<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1250"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2963" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>Hi Les</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>I used to run a store similar to what you described, though it was an NFP employment opportunity for the dev. handicapped.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>When we were offered a piano, regularly, I would always check it first, before we brought it into the store.  If it was crap, I'd refuse it, and not schlep it off on some unsuspecting, trusting customer.  </FONT><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>We also had a money back policy if people weren't happy ( credit actually, I think ) </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>In spite of the buyer beware admonition, sounds like your 'store' is pretty close to fraud. . .  is there a BBB in your area . . . perhaps a letter from a lawyer ( $25) would inspire some responsible trade practices.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>It seems so ironic that any time a discussion of prices surfaces on this list, members, who I dare to say are pretty responsible and ethical,  get all jittery in fear of the anti trust legislation, yet there are so many clowns and crooks out there that get away with really slimy activities.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>I'd like to say that this never happens in Canada, but I'd by lying . . .  we have our share of slimeballs too . . . . </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>In another area, the poor are being 'ripped-off' and that's in the financial services industry . . .  try to get any service or attention if you don't have much ($) to bring to the table . . . why shouldn't the middle / lower financial demographic ( poor ) get the benefit of the same good advice the 'rich' get . . . </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>If anything, they really need to know as many of the ideas and strategies that the rich have their accountants look after for them.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>I have some customers with great pianos, that never use them, and others who have eager kids trying to get a clunker to stay in tune . . . .It's frustrating to see this inequity . . .  sorry for the rant . . .  I guess you struck a sore spot.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>regards</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>Jim Kinnear</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=l-bartlett@sbcglobal.net href="mailto:l-bartlett@sbcglobal.net">Leslie Bartlett</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">'Pianotech List'</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, September 01, 2006 11:44 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> piano rip off</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=483294103-02092006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I have a new client who just spent $350 on a "piano" at a second hand store.  At least twelve pins were marked with an 'x' above to indicate they wouldn't hold a pitch. They were all in a line, cracked block?    But my question is are there any creative ways to get back at this store which refueses to refund money to the people.  They couldn't afford what they got.  I was able to get a Baldwin Acrosonic for $300, but they really didn't have the money to buy anything more. So I said I would help them move it.   I am just so hacked off that the poor continually get ripped off,and want to get even with the fools who sold them this POS.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=483294103-02092006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>les bartlett</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR> <P><FONT size=2>--<BR>No virus found in this outgoing message.<BR>Checked by AVG Free Edition.<BR>Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/435 - Release Date: 08/31/2006<BR></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>