[pianotech] Old upright

[Matthew Todd]

Wim,
 
As part of the PTG code, it states we are to put the best interests of our customer first (I can't remember the exact wording).  It "sounds" as if Duaine was doing just that.  Sometimes I feel that are unwilling to do the work that "seems" like a waste, but we are satisfying the customer.
 
Plus, you cannot put a price tag on an item that, to the customer, is priceless.  Why would that customer want to sell their piano anyway?


TODD PIANO WORKS 
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician 
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com

--- On Tue, 4/7/09, wimblees at aol.com <wimblees at aol.com> wrote:

From: wimblees at aol.com <wimblees at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Old upright
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 4:00 AM








 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
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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