[pianotech] who pays?

[Douglas Gregg]

Wim,
Next time if you have to ship strings, use the flat rate boxes from
the USPS. The flat rate applies to all 50 states including Alaska and
Hawaii. The strings would have gone for about $15.00 if you bundled
them very tightly. I use electrical tape as well as a few tie wraps to
make the smallest package possible that won't explode en route (:-).

Too bad about the mix up. I know it is time consuming to measure
strings but it does usually eliminate SNAFUs like this. Or at least do
a rubbing with roll paper and a crayon but that might not even
guarantee that Mapes will not screw up the order. I have not had the
greatest experiences with them.

Doug Gregg
Classic Piano Doc

From: tnrwim at aol.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] who pays?
Message-ID: <8CF7B89B00EA161-89C-4A16 at Webmail-m120.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"




I ordered the strings directly from Mapes. After the fact I asked them
if they had the exact model for each serial number, and they don't. So
all they could go by was that I ordered a set for a 1098, without
researching if that was the right scale for that serial numbered
piano. This is the second time this had happened with Mapes. Although
they require a serial number, they don't check to see if the model
they are given is right for that serial number.

Usually I send the strings in. But one of the advantages, (I thought),
of  working on Steinway pianos is that parts, including bass strings,
are pretty universal. But I am finding out, the hard way, that this is
not true. So the lesson learned is that I need to send in the strings,
regardless of who the manufacturer is

God, I hate that Murphy.

Wim .