reply

[Ted Simmons]

Gina, I don't know how many times I've used the phrase "If it was a horse,
we'd have to shoot it."

Ted Simmons

><< As I have gotten older I have found it easier to stick to my guns when
> giving an opinion like, "the piano does not warrant the repair and the cost
> is too much to come out on based on what the piano is worth before and
> after the repair.
>        Stick to your guns and let someone else take their money and
>receive bad
> vibes when they find out too late it wasn't worth it. >>
>
>James and All,
>
>Maybe it's because I too have gotten older (I like to think it's sort of like
>fine wine <g>), but seriously, I've come to think it's more because we've all
>been there too. When we first started, every single job opportunity was
>extremely important. As we gained more and more customers, more and more
>experience, and consequently, more and more confidence, we learned that we
>didn't have to take every single job just to survive. With that knowledge we
>learned to look at the long term as well as the short term.
>
>I no longer have difficulty with those old klunkers that deserve to retire,
>and I no longer have difficulty telling their owners just that. My basic
>guideline is that if it costs more to repair it that it can be sold for,
>retirement time is here! I tell the owner they are better off saving that
>money toward a better instrument.
>
>Now what do I do when the client _really_ can't afford a better piano? I will
>nurse that baby along till they can. If something breaks that little Susie or
>Johnny needs in their current playing ability, l'll fix that one thing. Any
>more than that I'm just not willing to do. If they want it "fixed up," there
>is always someone else (like James said) who is willing to take their money.
>
>Gina Carter