heheh, actually what is at issue here is whether or not this is any argument to claim a piano as a tax deduction, but evidently nerves have been hit, so let the topic stray as it will :) the issue of upgrading someone's piano is something i usually leave to whether or not the conversation with the client goes that way, and whether or not they WANT my opinion, as i am NOT a piano salesperson. some people hold their little 40 yr old spinets very dear to heart. others just want something that will function. often if it's a piano for a young student, the subject will come up, and then the floor is open, but otherwise - eh. part of the reason i got into tuning was due to a crotchety old man who upon entering my mother's home, immediately criticised the piano i grew up playing, and then proceeded to make it sound the worst it has ever sounded in 20+ years. and yes, he was a rpt. horrors. i'll do it myself, thankyouverymuch. as for me, my own issue (the piano purchase) is already resolved as i have decided to just GO for it. some opportunities are too sweet to pass up... thanks anyway! -ilex }-----Original Message----- }From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On }Behalf Of Dean May }Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 5:18 PM }To: Pianotech }Subject: RE: tax deductions? } } }What is at issue here is what is the customer's need? I don't often }recommend people upgrade their pianos. Most of the pianos I tune rarely get }played. But if I have one that is played a lot and is a junker, I recommend }they upgrade, as I know they will get more enjoyment out of their playing }and become a better piano player with a better piano. } }If they bought a cheapie to see if the kids stick with it and they've had }their kids in lessons more than a year, it is time to upgrade. My }estimation }is that is enough time for a child to prove that he is going to stick with }it. If you don't give them a better piano to play, it will be a }self-fulfilling prophecy: they will get discouraged playing junk and will }quit. } }In 25 years of tuning, I've only been asked a couple dozen times what piano }I've got at home. It is a '40s small Baldwin grand given to me by a dear }older woman before she died. Why would I upgrade that piano to a Steinway? } }Dean }Dean May cell 812.239.3359 }PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 }Terre Haute IN 47802 } }-----Original Message----- }From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf }Of Hechler Family }Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 3:12 PM }To: Pianotech }Subject: Re: tax deductions? } }Ryan, } }Boy have you hit a major nerve with me. } }Based on your comment, everyone should upgrade to a grand. Nearly 99 }percent of my business is the pianos you mentioned below. If which 99 }percent have no space for a grand or don't want a grand. And to top }things off, I own an antique player piano which is a Story & Clark which }I feel is a good quality instrument. Finally, I also rebuild antique }pump organs which are not upgradeable. } }So please keep your blanket statements to yourself. } }P.S. I recently acquired a player piano rebuilt job for a Gulbransen piano. } }Ryan Sowers wrote: } }<snip> } }> Very frequently I am encouraging people to upgrade their spinet, }> consoles, and worn-out uprights. How could I do this in good faith if }> I don't personally value the instrument enough to warrant owning a }> good quality one. } }-- }Duaine Hechler }Piano, Player Piano, Organ, Pump Organ }Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding }Associate Member of the Piano Technicians Guild }Reed Organ Society Member }St. Louis, MO 63034 }(314) 838-5587 }dahechler@charter.net } }_______________________________________________ }pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives } }_______________________________________________ }pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC