ethics thing

[Farrell]

If you wanted to, being that she had the interest in tuning the piano prior to selling, you could point out the piano's other needs. Otherwise, no I don't think it is really your/our place to say anything if she doesn't ask.

Just last week I went to a service call on a 1950 Betsy Ross wannabe spinet (she thought it was originally bought at Sears). The only reason she called was because some keys were "dead". 25% of the hammer centers were froze up. The piano also had plastic flanges everywhere. Several were broke. She complained of notes "ringing on". Half the plastic elbows had been replaced. I recommended to her to replace the piano. After a brief discussion of repair costs, she fairly quickly understood the wisdom of that course of action. Then she went on to tell me about how she paid $350 for the piano two years ago and wanted to sell it for at least that much.

I bit my tongue, collected my minimum service call fee, and forced a smile on my way out..... :-(

Terry Farrell
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Leslie Bartlett 
  To: 'Pianotech List' 
  Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 7:21 PM
  Subject: ethics thing


  A lady wanted me to tune her kimball console prior to selling it.  She tried to sell it to "some guy" who rents pianos, but he said he really had too many.......... 

  Several dead bass strings, bass dampers buzzing, and enough rust on the strings which was not superficial that I was very hesitant to tune it.   Got it done, she having left, and left me a key to get out.   Is it my place to tell her what she has, or just stay away and hope it implodes before anyone else gets it?
  les bartlett
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