every roll we had and removed the cards, but the damage had
been done.  The customers who bought hundreds of dollars each year were
never seen again.

We finally quit stocking QRS rolls and we simply order what customers
want.  We have very little new roll sales.  I would just rather not
bother with them, especially since the manufacturer would rather deal
directly with the customer.  I sell my old rolls, and I have thousands.
I remember a time when QRS would not even talk to a member of the
general public because they would ONLY sell to their dealers.  Years
ago there were loyal dealers and loyal customers.  The dealers were
close by and helped fan the flames of interest in new rolls.  QRS is
way up there in la-la land and they only send out yearly catalogs.

Also, you know that QRS was notorious for poor business practices.
I would pay a bill and then would be billed months later for it.
I would have to send a copy of my cancelled check to prove that
I had paid.  When I was owing them money, I would not be billed for
6-8 months.

D.L. Bullock    St. Louis
www.thepianoworld.com