I see no reason to suppose this person is guilty of fraud in this sense. He does not imply that the appraiser is to create a value greater than the fair market value so that he may deceptively profit. It is an easy thing to infer, however. But the tone of intent in written word is easily misunderstood. The only thing we know for certain is that he/she wants to take advantage of the legal system to avoid losing money he/she does not want to lose. We are all guilty of that. However, we differ in our style of completing that task. -Noah From: paulrevenkojones at aol.com To: ilvey at sbcglobal.net, pianotech at ptg.org David: Do we all know the word "fraud"? To solicit or create a value which is not a "fair market value" in order to cause a purported capital loss on the sale is fraud. Paul -----Original Message----- From: David Ilvedson <ilvey at sbcglobal.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 2:23 pm Subject: [pianotech] (no subject) I have a customer who emailed me the following: "Thanks for your reply. Because of how taxes work, if we could get a written appraisal on the piano of $20,000.00-$25,000.00 we could sell the piano for less and then "write off" the remainder. For example, if the appraisal was $20,000.00 we would sell the piano for about $15,000.00 and if the appraisal was higher we would sell it for even less. " Does that sound right? I don't see how they can write off a personal sale...???? David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 Noah Haverkamp Frere Know-a Piano? http://www.knowapiano.com 347-308-0094 --- On Sat, 12/6/08, pianotech-request at ptg.org <pianotech-request at ptg.org> wrote: From: pianotech-request at ptg.org <pianotech-request at ptg.org> Subject: pianotech Digest, Vol 2, Issue 44 To: pianotech at ptg.org Date: Saturday, December 6, 2008, 5:18 AM Send pianotech mailing list submissions to pianotech at ptg.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://ptg.org/mailman/listinfo/pianotech_ptg.org or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to pianotech-request at ptg.org You can reach the person managing the list at pianotech-owner at ptg.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of pianotech digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Refinishing ebony sharps? (kurt baxter) 2. Re: new testing requirement (Joe And Penny Goss) 3. Re: Refinishing ebony sharps? (Michael Spreeman) 4. Re: Refinishing ebony sharps? (David Ilvedson) 5. Re: (no subject) (paulrevenkojones at aol.com) 6. Re: appraisals (Kendall Ross Bean) Ok, what are my options to re-black worn ebony sharps? I have only attempted this myself once, and the stuff I used (some sort of spray black lacquer I think) did this really horrible crazing/cracking thing as it dried. A refinisher friend told me it was a result of the lacquer reacting with the finger oils that had soaked into the parts that were worn down to bare wood. She ended up having to aggressively strip all the old black off and start new. Is there any way to avoid this? Can I make then look better (if not perfect) without stripping them? [kurt] Or certified NUTS Joe Goss RPT Mother Goose Tools imatunr at srvinet.com www.mothergoosetools.com ----- Original Message ----- From: wimblees at aol.com To: Pianotech at PTG.org Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 3:00 PM Subject: [pianotech] new testing requirement We're not doing the tuning exam right. We should be testing under 'normal" conditions. which include, but are not limited to: TV blaring right next to the piano, kids screaming, the garbage truck going down the street, and backing up, lawn mowing, dishes being washed in the next room, and the ceiling fan going. At least that's what the conditions were this morning. If anyone can tune a piano with all that going on, then he should be qualified as an RPT. Happy Holidays everyone. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com Listen to 350+ music, sports, & news radio stations – including songs for the holidays – FREE while you browse. Start Listening Now! #yiv2001287442 .hmmessage P { margin:0px;padding:0px;} #yiv2001287442 { font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;} Ebony wood is oily and fairly difficult to finish with lacquer; urethane tends to work better. Sand them, wipe down with acetone, dye, and finish. The most success I've had with making ebony sharps black is to die them with a high quality shoe makers leather dye and finish over that. The leather dye works well on the lesser quality sharps. High quality ebony sharps were never really intended to look "absolutely black". They look and feel amazing if sanded down to 600 grit and buffed. If one wants pure black sharps with no grain, use plastic. Michael Spreeman www.RavenscroftPianos.com Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. Get your Hotmail® account. RE: [pianotech] Refinishing ebony sharps? Consider the beauty of natural ebony...blacks, browns...beautiful. That being said Pianotek has a black tint especially for sharps...I haven't used it... David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 Original message From: "kurt baxter" To: "Pianotech List" Received: 12/5/2008 8:28:06 PM Subject: [pianotech] Refinishing ebony sharps? Ok, what are my options to re-black worn ebony sharps? I have only attempted this myself once, and the stuff I used (some sort of spray black lacquer I think) did this really horrible crazing/cracking thing as it dried. A refinisher friend told me it was a result of the lacquer reacting with the finger oils that had soaked into the parts that were worn down to bare wood. She ended up having to aggressively strip all the old black off and start new. Is there any way to avoid this? Can I make then look better (if not perfect) without stripping them? [kurt] David: Do we all know the word "fraud"? To solicit or create a value which is not a "fair market value" in order to cause a purported capital loss on the sale is fraud. Paul -----Original Message----- From: David Ilvedson <ilvey at sbcglobal.