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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yes Terry. If the repairs reach the point that it
is advisable to invest in another instrument, I always advise the client of that
fact. That way I gain credibility in the clients eye and they can make
that decision. I find that most people have enough money savvy to make
a wise choice. I never try to push them either way. If they ask for my input I
make an honest answer even if cost me a job. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gerald McCleskey RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
href="mailto:mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com">Farrell</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> Thursday, April 10, 2008 9:16
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Clunker pianos - what do you
do?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Interesting comments on this topic. IMHO, one important
item not addressed is to add up the cost of bringing the clunker to the target
playing level and evaluate how that compares to replacement with a late-model
piano. So very often, a $500 to $1K 20 year old Kimball (or whatever)
console or studio (as much as I hate these things) will make for a much better
playing/sounding instrument (okay, a stretch to describe it as an
instrument...) than putting those same funds into the old clunker. IMHO, $1K
worth of bandaids on an old clunker = an old worn-out piano that plays
marginally better, but will still likely cost $300 every time it is tuned due
to repairs on hammer shanks, unglued jack flanges, breaking strings, etc.,
etc., etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Not always, but very often.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><FONT
size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Thanks
to everyone who has responded to my e-mail. You’re really helping me
sort out my thoughts on this issue.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">As
Paul stated, sometimes there is still life in these pianos but very often
the owner is expecting a miracle. I guess it comes from our society of
instant gratification. The piano tuner is supposed to make the piano
work again just like the appliance repairman makes the dishwasher work
again. Instead I sometimes have to be the bearer of bad news.
Repairs are costly and many people here just can’t afford it. I want
people to be happy and instead we both get frustrated.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Concerning
passing these pianos off to less experienced techs….I’m it! Ha
Ha Ha! The older gentleman who owns the local music shop and tunes
pianos can’t see well enough to do the repairs so he’s passing ALL of his
repair work to me. Most Austin techs are unwilling to make the drive
so if I don’t fix them they won’t get fixed. Ironically, this is why I
got into this business in the first place. I saw a need in our
community and I jumped in. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Thanks
to everyone for listening to my mental wanderings.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Have
a super Thursday!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Michelle</SPAN></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>