Service Refusal

[David Love]

I politely decline service periodically.  Some pianos are cans of worms that
only create headaches.  Usually the people who own them don't want to or
can't pay what is really necessary to fix them properly.  You end up doing a
compromised job that more often than not just makes you look bad.  In such
cases I do take the time to discuss why such a piano is not worth their time
or money, I make suggestions about alternatives, other pianos they might
consider purchasing in their price range that will be serviceable.  Most of
the time they are thankful that you don't lead them down a road that costs
them money that is not well spent.  Often they offer to pay me for the
information I have given them.  I have gained many long term customers this
way and sometimes made a commission finding them a piano.  Declining service
on a piano is sometimes the right thing to do, in my view.  How you can turn
what appears to be a bummer appointment and a total loss into something
profitable for all concerned can be a challenge, but it is doable.  

 

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net
www.davidlovepianos.com 

 

Subject: Service Refusal

 

I had a first today. I went to an appointment and refused to tune a piano.

 

1908 Cable upright. The piano had the tubbiest/deadest bass strings I have
ever heard, bass bridge was cracked and forward pins were migrating, dampers
missing, half the hammers were bobbling, extremely rusty strings (home was
subject to Hurricane Charlie damage), loose tuning pins, etc., etc. (need I
say more?).

 

I've never had to do it, but I refused to tune her piano. I've certainly
seen similar and worse pianos, but the owner's have understood that the
piano was toast (even when it was a family heirloom). This lady wanted the
damn thing tuned. Amazing.

 

I told her: "Sorry, call somebody else."   :-(

 

What a bummer appointment. I don't have very many of those...... :-)

 

Terry Farrell

 

 

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