I am buying my first clarinet. I have a choice of a Benson or a selmer. Which one should I get?

No question here - Selmer

why?

If it breaks then every repair tech in the world can work on it. Everyone who fixes instruments has worked on Selmer clarinets and saxes and can easily get parts (if they don't already have the parts laying around the shop).

If you want to get that Benson fixed, you're just out of luck in 95% of shops, you'lll probably have to take it out of town for repairs. Nobody has parts or manuals.

I've never heard of a Benson until I just looked it up. It doesn't seem to be such a great brand, kind of cheap actually.

Selmer I've heard of and is a pretty good starter clarinet. My friend in high school band played all 4 years with a Selmer. Don't spend a lot of money on a Selmer, choose a plastic one rather than a wood one I would say. Plastic is easier for a beginner to maintain. Plus, if you ever want to upgrade, then you can go for a good wood clarinet.

imo--selmer

Definitely get the Selmer. I am really not sure which has more upgrade or trade value since it is a clarinet, but I do know that Selmer makes fine woodwind instruments for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students of music. Also, Selmer has way more options and varieties for you to choose from.