You Tube Channel Breaks 100,000 views !!!

T here,

This is gonna be a quick one almost a blog-ette. As part of our efforts to build a nice drumming community online and increase our visibility and web presence. We knew we needed more than just a retail site. So back in February we started a Blog and a C & S You Tube channel. These avenues allow us to communicate in a more personal an indepth manner than possible with our Ebay store and until we get our own proprietary website ( where we can do anything) these sites are a godsend.

We decided right from the start that our YT channel wouldn't be just an ancillary site for C & S, we would allow all comments to be published with no censorship. A place where drummers can say what's on their mind. Unless a comment is derogatory or inflamatory in it's nature unless it critiseises someone personally other than me, we would let them stand on their own. It has proved quite successful.

We now have just under 120 video's on our channel. It has really begun to build quite a following with just under 250 subscribers and friends. Today we reached a milestone by breaking the 100,000 Views/hits mark. That is in just 8 months. I guess we must be doing something right. I'd like to thank everyone for making C & S's YT channel a rousing success. For me a total vindication that I'm on the right path and I assure all of you the very best is yet to come. Thank You everyone. T. president, Cymbals & Snares

HACKED & ATTACKED !!

Hey Everyone,


T here again. This is a disclaimer for this posting there will be the use of bad language in this particular blog, there's just know other way to describe how I am feeling. My company Cymbals & Snares was hacked into on Sunday September 28th. To be honest some people are just Jerkoff's plain and simple. Who ever perpetrated this egregious attack will get theirs. I am both infuriated and devastated at the same time. I honestly hope whoever was behind the hacking gets killed in a horrible Automobile accident. That may be a little strong for some of you, but not me I'm just getting warmed up. It has caused irreparable harm to my company in both lost sales, money & reputation.





I have spent the last two years building a unique Percussion retail site. Trying to be everything that I thought was lacking in the drum retail market. Everything from product selection to customer service I not only know we can do it better, but for the better part of two years we have. Then something like this happens. Some really Fucked up individuals come along and screw with not only your company and business but your lively hood. This is not something I take to very well. As always I try to run a business that is open honest and transparent to it's customers, that's the way it should be.





Let me begin, September was a record month for us in many ways. We had a record number of hits on our website. We had a record number of transactions. We shipped a record number of products and naturally we set a new sales record. It was all good, We are just waiting on our holiday order from Silken. We just finalized a second distribution deal with a major foreign company, they make drum heads and we are quite anxious to introduce them to the US market. We received our final prototype of Overdrive Cymbals which have been warmly received by our customers. We were rolling and the tumultuous spring we had and it's issue's were squarely behind us. Then this happens and we once again for the second time this year face a disaster of epic proportions.





I went to turn on my computer Sunday morning. The website was having trouble coming up, This happens from time to time poor or a slow Internet connection are a hassle but usually clear themselves up in due time. I then decided to check our Non-ebay store email. Hmm that's not coming up either, don't ask me why but sometimes if I just reboot the computer it seems to clear a problem like this up. So I close everything down and hit the re-start button I'd come back to this in a little while. When I came back there was no difference. I finally got the computer up and running and I could tell instantly there was something wrong. I initially thought we had gotten a virus, soon I realized it was much more. Our analytics page did not look right, our shipping page didn't look right But I still hadn't realized the magnitude of what had happened.



It soon became apparent we had a serious problem. The magnitude was soon apparent, money had been purloined from our Paypal account, I grew both concerned and pissed off someone didn't just screw around with our computer someone had stolen from us, This was now a crime. Our computers were essentially frozen unable to access our store and soon we realized it was not confirmed to just our Ebay store. Our Yahoo mail account was compromised our Blog was screwed with ( you can access all our sites from a central point ) Once your " In " you can go just about anywhere Cymbals & Snares has a web presence.



A friend who's a computer wiz came over to see if he could straighten out the problem. After looking at it for awhile and me explaining what had happened including cash " Missing " from our account he uttered a phrase I would come all to familiar with " I think somebody Hacked into your site" At first I really didn't think that was correct. Who the hell would want to hack into my companies site ? For what ? We are a still a smaller company, but we are growing in every aspect. Sales, web presence and our wholesale business have all registered very healthy increases this year. Still what would you gain from it ? Slowly the picture became clearer. I started to form an opinion who and why this was done.

Legally I cannot accuse anyone unless I have proof who dun it. We do not. This has been such a setback for C & S it's not funny. Our shipping is in disarray, Our paypal account was emptied crippling our efforts to catch up on our late shipping. I don't mind getting the occasional negative feedback but to get negative feed backs for something beyond our control really pisses me off. I have been in contact with almost everyone who is waiting for their products and honestly so many have been more than supportive I can't ask for more. Still I do fear the inevitable 1or 2 or 3 negatives we will surely receive. I have one customer who already said he's leaving us a negative regardless of what happened. I offered him a refund with a free gift, not to "buy" him off but because it's the right thing to do. He turned it down he wants his cymbals and all I can do is wait for his negative comments. In a situation like this I feel helpless. It's just so aggravating. You work so hard to develop a company with a sterling reputation and it can get trashed overnight. Apparently some people could care less what has happened. It's aggravating and sad. So my friends that's it in a nut shell I really can't go on this is just to upsetting. I'll finish at another time. Before I go welcome subscriber 11. T.

