Ethics question, a recent example

[J. R. White]

Please let me add my “Good for you” to this conversation.  

I’ve sometimes found myself in social situations where someone has asked me,
out of the blue, to work for them.  In such situations, I always ask if they
have had a regular technician in the past; if so, I suggest that they keep
him/her.  My feeling is that the Golden Rule amounts to something!  Just as
I would not like anyone disturbing my relationship with my clients, I will
not disturb the business relationship of other technicians and their
clients.  I just state this plainly to people; and, this practice has always
worked well for me.  

J R W

 

jrwhiteltd at msn.com

(253) 922-2372

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Farrell
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 6:14 AM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Ethics question, a recent example

 

Good for you Brad, I'd like to think that I would handle the situation just
as you did.

 

> should he refer a
> client for a rebuild, and risk losing the client to the rebuilder?
> My answer:  Do what's in the customer's best interest, whether you
> profit from it or not.

 

Again, I agree with you. In this case, if the rebuilder adheres to good
ethical standards, when the rebuilt piano is delivered, s/he will tell the
piano owner something like "I know you've had Fredrika service your piano in
the past and I'm sure s/he will continue to do a fine job for you". If the
piano owner prefers to have the rebuilder service the piano, well that's
just the way things go, but IMHO, the rebuilder should at least open the
door for the original technician to resume servicing the piano. If the
rebuilder doesn't do that, I would then have the question of what other
shady practices does this rebuilder engage in?

 

Terry Farrell

 

 

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

> I'm all wound up on this, and wonder if you've had similar experiences.
> 
> Recently evaluated a 1907 Steinway A for a customer who wished to sell it.
> An associate of mine discussed with me, and decided to call a 'wheeler
> dealer' fast talking guy who brokers Steinways.
> The guy got me on the phone and tried everything he could to get me to
> sway this customer into selling the piano for xx$ and you get xxx$ in
> the process, etc.
> 
> I literally had to fight him to say that my position concerning this
> customer was to be HIS advocate, and regardless of the fast commission
> dangling there....I WAS NOT GOING to use the trusted relationship in
> the way this guy wanted.
> 
> Really bothered me, the way this guy tried to pressure me into using
> my position to persuade this customer in an advantageous way. I'm all
> for making money from the position I hold in the piano industry;
> networking; contacts, etc. ....but if a customer is paying me for
> honest advice, and I accept the gig, my allegiance is to that
> customer, period!
> 
> It's been a month or two since this happened, and I don't know if the
> piano is sold yet or not.   I did provide the customer with several
> websites where he could sell his piano, and a convenient PDF report
> that he could email to prospective buyers.
> 
> I know a few people who would certainly not have lost a moment's sleep
> over this, and would have done immediately what this guy on the phone
> wanted.
> I knew in my gut that I was doing the right thing, and I'm not trying
> to get points for being some kind of naive person.
> 
> My feeling is that I should not have to steal from other people to
> provide for my family, not for $50 and not for $5000.
> 
> Recently, another tech asked me about his dilemma...should he refer a
> client for a rebuild, and risk losing the client to the rebuilder?
> My answer:  Do what's in the customer's best interest, whether you
> profit from it or not.
> 
> End of Sermon on the Laptop.  Amen.
> 
> --
> Best Regards,
> Brad Smith, RPT
>  <http://www.SmithPiano.com> www.SmithPiano.com
> II III II III II III II III II III II III
>  <mailto:brad at smithpiano.com> brad at smithpiano.com
> 603-494-4147
>

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