Gratuities

[David ilvedson]

Wow!   

I can't come even close!

David Ilvedson


From:           	"adkpiano- Alan" <adkpiano@breathemail.net>
To:             	"PTG" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject:        	Re: Gratuities
Date sent:      	Thu, 4 Mar 1999 20:49:50 -0000
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> Hello Rob .+ list
> 
> Chutney - Just stick it on your cheese on toast. Some home made chutneys can
> be used to dope tired hammer felts!
> 
> The first piano I ever serviced { like yours  'A real heap of #*@&!!'} came
> complete with the biggest, and most valued, tip I've ever had. The customers
> were a young-ish couple, and the husband showed a real fascination for what
> I was doing to his cherished heirloom. I presented the finished piano and
> the bill was paid. Just as I was packing up my tools the husband said he
> would like to give me something !!! "more money"- I thought......
> He went away and came back with a rolled up green felt bag. They gave me 24
> quality hard wood handled wood chisels - a matching set - every conceivable
> head shape - each about 80 years old . I was astonished. He explained that
> he would never use them and that he wanted them to go to a good home. They
> had been his fathers.
> A few years later I showed them to a carpenter friend hoping he would
> sharpen them. He immediately offered to buy them - I wouldn't sell. He
> valued them at £600 !!!!!
> As you can guess, I'll never sell......
> 
> Alan
> adkpiano@breathemail.net
> 
> Alan King Mpta
> > UK Tech >Scotland
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Robert Goodale <Robert.Goodale@NAU.EDU>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: 04 March 1999 18:41
> Subject: Gratuities
> 
> 
> >I had a most interesting gratuity last night.  The piano- a 1908 Haynes
> >Bros. baby grand. A real heap of #*@&!!  At any rate the lady was real
> >nice and I told her I would see what I could do with it since it was her
> >personal little treasure.
> >
> >I quoted her $200.00 to take it apart, give it a good cleaning, do a
> >little hammer reshaping, and some regulation.  Unfortunately as I got
> >more and more into it I continually found something else wrong with it.
> >The clock kept ticking and I kept working.  She was very nice and polite
> >and I always try to stick to my quoted price if I can.  Nevertheless
> >this lovely piece of work was really starting to get to me.  I ended up
> >coming back the next day to finish up the regulation.
> >
> >The lady clearly new that I was giving it my all and that it was more
> >work than I expected.  When it came time for the bill she included a
> >$25.00 tip and... and a jar of "Chutney" that she made herself.
> >Hmmmmm.  I have no idea what chutney IS let alone what to do with it.
> >The point is she gave me something extra for my giving her something
> >extra.
> >
> >Just wondering...  What are some of the other items, (other than $$)
> >that some other techs on the list have received??
> >
> >Rob Goodale, RPT
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net