supplier boycott

[John Ross]

Hi,
Expecting suppliers to attend, every seminar or conference, is an 
unrealistic expectation. They have to make a profit.
Putting the shoe on the other foot, which one of us would like
to travel even 100 miles to do 2 pianos? However if there are 5
it makes it worth our while, and any mileage charge can be split.
Quality tools are available, at Renner for example, at a quality 
price. I have bought some, and the extra expense is warranted as
they seemed to do a particular job more efficiently.
But once again the supplier has to make a profit. They can
only carry what you realistically expect to sell.
Schaff has always replied to my queries, and has given me good service.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
piano.tech@ns.sympatico.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Sturm" <fssturm@unm.edu>
To: <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2001 12:02 PM
Subject: supplier boycott


> I'm going to weigh in here on behalf of suppliers. I am very grateful
> to have the quality and variety of parts that is available to me today.
> Thinking back twenty years, the increase in quality and variety is
> amazing. Yes, I have quarrels with quality on many occasions. But look
> at price versus finish. Usually a few minutes with a file or grinder
> will turn the offending tool into something useful. Or I could spend
> another $50 for a truly "finished" tool. Some times I prefer to finish
> my own, some times I prefer to pay the price. I like to have the cheaper
> one available. Similarly with parts. 
> I do agree with the notion of seeking other suppliers when quality
> products aren't available. Would love to see more reliable damper felt
> myself, for instance. But the notion of boycotting and getting angry
> when a supplier chooses not to attend a seminar conference - well, I
> just don't find that kind of thing very useful. Our suppliers are pretty
> responsive - give them a call and talk to them if you don't like what
> they offer. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. And it costs a lot of
> money to send personnel and merchandise across the country - and put the
> personnel up in hotel rooms and feed them. Which translates into higher
> prices.
> Just my 2 cents worth.
> Regards,
> Fred Sturm
> University of New Mexico
>