What would YOU do? (followup)

[Clyde Hollinger]

Friends:

I spent most of my spare moments yesterday thinking about this guy. 
There are all kinds in this world.  I agree with those of you who are
puzzled about why it matters so much when the piano has been totally
neglected for the last 10-15 years.  

Personally I find it hard to respond to an inquiry in any way that is
not courteous and very honest.  If he calls again, I will probably tell
him that I believe both of us will find the relationship unsettling and
I recommend he call the next person on his list.  I'm still debating
mentioning that I seriously doubt he will find ANYone he will be totally
happy with, because none of us are perfect. Sorry if this comes as a
surprise to anyone who thinks s/he is!  :-)

Got a real bang out of Larry Fisher's response!  :-))

Clyde (again!)

Clyde Hollinger wrote:
> 
> Friends:
> 
> Last Saturday a man called me.  He just moved into the area from a large
> city and is looking for an RPT to service his Kawai console, which was
> purchased new 10-15 years ago and hasn't seen a tuner or technician
> since.  He's going down the phonebook listings, I gather.  He sounds
> like a most exacting person.  From his descriptions I suggested the
> piano may need less than $200 of work, including pitchraise, tuning,
> thorough cleaning and a few minor things.
> 
> I am used to the normal questions from first-time clients, but this
> gentleman suggested he may want to meet me first and perhaps come and
> see my shop (I don't have any; I work out of my car).  I could
> understand that if I were attempting to sell him a major rebuilding job
> for megabucks.  He already told me he won't call one other person back
> because the RPT made him feel uncomfortable.
> 
> I expect him to call again.  Would you take this job?  Is this type of
> scrutiny common in some areas?  In my 18 years of business I never saw
> anything like it.  I have visions of him watching my every move and
> checking every cranny of the piano's interior with a white cloth to see
> if I was thorough enough.
> 
> I will appreciate being enlightened.  I know not every place in the
> world is as trusting as Lancaster County, and I am careful never to
> betray that trust.  Thank you.
> 
> Clyde Hollinger, RPT
> Lititz, PA, USA