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 2:23 pm Subject: [pianotech] (no subject) I have a customer who emailed me the following: "Thanks for your reply. Because of how taxes work, if we could get a written appraisal on the piano of $20,000.00-$25,000.00 we could sell the piano for less and then "write off" the remainder. For example, if the appraisal was $20,000.00 we would sell the piano for about $15,000.00 and if the appraisal was higher we would sell it for even less. " Does that sound right? I don't see how they can write off a personal sale...???? David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 Listen to 350+ music, sports, & news radio stations – including songs for the holidays – FREE while you browse. Start Listening Now! RE: [pianotech] appraisals David~ I have been reading these posts in this thread. For what it's worth, and for future reference, we specialize in piano appraisals, and I get over to the San Francisco peninsula to appraise instruments there on a regular basis. We are based in Walnut Creek. You can see sample pages of our comprehensive appraisal at http://www.pianofinders.com/buyers/pianoshowroom/Steinway262369appa.htm It is a 7 page document, including an on-site inspection report, recommended repairs (including cost), and a number of different types of market valuations, including estimated values before and after repairs (to help ascertain whether repairs are worth doing). We include replacement value, current market value, and wholesale value wherever possible. We have evolved this appraisal over 25 years in business, based on needs of piano owners, buyers, sellers, estate appraisers, insurance companies, moving companies, dealers, rebuilders, refinishers, and numerous other interested parties. When I appraise a piano, I realize I can't be too terribly concerned about how people are going to ultimately use the appraisal, because I don't have a lot of control over that: after the appraisal is completed it's basically out of my hands. There are legal and illegal ways to "write off" things. I assume that most people would want to consult an accountant or an attorney specializing in tax law before risking an audit, fines, or possibly a jail term. Karen, my partner in the business, and our market value specialist, is also on the board of a 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization qualified to receive charitable donations (including pianos) and to issue donation receipts so those donating can claim tax deductions (or "write-offs"). -So she knows quite a bit about both piano sales, and piano donations, and what can be written off and what can't, and the rules governing those transactions. For example, generally speaking, if a piano is being "donated" in some way for a "write-off", the donor themselves may declare the value as long as it is under $5,000. If it is $5000. or over, then an independent appraiser must declare the value. There are rules governing who can be a qualified appraiser in this circumstance. Generally they cannot be a party to the transaction, or someone who would stand to benefit from the transaction in a way that might influence their valuation of the piano. The organization or institution accepting the donation can't be just anybody, either. They have to be recognized by the government as a certain type of non-profit or charitable organization, in order to be able to issue the proper donation receipt for a tax deduction. There are apparently many ways that a person could claim a tax "write-off" on a piano, including depreciation, donation, irrecoverable business losses, etc., -even possibly selling a piano. But you would have to consult a tax specialist to find out how it could be done legitimately and legally. More info on charitable contributions and tax write-offs can be found here: http://www.pianofinders.com/owners/instructions_for_form_8283.htm Sincerely~ Kendall Ross Bean PianoFinders www.pianofinders.com e-mail: kenbean at pianofinders.com phone: (925) 676-3355 Connecting Pianos and People From: David Ilvedson [mailto:ilvey at sbcglobal.net] Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 7:14 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org; ilvey at sbcglobal.net Subject: Re: [pianotech] appraisals I see I'm getting no takers now... '-] David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 Original message From: "David Ilvedson" To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 12/5/2008 11:38:07 AM Subject: [pianotech] appraisals Who in the Bay Area...Peninsula does piano appraisals? David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 _______________________________________________ pianotech mailing list pianotech at ptg.org http://ptg.org/mailman/listinfo/pianotech_ptg.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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