[pianotech] what woudl you do?

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Wim:
First, I'm glad to hear you got out of there with no incident.  
I once had a customer that called me, but wasn't home.  She rescheduled.  I went again, and the only ones home were her daughters.  I refused to enter.  There was no husband in the picture.  She sent me my fee anyway, but I never heard from her again.  
I absolutely refuse to enter if there are no parents home, and only underage kids.  Liability is too much in such situations.  If anything were to happen, even if it wasn't your fault, you'd be screwed big time.  At least, you'd have to defend yourself.  On your dime.
I even make sure the parents are close by, and never alone in a room with a child.  Sometimes, they want to get on the bench with you.  No way, Jose.
Just my take.
Paul McCloud
San Diego

----- Original Message -----
From: tnrwim at aol.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 2:35:33 PM
Subject: [pianotech] what woudl you do?


Most of us have expressed the opinion that you would not want to service a piano where the only person in the house is a teenage girl. But what you do in this case? 

Appointment is at 9 AM, regular once a year customer. Husband/father lets me in the door, and I get to work on the piano. About half way through the tuning, he comes in the room and asks how much the fee will be. I tell him. When he hands me the check he says, "I am leaving for work, but my daughter is home with a cold." I look, and see it's his teenage daughter. 

Now, mind you, I have been servicing this piano for 4 years, and have met the girl before, and I know the mother. But it still made me feel uncomfortable. I finished the tuning and left without incident. But what would you do? 

Wim