<HTML><BODY> <div>List,</div> <div> </div> <div>This might be considered a cautionary tale about what we all put out there on the WWW.</div> <div> </div> <div>I tuned my first piano of the week on Monday.  It was a pretty typical job--Yamaha upright, not tuned for several years.  30 cent pitch raise, but it tuned up nicely.</div> <div> </div> <div>I yak away with the customer, explain a few things, finish up, present bill.  </div> <div> </div> <div>The lady,whose English is not very good, says "I was referred by Joseph, my tenant.  He says I just give paper and tuning free."  </div> <div> </div> <div>I say "WHAT!  What piece of paper is that?  I don't work for free!."</div> <div> </div> <div>She pulls out a piece of paper, which is the "gift certificate" page of my website printed out on a sheet of copy paper.  Below is the text.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>De<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-default-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-greek-font-family: Garamond; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Garamond; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; language: EN">ar ____________________________ ,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></div> <div> <div class=MsoNormal style="mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-default-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-greek-font-family: Garamond; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Garamond; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; language: EN">_______________________________ has chosen to help you promote harmony in the universe!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>The bearer of this gift certificate is entitled to one piano tuning.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Please call 650-224-3560, or E-mail me at Velopresto@aol.com to arrange the time and date of your service.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></div> <div class=MsoNormal style="mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-default-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-greek-font-family: Garamond; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Garamond; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; language: EN"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></div> <div class=MsoNormal style="mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-default-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-greek-font-family: Garamond; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Garamond; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; language: EN"></SPAN> </div> <div class=MsoNormal style="mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-default-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; mso-greek-font-family: Garamond; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Garamond; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; language: EN"></SPAN> </div> <div class=MsoNormal style="mso-pagination: none">I don't see where it says "coupon for free piano tuning."  I can see where there might be some confusion as to the way the gift certificate works, but I don't understand how anyone can be oblivious enough to expect that this entitles them to my services for free.  And I think if I was going to redeem this "coupon" I might first ask the person who would be doing the work if this was indeed a "free" tuning.</div> </div> <div style="CLEAR: both"> </div> <div style="CLEAR: both">I got very angy with her, and with the person who suggested that this might be a free tuning, and with the fact that she waited until I had done the work before she presented the "coupon."</div> <div style="CLEAR: both"> </div> <div style="CLEAR: both">Needless to say, I've put a disclaimer on the gift certificate on my website.  </div> <div style="CLEAR: both"> </div> <div style="CLEAR: both">I told her I'd take some responsibility for the confusion, and that she could send me half my fee.  I anticipate getting nothing from her.  </div> <div style="CLEAR: both"> </div> <div style="CLEAR: both">Thanks for letting me vent,</div> <div style="CLEAR: both"> </div> <div style="CLEAR: both">Dave<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> </div> <div class="AOLPromoFooter"> <hr style="margin-top:10px;" /> <a href="http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615326657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaol%2Ecom%2Fnewaol" target="_blank"><b>Check out the new AOL</b></a>. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.<br /> </div> </BODY></HTML>