Liability advice

[Elian Degen J.]

Hello List

Since several month ago, (after I purchased one of these cheap digital
cameras) First thing I do with a new customer is take several pictures of
different points of the instrument in order to file it in my computer, this
way I have a visual of what the piano needs doing. After seeing this thread
I became more paranoid even. I am going to do it, and I think is a good Idea
for our protection. A checklist as the pilots use. Whenever checking an
unknown piano get our checklist sheet and start. Strings... Hammers..
Centerpins.. ribs.. falboard or whatever... this way one also doesn´t
forget..

The camera Idea also helped me several times. Last time was a Foreign CEO
which rented a house with a Grand Piano included,  This people called me to
tune the piano, but the piano was in a lousy condition, rusty strings and
tuning pins, Key leads swollen, Hammers almost square, and they were told
the instrument was in good condition. I took pictures of all damaged parts,
filled up a report and sent it by e-mail to the owner by the CEO request.

I think these are good ideas..


----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Hershberger <dbhersh@home.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 1999 11:34 AM
Subject: Re: Liability advice


> Hello list,
>     This poor fellows predicament (with the women threatening to sue)
brings
> to mind something I have wondered about for years.
>    There are just some instances in our work when we should probably just
> decline to work on certain instruments. I know it is hard because we all
> remember the lean times when just staring out when you wouldn't even
> consider turning down work. I for one have not been diligent enough on the
> phone as far as finding out about the piano in question, condition, age,
> etc.
> I know after reading this I will think twice about tuning anything with
the
> brand name "grand".
>    I recently had an experience with a fine quality piano that someone had
> butchered with a pianodisc installation. This is a good contract in a
> restaraunt with monthly tuning but I dread going there because of that
> pianodisc installers crude techniques.
>    I have often thought that Piano Technicians are often quilty of kicking
a
> dead horse by always trying to revive pianos that should have been junked
or
> rebuilt 20 years ago. Personally, I like working on newer pianos.
>    I know of people who say no to tuning players because of the extra
hassle
> or maybe they are afraid. Other people say no to tuning spinets. I am
> starting to think there is some wisdom in being selective if your business
> is at a comfortable level as far as making money. Of course it depends on
> the size of the place you live in. In rural areas I don't think you can
> afford to be as choosey. I would be interested to know if others on the
list
> turn down certain types of pianos or certain types of customers for that
> matter.
>    Good luck to AL with this whole matter. It is something all of us can
> relate to and fear.
> Doug Hershberger, RPT
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Robert Goodale <rrg@nevada.edu>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Monday, September 06, 1999 4:44 PM
> Subject: Re: Liability advice
>
>
> >
> > Al,
> >
> > I have had the unfortunate experience of coming across several "Grand"
> > brand spinets.  The name alone has "marketing" written all over it.
> > These royal heaps were manufactured by a company in North Carolina
> > who's main business was building furniture.  I think they started
> > making "pianos", (if you can call them that), to enhance their appeal
> > to furniture stores.  They are poorly made, crude at best, and sounded
> > bad even when new.  It is entirely likely that the gluing on this
> > piano was poor from conception.  Age and incorrect storage certainly
> > doesn't improve the situation.
> >
> > 1. This lady took a risk by buying it without any knowledge of what
> > features define a quality instrument.  If she did she would not have
> > purchases it in the first place.
> >
> > 2. She took another risk by purchasing it with the knowledge that it
> > was used and had been in storage for some time.
> >
> > 3.  She took still another risk by purchasing the instrument without
> > an inspection by a qualified tech.
> >
> > 4.  She called you expecting miracles, somehow thinking that you would
> > leave behind this wonderful heirloom quality piano.
> >
> > 5.  She called another "unknown technician" after the fact, looking
> > for a way to place blame.
> >
> > 6.  What would her attitude be like if she called "Mr. Unknown Tech"
> > first and then called you when the ribs pulled loose?
> >
> > I rest my case.
> >
> > Rob Goodale, RPT
> > Las Vegas, NV
> >
>