sheldon smith replacement?

[Richard Brekne]

Jeshhhh... David...

Not meaning to demean your sensitivities... but what is the point of getting peaved at
this guy, or at somebody elses innocent enough posting. Personally I see a lot of
opportunity in this exact situation. But any such opportunity calls for a degree of
positivism. The late technician was obviously held in high regard, deserved or not (from
a technicians point of view). That a group of customers held thus such respect for a
technician means that they have already at least some sense of seriousness with regard to
the care of their instruments. I would think that rather then allowing oneself to become
"insulted" or irritated one would be wise to present an inviting attitude. Potentially
there is a whole crowd of new customers for your buisness. You and I know that the bay
area has many very qualified and professional technicians. The task at hand is to win
this fellow over, not further allienate him (if indeed he was allienated in any sense in
the first place).

Post is meant freindly, and I sincerely hope it is take as such, such worth as it may
have.

On the side of this, an interesting topic presents itself.. "how to approach taking over
a customer base from another technician due to death, retirement, etc". Lots of concerns
here


Richard Brekne
I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway



David ilvedson wrote:

> Michael,
>
> Actually, I thought Mr. Cleary had written "Master Piano
> Technician".  I was not referring to a certification of any kind
> except to being a little annoyed by Mr. Cleary's post to the
> List about his perceived need to import a "masters level
> technician" to the Bay Area, as if the death of Sheldon Smith
> was the end of all skilled piano technicians in this area.  In
> other words, this was an insult to all of us here, who work at
> our craft. Then your post of interest just kind ticked me off
> some more.  What were your qualifications over those of us
> already here?  If you can't understand where I'm coming from
> just reverse the situation to your work area.
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
>
> Date sent:              Fri, 08 Oct 1999 08:07:11 -0400
> From:                   Michael Jorgensen <Michael.Jorgensen@cmich.edu>
> To:                     pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject:                Re: sheldon smith replacement?
> Send reply to:          pianotech@ptg.org
>
> > David,
> >      No, I do not hold the title "Master Piano Technician".  Please forgive any
> > confusion as I had no intent to give myself that title.   Mr. Creasys' post
> > included the words "Master level technicians" which i interpreted to be a reference
> > to master craftsman or to highly qualified technicians.  "Highly Qualified
> > Persons"  is where I shamefully included myself by using the word "we" which I hope
> > you will forgive, as that was prideful and arrogant.
> > -Mike Jorgensen RPT
> >
> >
> > > Michael,
> > >
> > > I take it you are a "Master Piano Technician"?
> > >
> > > David Ilvedson, RPT
> > >
> > > Date sent:              Thu, 07 Oct 1999 13:11:03 -0400
> > > From:                   Michael Jorgensen <Michael.Jorgensen@cmich.edu>
> > > To:                     pianotech@ptg.org
> > > Subject:                Re: sheldon smith replacement?
> > > Send reply to:          pianotech@ptg.org
> > >
> > > > Hello James,
> > > >       It is very difficult for a technician, especially with a family, to move
> > > > to a strange city far away and start a business.  An anchor job with a
> > > > university, school, or store is generally required.  Most  highly qualified
> > > > persons are already well established and not willing to take the risks and
> > > > absorb the costs involved.  That doesn't mean we aren't interested.
> > > >      Perhaps you could line up enough tunings to cover expenses so that one
> > > > could fly to SFO and demonstrate their work.   The tech would need to come
> > > > many times until a large enough customer base is developed to merit giving up
> > > > ones position and relocating.   During the first flight one would surely worry
> > > > whether you and those tunings really exist and if they will ever cover the
> > > > airfare and lost time.
> > > >
> > > > -Michael Jorgensen RPT
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > James Creasy wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > hi all,
> > > > >
> > > > > sheldon smith took care of my pianos for the last 7 or so years here in the
> > > > > bay area, california.
> > > > >
> > > > > his death was a terrible shock to our community.  his abilities were
> > > > > rightfully legendary and personally he was one of the most wonderful and
> > > > > surprising people i have ever known.
> > > > >
> > > > > however a number of his former clients are starting to search for a new
> > > > > technician.
> > > > >
> > > > > i was curious if a master level technician would be attracted to the bay
> > > > > area considering the number of teachers and pianists that are looking for
> > > > > one.
> > > > >
> > > > > some of the excellent people that were working here seem to have retired or
> > > > > moved elsewhere, any recommendations are appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > > thank you,
> > > > >
> > > > > -james creasy
> > > > > berkeley, ca
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > David Ilvedson, RPT
> > > Pacifica, CA
> > > ilvey@jps.net
> >
> >
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA
> ilvey@jps.net