<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: Service Refusal</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> A couple of years ago I was called to tune a piano that the lady bought from a neighbor.  When I entered the house there was a nice black, early '70's Steinway 41˛ upright against the wall.  A welcome sight, but when I opened it I found that all of the tuning pins and strings were rusty.  Many strings were broken and their ends sticking out.  I told the lady that this piano couldnšt be tuned and explained to her why.  She asked how much it would cost for new strings and when I gave her my quote she said that she couldnšt afford that and would have her husband roll the piano out to the curb for the trash collectors.  I put my hands together to make a time-out signal and asked her how much she paid for the piano.  She said $200.00.  I told her Išd give her $200.00 for it and take it off her hands.  She was elated.   A year or so later, I had replaced the strings and tuning pins, tuned and regulated the piano and hauled it into my office where it sits today.  It looks really nice and plays very well. Ted Simmons Viera, Florida <BLOCKQUOTE> From: Farrell <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 18:38:47 -0400 To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Service Refusal </BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE>I had a first today. I went to an appointment and refused to tune a piano. 1908 Cable upright. The piano had the tubbiest/deadest bass strings I have ever heard, bass bridge was cracked and forward pins were migrating, dampers missing, half the hammers were bobbling, extremely rusty strings (home was subject to Hurricane Charlie damage), loose tuning pins, etc., etc. (need I say more?). I've never had to do it, but I refused to tune her piano. I've certainly seen similar and worse pianos, but the owner's have understood that the piano was toast (even when it was a family heirloom). This lady wanted the damn thing tuned. Amazing. I told her: "Sorry, call somebody else."   :-( What a bummer appointment. I don't have very many of those...... :-) Terry Farrell </BLOCKQUOTE> </BODY> </HTML>