Strange call #4337

[jolly roger]

Maybe we should all think about getting 1-900 numbers.   $3.95 a minute.
LMAO

Roger



At 07:43 AM 8/10/01 -0400, you wrote:
>Good Morning.
>
>Basically, I'm just venting right now, so if you don't want to listen, then
>please delete.
>
>
>I got a call yesterday from a woman who has an 'old piano, and we're
>thinking of "restoring" it'. Ok..I make an appointment for late yesterday
>afternoon.
>
>It's an old piano allright..it looks like a circa 1930ish Wurlitzer Grand,
>but there's no markings anywhere..case has been 'painted' (important for
>later conversation)..the key cover is the hinged type, similar of Wurlitzer
>and I'm sure others in that era.
>
>Anyway, there's a bunch of ivory missing..the pedal lyre is not connected
>because the previous mover told her that the holes are stripped out
>(yup)..hammers missing..action plays like a Mack truck trying to do 60mph in
>2nd gear..we've all seen them.
>
>SO..she says to me.."If this were your piano, what would you do with it?
>Ans. - I would restore it from top to bottom..that's what it needs to bring
>it back.
>
>.."and we're talking alot of money, right?"
>"well, what would be considered alot of money to you, ma'am?"
>
>"$2500."
>"..then yes ma'am, we're talking alot of money"
>
>"OK..then what would it take to get it playing again"
>(looking for a way out of this one already).."well, you need to fix the
>pedal lyre, replace the broken ivory, or think about replacing the ivory
>with new keytops.."
>
>"oh NO NO NO..we like it old..just the way it is..we know it's been
>painted(black), but we like to keep things as they are".
>
>"..well, if you like to keep things the way they are, and you know the piano
>has been painted, then you know that your feelings about keeping things as
>they are have been compromised.."
>
>"oh no..that is how the piano was GIVEN to us, and we want to keep it the
>same."
>
>"...........ok...............then why are you asking me to 'restore' your
>piano?"
>
>"well, we don't really want to restore it (no kidding)..we just want to get
>it playing again..what will that cost?"
>
>"$xxx".
>
>"wow, that sounds like alot to get it playing again..it probably hasn't been
>played for 20 years..that's how long we've owned it"
>
>(where's that hole I dug for myself?) "..ma'am, I don't like doing 'patch
>work', and that's what you're asking me to do..I can do it..I won't like it
>much, but your piano will play after I'm done".
>
>"well, thank you very much for informing us about what we have(fire wood).
>I'll let my sister know what it will cost to get it playing..it's her
>piano..she lives in Missouri".
>
>"you're welcome."
>
>roo(k)
>