Wanting to do it right

[Dave Davis]

Hi Steven,

Don't use WD-40 on a piano action.

The last line from your letter pretty much sums it up. You're the one that looks bad to the customer, the next technician, and most of all, to yourself. You give good reasons for doing it right. I think most of us have come across situations like this, and sincerely expressing your desire to do honest and respectful work is a good place to start. If the dealer doesn't want any part of it, you'll have to make the decision whether to sleep at night, or lay awake wondering what effect WD-40, tuning the piano flat, etc. will have on people's lives.

Best regards,
Dave Davis, RPT


----- Original Message ----
From: Steven Hopp <hoppsmusic at hotmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 1:54:17 PM
Subject: Wanting to do it right


Hello all,
 
I guess I am writing this as a vent rather than a request.  I work for a well known piano dealer in my area who's business has been around for over 30 years.  I do some warranty tunings and some repair.  The owner has been like gold to me.  Helping me whenever he can.  Allowing me to work on my own projects in his shop.  Of course he gets floor and warranty tunings at a discount so it is very win win.  However,  when it comes to some things he wants me to cut corners.  For example, I just did a warranty tuning for a piano he delivered and it was 100 cents flat.  I pulled it up to pitch and did two tunings that day and plan to do go work on it again as it is already going flat.  Typical for such a piano.  However, he wanted me to leave it flat and just do a "touch up" on the tuning.  Also several of the high treble hammers and one of the bass hammers were sluggish and need some attention.  I couldn't give it at that time but he now says just spray it with
 some WD-40 and it will be fine.  There are other things that he wants me to do that I just won't do.  I need this association but how do you tell the guy you won't do some things and still get paid?  If I had left the piano flat and the lady eventually called another tuner for whatever reason - I would look like the moron not him.  Just a note in my life.  Any thoughts and or empathy are welcome.  
 
Steven



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