[pianotech] (no subject)

[paul bruesch]

To me, the suspiciousness arises from   (a) the suggested appraisal values
  (b) the stated potential sale prices being based on suggested appraisal
values
  (c) the intimation that a higher appraisal would result in the owner
asking a lower sale price
  (d) the discussion of tax write-off, particularly vis-a-vis (c)

But granted, we are all coming in at intermission.

Paul Bruesch
Stillwater, MN

On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 2:59 PM, Kendall Ross Bean <kenbean at pacbell.net>wrote:

> Perhaps I missed something, but it is not at all clear to me why many seem
> to be automatically assuming that the communication from David Ilvedson's
> customer below is soliciting some sort of fraudulent behavior.
>
> I simply don't have have enough information to make that assessment.
>
> I don't know, for instance, what preceded this communication, or if the
> customer had any basis (like a prior appraisal or valuation of some sort on
> the piano in question) for the figures he is quoting. Perhaps he also has
> some figures from his accountant that he is trying to work with. I mean, he
> does say "If the appraisal was [this figure], or if the appraisal was
> higher..." which to me seems to acknowledge that he doesn't assume what the
> appraised value will be.
>
> Perhaps David Ilvedson could cast some more light on the circumstances
> surrounding this "snapshot" he has given us.
>
> David Love commented in a recent post on this particular situation, "I do
> appraisals but I don't fill in numbers on request.  The appraisal must be
> based in some kind of reality." I think most of us here would subscribe to
> that.
>
> But to me it is not at all clear that that is what this customer is trying
> to do.
>
> I can see ways that a person writing this could be legitimately and legally
> trying to minimize the amount of taxes he has to pay. Don't we all try to
> do
> that?
>
> If I understood the initial post correctly, David Ilvedson simply commented
> that he didn't see how a person selling a piano (rather than donating it in
> its entirety) could also claim a tax deduction on it. It seems some are
> assuming that that is not possible, but I'm not at all sure that is the
> case.
>
> It also seems that some are assuming, from this limited communication, that
> the customer is trying to tell the appraiser what they would like the piano
> appraised at. Like I say, based on the limited "snapshot" we have been
> given, that is not at all clear to me. I would need more information before
> deciding "not to touch this with a thirty-nine foot pole".
>
> In recent years, I have become a lot more careful about assuming that I
> know
> a person's intent.
>
> Like I say, maybe I am missing something here that others can plainly see.
>
> (Wouldn't be the first time! ;-) )
>
> Perhaps someone could fill me in.
>
> Sincerely~
>
> Kendall Ross Bean
>
> ~PianoFinders
>
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