Availability of quality tools and supplies

[Greg Newell]

Perhaps all those with these same intentions could offer to those of us
unenlightened slugs a list of alternative suppliers. Competition is good, yes?

Greg

Paul Kupelian wrote:

> I for one would like to see us all boycott these suppliers.  Those of us
> who are hosting regional and state conferences are getting the thumbs down
> from these suppliers who's very bread and butter comes from the people
> that they are snubbing. Recent examples are the NYSCON and North Carolina
> conferences where you wont see Pianotek or Schaff at either one.
>
> It seems to me that they are requiring a large registration in order to
> show up to sell their wares.  To them it is not profitable to come to a
> "small" state or regional conference anymore.
>
> Since Shaff now seems to be in a monopolistic situation having taken over
> APSCO, this situation will not get any easier.
>
> I am going to do business with suppliers who still regard the small
> conference as worthwhile.  Anyone else care to get on the bandwagon?
>
> Regards,
> Paul
> Paul Kupelian, RPT
> kupelian@oswego.edu
>
>  On Mon, 20 Aug 2001,
> [iso-8859-1] Jürgen Goering wrote:
>
> > Dear John,
> >
> > Yes, It would be wonderful if our North American suppliers would offer us
> > this particular tool, as well as other quality tools and supplies.
> >
> > I feel our North American suppliers are not serving the piano technician
> > community well.  Over the years, I have become frustrated with the quality
> > of many products and materials offered to our profession, such as damper
> > felt that is too firm, poor quality felts and cheap leather sold as
> > buckskin.  Imported European parts are mostly sold at outrageous prices.
> > My suggestions and complaints to suppliers have fallen on deaf ears.  The
> > responses have ranged from poor excuses ("Oh, the imported dampers were out
> > of stock, so we sent you the domestic [hard as rock] ones") to, more often,
> > deafening silence.  I am not in the business of being a consultant to
> > domestic suppliers who are unwilling to listen; I need to focus my energy
> > on trying to offer the highest level of work I can to my clients.
> >
> > I have taken matters into my own hands to search out better sources for
> > certain supplies.  I get most of my rebuilding supplies from Germany now. I
> > have not looked back.  The quality is superb and the price is good.  I am
> > NOT a supply house nor do I want to become one.  I only want decent
> > materials and the tools I need at a reasonable cost and I am happy to share
> > those benefits with others.
> >
> > Jurgen Goering
> >
> >
> > >Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 02:41:45 -0300
> > >From: "John Ross" <piano.tech@ns.sympatico.ca>
> > >Subject: Re: Bechstein Offset Screwdriver Order
> > >
> > >Hi Jurgen,
> > >Possibly, it could be suggested to Schaff, or Pianotek, that they should
> > >carry them.
> > >It sounds like a useful tool to have, and could be distributed through a
> > >supply house much easier.
> > >Regards,
> > >John M. Ross
> > >Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
> > >piano.tech@ns.sympatico.ca
> > >- ----- Original Message -----
> > >From: " J¸rgen Goering" <pianoforte@mail.island.net>
> > >To: <caut@ptg.org>
> > >Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 1:51 AM
> > >Subject: Bechstein Offset Screwdriver Order
> > >
> > >
> > >The Bechstein offset screwdriver seems to be difficult to get in North
> > >America.
> > >This tool is indispensable for regulating rocker arm capstans on grands as
> > >well as fastening screws in other tight spots.
> > >
> > >I am putting in an order for Bechstein offset screwdrivers directly from
> > >Germany.  The order will go out on Monday August 20.  Anyone interested in
> > >having a tool like this please contact me right away.
> > >
> > >J¸rgen Goering
> > >
> >
> >

--
Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
12970 Harlon Ave.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
216-226-3791
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net