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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Good for you Brad, I'd like to think that I would
handle the situation just as you did.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>> should he refer a<BR>> client for a
rebuild, and risk losing the client to the rebuilder?<BR>> My answer:
Do what's in the customer's best interest, whether you<BR>> profit from it or
not.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Again, I agree with you. In this case, if the
rebuilder adheres to good ethical standards, when the rebuilt piano is
delivered, s/he will tell the piano owner something like "I know you've
had Fredrika service your piano in the past and I'm sure s/he will
continue to do a fine job for you". If the piano owner prefers to have the
rebuilder service the piano, well that's just the way things go, but IMHO, the
rebuilder should at least open the door for the original technician to resume
servicing the piano. If the rebuilder doesn't do that, I would then have the
question of what other shady practices does this rebuilder engage
in?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>----- Original Message ----- </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>> I'm all wound up on this, and wonder if you've
had similar experiences.<BR>> <BR>> Recently evaluated a 1907 Steinway A
for a customer who wished to sell it.<BR>> An associate of mine discussed
with me, and decided to call a 'wheeler<BR>> dealer' fast talking guy who
brokers Steinways.<BR>> The guy got me on the phone and tried everything he
could to get me to<BR>> sway this customer into selling the piano for xx$ and
you get xxx$ in<BR>> the process, etc.<BR>> <BR>> I literally had to
fight him to say that my position concerning this<BR>> customer was to be HIS
advocate, and regardless of the fast commission<BR>> dangling there....I WAS
NOT GOING to use the trusted relationship in<BR>> the way this guy
wanted.<BR>> <BR>> Really bothered me, the way this guy tried to pressure
me into using<BR>> my position to persuade this customer in an advantageous
way. I'm all<BR>> for making money from the position I hold in the piano
industry;<BR>> networking; contacts, etc. ....but if a customer is paying me
for<BR>> honest advice, and I accept the gig, my allegiance is to
that<BR>> customer, period!<BR>> <BR>> It's been a month or two since
this happened, and I don't know if the<BR>> piano is sold yet or
not. I did provide the customer with several<BR>> websites where
he could sell his piano, and a convenient PDF report<BR>> that he could email
to prospective buyers.<BR>> <BR>> I know a few people who would certainly
not have lost a moment's sleep<BR>> over this, and would have done
immediately what this guy on the phone<BR>> wanted.<BR>> I knew in my gut
that I was doing the right thing, and I'm not trying<BR>> to get points for
being some kind of naive person.<BR>> <BR>> My feeling is that I should
not have to steal from other people to<BR>> provide for my family, not for
$50 and not for $5000.<BR>> <BR>> Recently, another tech asked me about
his dilemma...should he refer a<BR>> client for a rebuild, and risk losing
the client to the rebuilder?<BR>> My answer: Do what's in the
customer's best interest, whether you<BR>> profit from it or not.<BR>>
<BR>> End of Sermon on the Laptop. Amen.<BR>> <BR>> --<BR>>
Best Regards,<BR>> Brad Smith, RPT<BR>> </FONT><A
href="http://www.SmithPiano.com"><FONT face=Arial
size=2>www.SmithPiano.com</FONT></A><BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>> II III II
III II III II III II III II III<BR>> </FONT><A
href="mailto:brad@smithpiano.com"><FONT face=Arial
size=2>brad@smithpiano.com</FONT></A><BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>>
603-494-4147<BR>></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>