Columbus Day !! Score one for the Eye- Talians !!

How youz doin tonight ?



T here. Before I really get rolling I just thought I'd throw these useless statistics at you. Although this C & S blog has only 10 subscribers as of yet, Our You Tube channel just broke 200 subscribers last week With friends included it brings the number to a total of 245 subscribers. Add the 10 loyalist from this Blog , and we get 255 not bad at all so far considering we really only got both of these two sites under the company banner in the last 8 months. So effectively those figures represent 8 months worth of activeity, I say this not to laud any accomplishments this may represent. I just think to me it's gratifying to see so many drummers in just a short time climb on board the "Other Name Brand " bandwagon. I also think it's cool when a company/person/blogwriters or whatever share some info back with the people who stop by and read a blog. This blog is now read on average 500 times a month. September 2010 we set a new "Views" record, recording a total of 797 views.Our You Tube Channel has just shy of 99,000 downloads. Not too shabby for 8 months, operating as a true ancillary site for C& S's Ebay store.







I quote stuff like this from time to time, Because I know when I go for example to a drum forum. I get inquisative about the stats of that site , how many people have been here ? Am I alone ? I dunno I just find stuff like that interseting. Perhaps you do also. I find these statistics particularly gratifying because as I stated earlier it's nice to see an idea or concept that you yourself are working on or developing , being embraced by other drummers. Continuing with my useless statistics Our blog is most popular in the following countries The United States, Australia, Russia, Peru, United kingdom, Costa Rica and Luxembourg. That's right Luxembourg, For those of you who are unsure of where luxembourg is it's one of Europe's smallest countries wedged in between Germany and France. One of the things about running a Internet business is the far reach it has.

Later this weekend I will post a complete rundown on what exactly has transpired In the HACK/ATTACK of last month. T.

Overdrive Cymbals

Today my friends Cymbals & Snares introduces Overdrive cymbals, This is C&S's own "house" brand of Cymbals. You may or may not realize it but C & S's is not only a retail company but also a wholesale company ( business to business). We are the US distributors for Silken Cymbals, Overdrive cymbals and all Overdrive brand products and we are in discussion's with an overseas drum head company to distribute thier products here in the US. But let me get into some basic about this whole other side of our operations, and give you some info on that.





Cymbals & Snares opened our cyber doors two years ago as a percussion retail business, but from the start I knew that we would eventually get into Wholesaling and hopefully Distributing percussion products. The wholesale/distributing " thing " sorta just happened a short while after our affiliation with Silken Cymbals began. Then another opportunity to retail/wholesale another product arose. We are still working on it. Any good wholesaler has it's own house brand of products. LPD Music has TKO brand, Universal Percussion has several brands under it's belt but It's true "house" brand is Cannon brand. It goes on and on. I knew that if C & S's Drumpire were to really flourish to all it's potential we needed to Wholesale and we needed a house brand.





The first product I wanted to develop was a line of Cymbals. Now there are several ways to go about it. Thier is what is known as re-branding where either you or the company you purchase a certain brand/line of cymbals from removes the original brand and series and is replaced by your own. This is a very common option. We choose the harder and more costly approach, working with our manufacture we gave them specific parameters to adhere to for each type of cymbal. It took quite awhile to finish but we are happy with the results. In looking back we probably jumped the gun by starting with a line of Cymbals, and not just having something re-branded. We're still new and we can error now and again. In the end I'm so happy how Overdrive Cymbals came out I'm glad we did what we did.





Funny how quickly things change. Financially and socially my life was as far away to where I am today as I could ever imagine. Due to unforseen circumstances our product development budget is pretty small at the moment. Hopefully with increased holiday sales we'll be able to start to fund our product development program fully again. We really have some hot Hardware and some pretty trick items comming down the line. Stick around were just getting rolling. T.

A Big Thank You To some great customers.

When, I started Cymbals & Snares It was really a combination of feeling " I can do it better" and an over all frustration with the current state of affairs in the Instrument retailing business. Combined with the idea of a Store that specialized in the brands we do Could be a reasonable success. Along the way I have promoted the idea of a "community " A place were drummers could share idea's an opinions and just discuss products or drumming in general. It doesn't always have to be about a sale. It's gratifying to see that after two years , the business is still even here! And the idea's I originally started out with are still relevant and are really beginning to take shape and form.

