This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Thank you for your well thought out advice. One of the things I think I = have learned from all the input, is that one may feel a bit safer = commenting on the value of a run-of-the-mill 1952 Wurlitzer spinet, but = as the piano gets newer and more valuable, more research (both on the = piano condition/modifications and cost of similar pianos) is = appropriate. Terry Farrell =20 ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Randy Rush=20 To: pianotech post=20 Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 1:43 AM Subject: Re: Piano Fiasco Terry, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you here, and sort of line = up with some other comments that have been made. =20 Why was she asking you point blank the value of the piano? She must = have had some second thoughts or concerns about what she paid. I = personally think that we should never shoot from the hip by giving a = value without doing some research, and that is going to cost the = customer a few bucks for the trouble. The value of a piano is a slippery thing. It can depend on the local = cost of living, the economic climate, what the dealer paid for it, who = else might be waiting around the corner to pay the asking price. What = you decide is a value, even with some research, may vary quite a bit = from what the next technician (as honest as you are) may come up with. I would advise several things about valuing pianos. One, always use = an Ancott for reference, and ask around to any dealers or salespeople = you personally know to get as much info as you can. Two, always offer = the customer a range of values, high and low, not a fixed price. = Sometimes, if it is determined that a customer has paid in the higher = end of my price range, I tell them that. What this means is they did = not get "taken", they paid in the high end of what I feel is an = acceptable range. You say there was no other reasonable thing to do but tell her, but I = disagree. You simply can say "Since I am not a dealer, or don't know = the precise value without looking into it, and I would be glad to do = that for you for my regular fee". The fact that you were off in your = perception of current MSRP, based on what you remembered from last year, = bears this approach out. If you are commenting on piano values without an Ancott, you are not = using all the tools available to you. They are not that expensive for = what they give you back. I have an arrangement here with another tech: = we split the cost of an annual subscription. He takes the fall/winter = book and I take the spring/summer one. That keeps me current enough for = our purposes. Of course, they are not the be all and end all of this aspect of our = business, but they sure help. Randy Rush, RPT Seattle >No. This customer specifically asked me what I thought the piano was = worth. >And I told her. There was no other reasonable choice in this = situation, and >I would do it again. >Terry Farrell ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/9c/a6/f6/f6/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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