Dishonest Dealers

[PAT A RALPH]

Robert,

Having been to LV for our MITA, Int. conventions, I don't remember whether
any of your TV stations have a consumer hot line or something similar where
a person having a problem with a dealer like this airs it to the TV station.
They go out and try to investiage the company.  It definitely gets them
advertising and if they don't respond favorably, they definitely should
loose business as people realize they are not reputable.

Ken Gerler

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Goodale <rrg@nevada.edu>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 1999 11:21 PM
Subject: Dishonest Dealers


> I have come to learn something that is very disturbing to me and I would
like to hear some feedback on other
> experiences.  We have a dealer here in town who is "ethically challenged".
I have heard many horse manure stories about
> this outfit but this one takes the cake.  I guess it has been going on for
some time but it is new to me.
>
> The process goes like this:  Ibach pianos are imported to the U.S. from
China and sent to this dealer.  Ibach, (for
> those who don't know), used to be a reputable German manufacturer who is
no longer in business.  Nevertheless with the
> German sounding name and history the dealer has chosen to pass these
instruments off as German.  Oh but wait... the
> story gets better!  Rumor has it, (from what I would consider to be a
likely reliable source), that this dealer has been
> removing the "Made in China" words off the plate and replacing it with
"Made in Germany".   (I'll pause for a minute so
> you can finish being ill...)
>
> Apparently this has been known for some time by other dealers ever since
some used pianos started showing up as
> trade-ins.  From what I am told this dealer has been doing these kinds of
practices for many years.  The owner is pretty
> darn good at getting around the law, (sort of an amateur law expert- and
very good at it), and typically is able to tie
> up and drag out any accusations so that it becomes more trouble than it is
worth to pursue.  Since there is no longer a
> German Ibach there is no authoritative company to report it to.  The
Chinese could care less as long as they are selling
> pianos.  I have also heard that this dealer has changed serial numbers on
older used pianos to make them appear
> younger.  To what extent and quantity all of this is going on I couldn't
say.
>
> I'm certain that this must violate all kinds of laws.  As far as I'm
concerned this is no different then a used car
> dealer rolling back the speedometer on an older car or calling a Yugo a
Volkswagon.  As mentioned however, no one seems
> willing to challenge the guy.  I guess he is just to crafty.
>
> I would like to make it clear that I have never personally seen one of
these modified instruments.  Being relatively new
> to the area I simply haven't had the pleasure.  I did visit the dealer
once however and the air stenched of B.S.  Other
> than some used product I didn't see too much on the floor that was not
Korean or Chinese, primarily Chinese bearing
> various names.  Perhaps as many as a hundred units.  Some were those
lovely things in loud colored polyester like red
> and green.  I couldn't wait to find the door.  At least for the moment I
suppose that there isn't much that can be done
> except wait until trouble strikes which I figure it eventually will.  At
least I know where I will be NOT be referring
> potential buyers.
>
> I am curious to hear any other such stories or experiences.  Perhaps
others have found ways to create embarrassing
> attention to such dealers?  Let's chat a bit about this.
>
> Rob Goodale, RPT
> Las Vegas, NV.
>