<div><br clear="all">My customers get a "free" estimate of needed repairs/adjustments and my opinion of whether the piano is worth doing those things to whenever I'm called to tune. </div> <div>If the piano is untunable I explain to them why using the piano as my example since most people don't understand the terminology we use even when we simplify. I collect for a service call and leave.</div> <div>My ethics remain with the person who is PAYING me as long as I am not asked to vouch for anything about the piano that is untrue, dishonest or deceitful. I will tell them so and make suggestions from how to market their piano to how to transfer it to the landfill.</div> <div>I do not judge the quality of the type(spinet, console, studio, old upright) or piano make (Old American, 80's American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese) unless I'm asked to do so or in a few other rare cases. One example, I was called to rectify a problem caused by a tooner and while doing so the conversation turned to the girl's progress in piano. She had been taking lessons and playing 8 years and seemed to have plateaued, the mother was asking if perhaps I knew another teacher. I suggested that perhaps it was the piano rather than the teacher, she asked what I meant, so I explained that the piano a Wurlitzer spinet was an OK instrument for a beginner but for a Freshman in high school who had been playing for 8 years it could be holding her back. I went on to explain the difference between a spinet and direct blow action (a grand was out of the question) and offered my services to advise when and if they found a more suitable instrument. </div> <div>I don't do that often but I do ascertain the customer's use, abilities and expectations.</div> <div>Ultimately if I get too strident about what I think they should do to their piano and they don't want to there are others who they can call to take my place. It's their home, their piano I make suggestions based on my knowledge and experience but in the end they have to want to and be able to afford to</div> <div> </div> <div>Mike </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><br>-- <br>Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.<br>Michael Magness<br>Magness Piano Service<br>608-786-4404<br><a href="http://www.IFixPianos.com">www.IFixPianos.com</a><br> email <a href="mailto:mike@ifixpianos.com">mike@ifixpianos.com</a> </div>