Ethics question

[John M. Formsma]

Ditto to what Ken said.

 

Something that helps me in this type situation is to remember the Golden
Rule (paraphrased): whatever way you want others to treat you, treat them in
the same manner.

 

Another thing that might help.how would you feel about a technician who gave
your exact advice to, say, your wife or your mother? Sometimes makes it
clearer to us when we put someone we love in a "what-if" scenario instead of
a stranger or business associate.

 

John Formsma

 

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ken Knapp
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 8:30 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Ethics question

 

Phil,

 

I think it would hinge on if you told the buyer the piano was worth the
asking price. Since you were willing to pay it then it obviously was.

 

>From where I sit I see a couple situations. Which yours actually falls into
only you can answer.

 

1. Buyer retains you to evaluate piano. You go see piano and want it for
yourself. You write positive evaluation but give the buyer a low ball
estimate of its worth without telling that it is worth the asking price and
you collect the fee. I'd have to say this WAS unethical.

 

2. Buyer retains you to evaluate the piano. You see it and want it for
yourself. You write positive evaluation and advise buyer the piano is worth
asking price but also advise to try a lower offer and collect your fee. In
this case I would say you did nothing wrong.

 

Ken

 

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: PJR <mailto:pryan2 at the-beach.net>  

To: ilvey at sbcglobal.net ; Pianotech List <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>  

Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 8:34 PM

Subject: Ethics question

 

I was asked to evaluate the condition of a used piano for a customer (buyer)
for a nominal fee.  It was a private sale.  When I went to see the piano, it
was one that I had been wanting for some time.  I wanted to buy it from the
seller.  Question: How, when and/or what must I do, ethically, to buy it
from the seller seeing that now I had a fiduciary relationship with the
customer who paid my fee?

What actually happened:

I wrote a positive report of the piano and recommended the buyer offer
several hundred dollars below the asking price.  She did so, but, the seller
rejected her offer.  The buyer  left the deal and bought another piano
elsewhere.  When I heard she bought another piano, without telling her,  I
offered the original seller his price and bought the piano.  Did I do wrong?
Should I have asked her permission?  Should I tell her now, especially since
she plans to  hire me to tune her new piano?  I have a queasy feeling about
the deal. Should I?    It could be a future, awkward situation.

Phil Ryan
Miami Beach





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