The idea of building a loyal customer base a "community " of drummers is really taking shape and hold. I have some fantastic people who are loyal regular customers. There is really a kinda Tier system developing. There's the super regulars, and the semi regulars. Even the occasional shopper who returns is vitally important to me. In business the absolute best compliment one can receive is a return customer. That tells you he was satisfied with all the aspects of our transactions and has decided to do business again with you. There's alot of places to spend your money. I'm honored that people choose C & S to do it.

Now I'm gonna name some names. Don't get bent if I didn't name you. This blog is just the first in a series that I will be thanking my customers. These are the guys on my mind at the moment. There's AL from Brooklyn, He is a regular and a loyal shopper. Since he's not far from me I'd like to check out his band if they ever play S.I. or jersey. Bernie, a really good guy very interesting and intelligent guy, he's in the "industry" and also attempting to do his own thing. I wish him well. He's also doing some things for me that is just unbelievably cool. I owe this man big time. Thomas from Cali, a really big and loyal C&s fan. I'm lucky he found my store. When we finally get C&S shirts printed up He get the very First one on us. He deserves it. Wojtek from TX, He purchased from me when I was ill. He was so supportive it isn't funny. It took about a month to finally get him his products. But all he kept telling me was get better. He's looking for more Items and he will get takin care of. Just a super nice caring guy.

That is just a very few the tip of the iceberg sorta speak. I could go on and on. The point being with guys like that on your side, it gives you a feeling of " Vindication" sorta speak. That my ideas and hopes for a drum shop like I wanted is beginning to bear fruit. Oh, does that fruit taste sweet. Well just a quick blurb and thank you's today on Labor day. Everyone enjoy your holiday may it be a good one. Till next time T

Labor Day Weekend Sales

Hey everyone, This is T , well Labor day is upon us and as the symbolic close of summer has decended upon us. So has another annual right of passage. The Labor Day Sale. I just wanted to let our growing family know that were having one too. Every item we have, Every Cymbal, tom set. Cymbal stand, Snare drum EVERYTHING IS 10% OFF !!! This is probably our most extensive and comprehensive sale we have ever had. If you have been flirting with a purchase This weekend is the time to strike.

This sale just doesn't pertain to the drummers themselves, Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Mom & Dads aunt's and Uncles Hell even your cousins Vinnie & Salvatore who are each doin a Nickle at east jersey state got paypals accounts. It's a thing known as presents. It certainly not to early to start shopping for that special someone for Christmas. FYI Cymbals don't go bad or spoil they be fine purchased today for a christmas gift. Not trying to push anyone I just feel obligated to bring up that point.

So If ya get a chance check out our website for some of the best prices on percussion equipment all year. Here is just a small example TKO 7 ply all Maple Piccolo snare, with triple flanged hoop just $120 something. TKO 8100 add on toms $125.00 Evans head packs starting at $ 34.99 !! All Wuhan Cymbal packs on sale including the super popular Mega Pack featuring 8 brilliant finished cymbals and a cymbal bag was $399 now $359 plus Free shipping, What I'm I nuts ?? My shrink said something like that last week.

I want everyone to enjoy your Holiday weekend and if your in the mood to add something to your kit or wanna just by a friend a gift stop by www.cymbalsandsnares.com for some of the absolute lowest rock bottom prices we have offered all year. Till next time T

Cymbals & Snares pulls a hatrick this week !!

August, a virtual dead sea in retailing for us and many other business's it's the slowest month of the year. Many indie's and small mom & pop shop if they take a vacation and close up shop for a week or two it will be in August. It's the biggest vacation month of the year. One last shot at relaxation before the kids head back to school and the inevitable march towards holiday madness and mayhem ensue's. Unless your in a tourist area or your a general merchadiser like Target , Sears or Walmart who do alot of back to school business August sucks for sales.

This year we repeated our stategy for dealing with this in our 2nd annual DOG DAZE OF SUMMER SALE. It worked rather well. Our sales were up over last August but we also have a whole lot more going on than we did last year at this time. We have You Tube, We have this Blogger and we have more inventory. So for us in a year to year comparison we did satisfactry business. Our store traffic was up by more than double and page views at our store were more than triple.

For the first time last week all three sign on list we have ,one for our stores mailing list a blogger subscriber list and our You Tube subscriber list all added members. Two of the three always seem to add a subscriber or two. One will add a bunch another maybe just one the third will be dead. Last week a barrier of sorts was smashed as we saw enrollment lets call it at all three sites rise for the first time together. Kinda cool atleast from our perspective. Putting in time and effort to try and create good solid content for our fellow drummers and watching all 3 intertwined website's that make up The Cymbals & Snares world grow simultaneuosly. I don't wanna make more out of it than there is , but when a barrier falls it feels good. That's all I got for you tonight my friends just a quick blurb that a very small but important accomplishment has taken place. Thank you all who participate. till next time............. T