[pianotech] Old upright

[Dean May]

That seems a little harsh, Wim. 

 

Duaine has become the list's favorite whipping boy, some deserved, some just
over the top. 

 

Personally, I think I could do a pretty decent rebuild on an upright action
for $5k.

 

Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359 

PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 

Terre Haute IN  47802

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of wimblees at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 12:00 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Old upright

 


 

Del has the right idea. We don't need to condemn the piano or make
judgments. Just give your best information and put it in their court. I
think its really bad form to say anything negative about a customers piano
no matter how much you fantasize about the flames licking the keybed. 

-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net <http://www.pianova.net/> 

Just remember, if they go for it, how much money you'll make.

One of my player rebuilds coming up was similar to your situation. The piano
action needed a complete rebuild (new hammers (mice), new dampers (mice),
new back checks (mice), new catcher felt (mice) basically just about
everything short of new strings, along with the player. The estimate was
$5,000. For sentimental value, they agreed to do it.

So, "Don't throw out the baby, just because the bath water it cold"

Duaine

Duaine

This is a problem we run across way too often. It's people like you who give
reputable piano technicians a bad name. First of all, if you can do all of
what you just described for only $5000, you must be working for virtually
nothing, or you work so fast that you think you're making money. And if
you're working that fast, I would question the quality of your work.. 

Second, sentiments aside, what did you tell the customer the piano will be
worth when you get done rebuilding it? If you told them it would be worth
anything near $5000, are you ready and willing to buy it from them for that
price? If not, then you're "ripping off" the customer. Without new strings
and a new finish, you're not doing a complete rebuild. All you're doing is
restoring the action and player system, and it will never sell for anything
close to $5000 in S. Louis, or anywhere else. 

This is the kind of attitude that doesn't sit well in the PTG. Perhaps
that's why you got the feeling that "we" don't respect you. 




Wim

 

  _____  

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