<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> Hi Dave.  I’m still fairly new to the tuning world but not to music.  It’s weird how attached and unrealistic people become about their pianos and I was very guilty of this until I stepped into the piano tech world.  Concerning the negativity, I can see in a customer’s face when I have insulted their precious piano and recently have tried harder to find something positive to say in addition to the negative.  It’s a necessary part of being a salesperson, like it or not.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Because we have a ton of old uprights in my little town I’ve started doing consultations where the following occurs:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>visit with the owner about their musical needs<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>look over the instrument and make notes<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>provide a written summary of the items that need work, the approximate cost of each item, and the order in which they should be accomplished.  <o:p></o:p></li> </ol> <o:p> </o:p> Then I collect my consultation fee, go home, and let them think about it.  If they’re serious about the instrument, they’ll call you back.  If not, you’ve saved yourself from trying to resurrect a dying instrument.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Have a good one!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Michelle Smith<o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bastrop</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dave Smith Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 9:14 PM To: Pianotech Subject: Old upright-Honesty-Lost business= ok?<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> I spent almost an hour with a family with an 1917 old upright of questionable worth.  They had spent 200$ for it and had already developed a family heimloom type attachment.  "Fix it -  make it sing again - dont worry about the cost -  as long as we can pay for it in installments."  I believe the previous technician was maybe more salesman than tech.  He had told them that once he was done, they would need a rider on their home owners insurance policy. for the piano.  The previous tech had replaced a few broken strings, fixed a few broken hammer shanks and "TUNED" the piano  He also had suddenly left town, and they called me.  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> These were really nice people and I wanted to help them, but.......The piano was over one and a half notes flat, most hammers bobbled, blow distance was at least a half inch too much, etc.  Hammers hard as rocks, and dampers shot.  The sustain indicated that the sb was ok but marginal.  I tried to explain that the piano was old and tired, and that although I could certainly improve it, that it wasn t a good investment.    Needs hammers, dampers, regulation, key bushings, and probably  numerous yet undiagnosed action parts fixed.    They asked me why I was so negative, and I said that I just wanted to be realistic about the outcome after they spent all this money.  Recommended they consider a new or at least newer piano.    But their zeal won me over.  I agreed to do an estimate and come back later this week to to multiple pitch raises and a tuning, hopefully not breaking multiple strings in the process.   I received a call late this evening from the mother, saying that they had talked it over and decided that they thought I might be too negative on their piano.  I said I understood, and recommended that they call other techs in the area, including Mr Bondi for a second opinion.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> I would have liked to try to make this piano better, but I didnt want to disappoint.  Reputation over $$?    Can anyone out there make me feel either better or worse for "losing this business"?<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Dave Smith<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <st1:place w:st="on">SW FL</st1:place><o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </body> </html>