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<DIV><FONT size=2>Dale:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I agree with you but I do think it is important to =
be as
thorough as possible in advising the customer if the cost of
rebuilding exceeds the completed value of the piano, or if the general =
quality
of the instrument doesn't justify the cost. If the client has =
other
motivations, such as sentimental value, then they may go ahead
anyway. I have done several such jobs. But in =
order for
the client to make an intelligent decision, they should know all of the =
relevant
information. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>David Love</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=Erwinspiano@AOL.COM
href="mailto:Erwinspiano@AOL.COM">Erwinspiano@AOL.COM</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> December 15, 2001 5:21 =
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Bridging the cap?/ =
Restoration feasibility</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT size=2>In a =
message dated
12/15/2001 7:13:40 AM Pacific Standard Time, <A
href="mailto:Wimblees@AOL.COM">Wimblees@AOL.COM</A> writes: =
<BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px =
solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"
TYPE="CITE">Subj:<B>Re: Bridging the cap</B> <BR>Date:12/15/2001 =
7:13:40 AM
Pacific Standard Time <BR>From: <A
href="mailto:Wimblees@AOL.COM">Wimblees@AOL.COM</A> <BR>Sender:
<A
href="mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org">owner-pianotech@ptg.org</A>
<BR>Reply-to: <A =
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>
<BR>To: <A
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> =
<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>In
a message dated 12/15/01 1:49:51 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: <BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff =
2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"
TYPE="CITE">I have done refurbishings on a couple family heirloom =
spinets
for $2,000+ - refinish, refurbish action, etc. - make 'em look =
like new
and play as good as they can - VERY happy customers.
</BLOCKQUOTE><BR> Wim Blees writes <BR>From my point of =
view, and
perhaps there are others who have 20 plus years experience, when I =
find a
piano such as an "heirloom" spinet, or Phil's Howard grand, I can't, =
in good
conscious, recommend the customer spend the money I would need to =
charge to
refurbish the piano. $2000 to refinish, restore the action, tune, =
regulate,
etc., is just not enough. Maybe Terry can afford to do it for that =
price,
but I can't. By the same token, to do what Phil wants to do to =
that
Howard will be in the $12,000 - $15,000 range. Maybe he can do it =
for much
less, but I'm sorry, I personally can't justify charging that kind =
of money
on that kind of instrument. <BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial =
color=#000000
size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"></BLOCKQUOTE><BR> Wim
<BR> YOU DON'T HAVE TO JUSTIFY IT THE CLIENT DOES.
=
<BR> &nb=
sp;You
are operating on really good ethics and intentions (here =
it comes)
BUT whereas I approach potential projects as you do there are cases =
where it
is not my business to tell the client how to spend their money. =
<BR> I
can advise them yes. If they understand that the outcome will be less =
than
might be desired with no guarantees and they want to finish and string =
grandmas Betsy Ross spinet then the decision is whether we want to =
take on
such a job or refer it. I may think it's dumb to do so but my =
opinion
doesn't count unless they like it. <BR> I recently =
did a
very complete remanufacture on a 1905 ornate upright. =
Originally
well made but completely dilapidated. I explained the realties as to =
worth and
investment as you previously stated. If the outcome can be =
assured and
the client is not hung up on the investment argument, which Terry was =
talking
about earlier), then A decision can be made. Hey you can fix any thing =
if you
invest enough time and money. <BR> In this case the =
client
got full belly package,case and veneer reconstruction , re- finish and =
new
keys with ivory. Her beloved Victorian upright and child hood =
friend
restored. Don't sell emotional attachment down the river. What's the =
piano
worth now? who cares if she doesn't and she got a really great =
outcome.
Value is ascribed in different ways by us all. =
<BR> My
point is that there are individual situations where the client =
will want
to proceed after all our usual initial warnings of lack of financial
feasibility, tonal outcomes and other prudent counsel. =
<BR> It is
our job to give good counsel but it really is the clients right to =
spend there
money how they will . If we don't wish to take in a certain job that's =
our
free choice. I hope you can see where I,m coming from. <BR> My =
Two Cents
worth-Dale Erwin =
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