When we get the bids back I look over the specs of the competing models and find relevant differences. I site those differences and justify why those are significant (OK, sometimes I'm reaching a little by comparing specs that may or may not make a tangible difference, but most of the time I can find something significant in the published specs). I also site the less tangible difference (less to the bean counters), such as the superior artistic aspects of our first choices, the history of good performance here and at other institutions, how that impacts perspective students, visiting artists, faculty morale, etc. I also point out the track record of the desired pianos (good longevity, dependability, and prompt attention to warranty related claims). You can also add in the higher expected re-sale value at surplus when it's time to replace them. We're fortunate here. The folks in the purchasing department want us to be happy and understand that pianos and other instruments are different than much of what they have to deal with on these state bids. They help me to justify our first choices so they can defend them. Now when designing the specs for bids I look over the various models we want and try to find relevant differences between them and the likely competition before the bids go out and add those specs to the bid. I also make sure that all the dealers that carry the brands and models we want get the bid offers. They also put out a public notice so we most often get bids back with competing brands. If the bid is designed right it makes it easier to justify your choices when they come back, but you should be able to do it regardless. Scott E. Thile Piano/Instrument Technician --------------------------- Dept. of Music, Murray State University 504 Fine Arts Building, Murray, KY 42071 Office Phone: 270-809-4396 <http://campus.murraystate.edu/staff/scott.thile/> http://campus.murraystate.edu/staff/scott.thile/ From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Aaron Bousel Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 8:38 AM To: caut at ptg.org Subject: [CAUT] Hailun & Suzuki vs. Yamaha Our department (UMass Amherst) is in the process of taking bids on some new verticals. They've received bids for Yamaha, Hailun, Suzuki and Sauter. I just received the following in an email from the department chair: ================ "What I need is any specific reasons why Hailin or Suzuki are not at the Yamaha level. Everyone so far agrees we need to go w/ the Yamahas, but I need specific reasons why the Suzuki or Hailin's don't work---poor tone, action is known for too request repairs, or??? " ================ This is a state school and they may be required to go with the lowest bid unless they can show good cause not to. The models in question are: Hailun HU 116 vs. Yamaha P22 Suzuki AU8 vs. Hailun HU5, vs. Yamaha U1 This is the first time since I've been here that we're buying pianos and also the first time the department chair has actually consulted me on a piano issue. Have any of you had any direct experience with these pianos and can answer his questions? Beyond siting Yamaha's reputation and track record (and the fact that we have some 40 year old verticals that are still in service) I'm not sure how to respond to his request. As you can see from his email, this is not a matter of deciding which piano they want, but of justifying the extra expense to the higher ups. thanks for you help, Aaron ------------------------------------------ Aaron Bousel Registered Piano Technician, Piano Technicians Guild abousel at comcast.net (413) 253-3846 (voice & fax) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20100827/69c2d329/attachment.htm>
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