Piano Fiasco

[Farrell]

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Thank you for your well thought out advice. One of the things I think I =
have learned from all the input, is that one may feel a bit safer =
commenting on the value of a run-of-the-mill 1952 Wurlitzer spinet, but =
as the piano gets newer and more valuable, more research (both on the =
piano condition/modifications and cost of similar pianos) is =
appropriate.

Terry Farrell =20
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Randy Rush=20
  To: pianotech post=20
  Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 1:43 AM
  Subject: Re: Piano Fiasco


  Terry, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you here, and sort of line =
up with some other comments that have been made. =20

  Why was she asking you point blank the value of the piano?  She must =
have had some second thoughts or concerns about what she paid.  I =
personally think that we should never shoot from the hip by giving a =
value without doing some research, and that is going to cost the =
customer a few bucks for the trouble.

  The value of a piano is a slippery thing.  It can depend on the local =
cost of living, the economic climate, what the dealer paid for it, who =
else might be waiting around the corner to pay the asking price.  What =
you decide is a value, even with some research, may vary quite a bit =
from what the next technician (as honest as you are) may come up with.

  I would advise several things about valuing pianos.  One, always use =
an Ancott for reference, and ask around to any dealers or salespeople =
you personally know to get as much info as you can.  Two, always offer =
the customer a range of values, high and low, not a fixed price.  =
Sometimes, if it is determined that a customer has paid in the higher =
end of my price range, I tell them that.  What this means is they did =
not get "taken", they paid in the high end of  what I feel is an =
acceptable range.

  You say there was no other reasonable thing to do but tell her, but I =
disagree.  You simply can say  "Since I am not a dealer, or don't know =
the precise value without looking into it, and I would be glad to do =
that for you for my regular fee".  The fact that you were off in your =
perception of current MSRP, based on what you remembered from last year, =
bears this approach out.

  If you are commenting on piano values without an Ancott, you are not =
using all the tools available to you.  They are not that expensive for =
what they give you back.  I have an arrangement here with another tech:  =
we split the cost of an annual subscription.  He takes the fall/winter =
book and I take the spring/summer one.  That keeps me current enough for =
our purposes.

  Of course, they are not the be all and end all of this aspect of our =
business, but they sure help.

  Randy Rush, RPT
  Seattle

  >No. This customer specifically asked me what I thought the piano was =
worth.
  >And I told her. There was no other reasonable choice in this =
situation, and
  >I would do it again.

  >Terry Farrell



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