<HTML>In a message dated 8/25/01 10:35:01 AM Central Daylight Time, jformsma@dixie-net.com (John M. Formsma) writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">He has violated the PTG Code of Ethics--anyone can read that on the back of the membership card. This technician should not be allowed to use PTG's name and/or logo if he continues to do poor work. If he is allowed, then PTG as a whole suffers. </BLOCKQUOTE> There must be a blue moon this moth because once again, I am in complete agreement with both Jim and Gina and thank them for their comments and especially Gina for her contribution to the disciplinary code. The problem with the above opinion is that the person who did the work probably thinks he did a good job.  The same with the Steinway grand that came up here to a recording studio.  The person who did the work thinks he did a "great" job and the lady who paid him $$,$$$ for it thought it was fine too, until she sent it up to her son, the recording engineer. Now he is holding the "bag", so to speak because he has an expensive piano that is unfit for use and that no technician will touch except to assess for how bad it really is and to recommend only that it be completely remanufactured. This is not a matter for PTG Membership to handle.  It is between the customer and the technician who did the *allegedly* poor work.  If the two parties disagree, then it is between their attorneys and if they cannot resolve the matter, the courts.  The only way any technicians, be they PTG Members or not, should be involved is if they are asked to give a professional assessment or appraisal for which they are paid a fee.  They may also be asked to give a deposition or testify to their findings in court. Only if after all of this a judgment is made against the technician might there be grounds for PTG action based on its Code of Ethics.  Otherwise, PTG, whether it be the local Chapter, Committees or the Home Office has no business getting involved with the complaint.  If it did, it would be putting itself in jeopardy, siding with a technician whose *opinion* is that this work is substandard. Terry, the most you can and should do is to write a detailed assessment, take photos that support your findings and charge for your time and effort.  If the customer does not want to pay for what that work is worth, DROP IT!!!   Mind you, I am not defending this technician nor disagreeing with your opinion of the work.  Anyone who does such poor work will dig his own grave.   Even if he continues to botch more pianos, the word will get out and his enterprise will be self limiting.  The piano will end up being junked, sold or traded at salvage value.  If there eventually is a technician who can get it for nearly nothing who wants to start over with it, fine.  Otherwise, it is old enough to be put to its final rest anyway.  Cast iron frames and cut out soundboard make great shop decor.  Old cases make great flower boxes.   (Ask Conrad, he knows.) Suggest to the lady that she take a look at some of those nice new Baldwins that are going for such attractive prices. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin</HTML>