A New Cymbal Shopping Site From Turkey

[maestro]

Hi everyone;

I'm a musician and an entrepreneur from Turkey.

I know there are lot's of drummers who are fond of cymbals from Turkey. As a drummer, It's really great to be in Turkey, as it's nearly a cymbal heaven, with a lot of options and good prices.

The one thing Turkey lacks of though, is a successful cymbal shopping site, which can make the connection with drummers from all around the world, and factories in Turkey. Of course these brands have good distribution networks, but inventory variety and stock problems are big issues on local dealers. And there are so few online shopping cymbal sites ( www.superstitionpercussion.com and www.cymbalsonly.com are definetely worth to mention), and none of them is based in Turkey.

So we decided it was about time to launch a cymbal store directly from the heart of this cymbal country, a store that's focused on cymbals made in Turkey. We have these advantages:


Prices will be really competitive even after shipping costs are added, as the cymbals list prices are really low in Turkey.
Stock and inventory problems simply won't be a matter, as we will be directly in touch with the factories, ready to supply any cymbal from any collection, even custom cymbals.
This project will be based on "Cymbals From Turkey". ( We are refering this as "Cymbals From Turkey", instead of "Turkish Cymbals"; in order not to be misunderstood with the brand name, "Turkish" cymbals.) So you will get first-hand information from Turkey about the cymbals, prices and brands.


We're gonna start with Istanbul Agop cymbals. All the arrangements are made. But we want to process this Beta Stage interactively with drum forums, like DrummerWorld. Because we know drummers always have a passionate, loyal and very well connected community. We really want to know:


If you are interested in this project at all.
What do you expect from a general cymbal store?
What do you expect from a cymbal store based in Turkey? And focuses on cymbals produced in Turkey?
What features and options would you want to buy cymbals from this store? (Payment types, shipping etc.)


We will start with personal orders from drum forums (with paypal payments) and continue with an e-Bay store. This beta stage will act as a feasebility study for us, we want to know how many drummers would like to shop from a Turkish cymbal store.

Once we connect with a small but loyal customer base, we will launch our project web site; which will be the definitely best designed and most user friendly cymbal shopping web site ( we are more than sure of it! you can check our music site in Turkey as a reference www.dinlio.com (http://www.dinlio.com), we have a really big experience on internet and completed lot's of online projects in Turkey ); with high-resolution pictures, separete sound cymbals (with multiple tones from each cymbal), performance audio for every cymbal to listen them in action, articles, videos from the factories, breaking news from Turkey and more.

We will be adding a pricing list as a pdf very shortly, and take first orders if you're interested (orders will probably sent with DHL or UPS).

We really believe in this project, and we are very excited to hear your comments.

[arsenal1189]

this sounds really cool...

[hawk9290]

CLOSURE NOTICE: Effective May 15, 2007, Superstition Percussion ceased resale operations due to reasons beyond immediate control. Thank You to everyone for your support and patronage. I have made many friends in the time the business was operating, and I will continue to keep you all close as I have in the past. Although the business is closed at this time, I will always entertain the thought of a re-organization and re-opening in the future. My ethic requires me to give 110% to each and everyone I come into contact with - and due to current events this would be impossible.
one more down


sounds good though! I would be interested if the prices are really that competitive (not sure I can buy immediatley, but I would definitley consider it when I could). Good luck, I hope it works out for you

[drumbandit]

As you're in Turkey can I please ask you something nobody has been able to answer anywhere I've asked?
Do you know anything about Izmir cymbals? I know it's a city in Turkey but I can't find anything on their cymbals. I have a 18" crash which can be used as a ride with an AMAZING dark sound with nothing on it besides a small stamp into the cymbal saying Izmir with a logo. The cymbal looks years old and the stamp isn't printed on, it's etched/stamped like on old Zildjians.
I'd love any information you have or could find.
Many thanks

Tom

[Drumms]

1. If you are interested in this project at all.
- I guess we're all very interested.

2. What do you expect from a general cymbal store?
- Accessible prices, soundfiles on the website, possibility to try cymbals in the store.

3. What do you expect from a cymbal store based in Turkey? And focuses on cymbals produced in Turkey?
- A multi-language website, and a possibility to quickly order a cymbal (since you have direct access to the factory).

4. What features and options would you want to buy cymbals from this store? (Payment types, shipping etc.)
- Paypal, international shipping.

We hope for your success. İyi Şanslar!

[maestro]

As you're in Turkey can I please ask you something nobody has been able to answer anywhere I've asked?
Do you know anything about Izmir cymbals? I know it's a city in Turkey but I can't find anything on their cymbals. I have a 18" crash which can be used as a ride with an AMAZING dark sound with nothing on it besides a small stamp into the cymbal saying Izmir with a logo. The cymbal looks years old and the stamp isn't printed on, it's etched/stamped like on old Zildjians.
I'd love any information you have or could find.
Many thanks

Tom

Hey Tom, you really have a rare cymbal on your hands. I'm a drummer in Turkey but I've never heard of them. I know lot's of people in Turkish drummer community, and the guys were surprised just like me. We're looking to it; at first glance, if it were a cymbal brand, we should have heard of the name until now, so it can be a very old discontinued series of known brands.

