[pianotech] (no subject)

[Kendall Ross Bean]

Perhaps I missed something, but it is not at all clear to me why many seem
to be automatically assuming that the communication from David Ilvedson's
customer below is soliciting some sort of fraudulent behavior.

I simply don't have have enough information to make that assessment. 

I don't know, for instance, what preceded this communication, or if the
customer had any basis (like a prior appraisal or valuation of some sort on
the piano in question) for the figures he is quoting. Perhaps he also has
some figures from his accountant that he is trying to work with. I mean, he
does say "If the appraisal was [this figure], or if the appraisal was
higher..." which to me seems to acknowledge that he doesn't assume what the
appraised value will be.

Perhaps David Ilvedson could cast some more light on the circumstances
surrounding this "snapshot" he has given us.

David Love commented in a recent post on this particular situation, "I do
appraisals but I don't fill in numbers on request.  The appraisal must be
based in some kind of reality." I think most of us here would subscribe to
that.

But to me it is not at all clear that that is what this customer is trying
to do.

I can see ways that a person writing this could be legitimately and legally
trying to minimize the amount of taxes he has to pay. Don't we all try to do
that?

If I understood the initial post correctly, David Ilvedson simply commented
that he didn't see how a person selling a piano (rather than donating it in
its entirety) could also claim a tax deduction on it. It seems some are
assuming that that is not possible, but I'm not at all sure that is the
case.

It also seems that some are assuming, from this limited communication, that
the customer is trying to tell the appraiser what they would like the piano
appraised at. Like I say, based on the limited "snapshot" we have been
given, that is not at all clear to me. I would need more information before
deciding "not to touch this with a thirty-nine foot pole".

In recent years, I have become a lot more careful about assuming that I know
a person's intent.

Like I say, maybe I am missing something here that others can plainly see. 

(Wouldn't be the first time! ;-) )

Perhaps someone could fill me in.

Sincerely~

Kendall Ross Bean

~PianoFinders   

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Nossaman [mailto:rnossaman at cox.net] 
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 1:39 PM
To: David Ilvedson; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] (no subject)

David Ilvedson wrote:
> 
> 
> I have a customer who emailed me the following:
> 
> "Thanks for your reply. Because of how taxes work, if we could get a 
> written appraisal on the piano of $20,000.00-$25,000.00 we could sell 
> the piano for less and then "write off" the remainder. For example, if 
> the appraisal was $20,000.00 we would sell the piano for about 
> $15,000.00 and if the appraisal was higher we would sell it for even less.
"
> 
> Does that sound right?   I don't see how they can write off a personal 
> sale...????
>  
> 
> David Ilvedson, RPT

Why not appraise it at $40k, and offer to haul it off for them?

I'd wish them luck with whoever their appraiser finally turns out to be,
draw the drapes, turn out the lights, and check the caller ID before
answering the phone for a while.
Ron N