Hi Michelle, I, too, have had to "comdemn" some pianos.  "It was my grandmothers' wedding present, or some such, but some pianos just can't be "given" a new life.  BUT, if the pianos in your area are common, some judgement needs to be employed. If you can do just enough to "get it going", everyone benefits.  I used to live on an island in Washington state where this was very common.  Some were worth "fixing", (just get it to play) and some were just too much.  It is all up to you how much you need business, how much can be done to this piano, and how much the intstrument means to the family. It sounds like this is very common out there, so you have to take each piano as it happens.  I never made enough money on such dead instruments to try to sell the job, but I'm hoping my education to releive their burden and invest in a newer (or rental) instrument might be a better choice.  Especially, I mean, especially, if their child is starting in piano lessons.  This is where I would "draw the line".  Sometimes, I would come in and they'd already refinished it and it looked really nice, but then I would open the lid and "oooooooh" no good!  When I started piano lessons (waaaaaaay back) we had an old upright, but after 6 months of lessons, my folks realized that I was "gifted" enough.  They didn't get me a Steinway or something good, but did get a better piano that "worked".  Soon thereafter we were blessed with "baby-sitting" a Baldwin grand where I was able to really begin to play better. Now that I'm in a university setting, I'm realizing that I have a lot of practicing to do!!!!  These kids are playing stuff that I was pretty good at when I was 18, but "lost" a lot of my "chops"!     The main thought of my ramble is to learn how to weigh off what the piano can do, what the owner wants, and what means they may have to invest in it or get something better.  Sometimes, you have to fish or cut bait. Best of luck to you and I know how it goes.....just use good judgement and don't take advantage of any situation for profit. Best, Paul <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=40%>Stephen Grattan <lostchordclinic@ameritech.net> Sent by: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org 04/10/2008 03:55 PM <table border> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=59%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>To</div> <td>Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>Re: Clunker pianos - what do you do?</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> Michelle,   I also have a simple rule-of-thumb.  I give the customer- in writing, a full assessment of the piano, its current value and its potential value - then let the customer decide.  I have had many cases where I have given the customer dozens of reasons to junk it and they will say "It was Grandmas - I want to do it"  The money is green, they have made an informed decision, I have full-filled my obligations and I like to pay my bills- so I do it.  Have a great day!   Steve Grattan Lost Chord Clinic ----- Original Message ---- From: Andrew and Rebeca Anderson <anrebe@sbcglobal.net> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 4:18:32 PM Subject: RE: Clunker pianos - what do you do? Michelle, I have a simple rule-of-thumb.  If the cost of my work far exceeds the potential value of the piano I refuse to take the job. Andrew Anderson