So far we've found this:
http://mexico.lapapa.com.mx/cva/13710325_Platillo_Izmir_Ride_20_De_Oferton_
After seeing the pictures, we can say that there's a good chance Izmir's can be very old custom handmade cymbals.

There's a lot of talk going on between Turkish drummers; I'll let you know when we find some more information. Also I would appreciate if you share your thoughts about our "Cymbals For Turkey" project, described on the first message.


1. If you are interested in this project at all.
- I guess we're all very interested.

2. What do you expect from a general cymbal store?
- Accessible prices, soundfiles on the website, possibility to try cymbals in the store.

3. What do you expect from a cymbal store based in Turkey? And focuses on cymbals produced in Turkey?
- A multi-language website, and a possibility to quickly order a cymbal (since you have direct access to the factory).

4. What features and options would you want to buy cymbals from this store? (Payment types, shipping etc.)
- Paypal, international shipping.

We hope for your success. İyi Şanslar!

Thanks everyone for their messages. So far it seems we are on the right track and people are interested.

The website and all related documents will be in English, as this project is completely dedicated for selling cymbals globally. We can start with an eBay store, or make a beta web site, not sure about that yet.

The payments will be made by Paypal, there's no problem with that. International shipping is definetely available, it will be UPS or DHL, this can also be decided by customers' preference.

As you've noted, the quick order possibility will be one of the key features of our store; we're directly in contact with factories. If the cymbal ordered is available on stock; we'll ship the next day. If it should be newly produced by factory, we'll get it done in 3 days. International shipping usually takes 1-2 days. So the total will be;

If cymbal is available:
Best Scenario: 2 Days
Guranteed on: 4 Days

If cymbal is to be produced:
Best Scenario: 4 Days
Guranteed on: 7 Days

Are these timings are good for you? What do you think?

Our main problem will be the sound files. If we were a regular dealer outside Turkey, we would have 20-30 cymbals, and we could record all of them. But in our case, we are directly connected to the factories; so there are so many options. It's not possible to have all of them in stock. And some of them will be produced when an order is accepted. Maybe we can put generic sound files for every cymbal, any ideas?

Please continue on posting your comments, thanks.

[harryconway]

Wonderful idea. I have a 16" Soultone Extreme Series crash http://www.soultonecymbals.com/STCymbals.htm and a 16" Masterwork Legend Series crash http://www.masterworkcymbal.com/zi%20cata/giri/gi.htm and if someone put these kind of quality cymbal brands together under one roof, even if it's thru an eBay store, I think these smaller cymbal companies would all stand to benefit. Certainly us drummers would stand to benefit. Nothing against the Zildjian/Paiste/Sabian/Meinl/Ufip mindset, "cause I have plates from those companies too, but I'm really impressed with the Soultone and the Masterwork. And I have yet to see another drummer running "either" brand here in Los Angeles.

[drumbandit]

Thanks for the response, I really appreciate you looking for me.
On the subject of the website I back up what's basically been said already about a site. Just easy and simple links to different cymbal types etc, as well as detailed pictures and descriptions of each cymbal. I think that making the website easy to use, but not too basic or plain is key. Also, making an ebay store is a good idea as well because it gets the word around for people who don't go on drummerworld or wouldn't have known about your site.

Tom

[drumbandit]

I really don't know how I haven't seen this before, but I looked on the underside of the bell on my 'Izmir' cymbal and theyre's a faded old signature written in what looks like Turkish to me. Not sure if it is, but it sure isn't English. So it must be an old forgotten cymbal company from Turkey. Wonder what it's worth.

Tom

[Pukeboy]

Sound like a great idea! sound files, international shipping, safe payment, prices, etc. would be usefull features...
what wouldn't be cooler than saying to you're fellow drummers: "I've got original traditional turkish cymbals". I really hope you're project will be a succes.

michiel

[mereubu]

hey,
has there been any update on this? i think it sounds like a fantastic idea, maestro.
personally i would be more excited at the prospect of being able to order a range of great low-priced cymbals directly from turkey than quick delivery. i wouldn't sweat it too much. i have been using istanbul agop ride, crash and hihats for the last year and love them, so yes. very interested.

-heather

[maestro]

Hi everyone;

Finally, we've launched the site, Cymblify.com!

You can find the details in it's own thread:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?p=399365#post399365

Thanks everyone for their comments.

[Steamer]

Same question as in my other post on the other thread. Can you sell to North America?

Exclusive distribution contracts for Istanbul Agop for all of North America are firmly in place so how's that going to work. Again i'd like to know the answer to that ? and whether it can be done.

[OldStampK]

Those prices are really low. It would be nice to have sound files on individual cymbals, or at least from a typical cymbal in the lines being offered. Will you be selling Bosphorus and Turkish as well?