[pianotech] pianotech Digest, Vol 2, Issue 44

Mike Spalding mike.spalding1 at verizon.net
Sat Dec 6 06:10:23 PST 2008


Sorry, that logic does not compute.  If the fair market value of the 
piano is $25,000, he makes the most money by selling it for $25,000, not 
by selling it for less than it's worth and writing off the difference.  
If he's already planning to sell it for less than $25,000, then he 
clearly believes that it is worth less than $25,000, and is asking for a 
fraudulently inflated appraisal. 

Noah Haverkamp wrote:
> 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
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>     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 <mailto:imatunr at srvinet.com>
>     www.mothergoosetools.com <http://www.mothergoosetools.com>
>
>         ----- Original Message -----
>         *From:* wimblees at aol.com <mailto:wimblees at aol.com>
>         *To:* Pianotech at PTG.org <mailto: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
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>
>
>     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 <http://www.RavenscroftPianos.com>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>     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
>     <http://toolbar.aol.com/aolradio/download.html?ncid=emlweusdown00000013>!
>
>     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 <http://www.pianofinders.com/>
>     e-mail: kenbean at pianofinders.com <mailto: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
>
>     _______________________________________________
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>     pianotech at ptg.org
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>               
>




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