Availability of quality tools and supplies

[Robert Edwardsen]

Hi Paul,

I think a boycott sounds a little extreme but competition is good and might
make Schaff and Pianotek realize that profit is not the purpose of trade
shows; it is building a relationship with their cliental.  I will certainly
buy what I can from the exhibitors that take the time and make the effort to
come to our Conference in Geneva before looking elsewhere.

Rob Edwardsen



----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Kupelian" <kupelian@Oswego.EDU>
To: "Jürgen Goering" <pianoforte@mail.island.net>
Cc: <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 10:45 PM
Subject: Re: Availability of quality tools and supplies


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
> >
>
>