<HTML>In a message dated 12/15/01 1:49:51 PM !!!First Boot!!!, mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I have done refurbishings on a couple family heirloom spinets for $2,000+ - refinish, refurbish action, etc. - make 'em look like new and play as good as they can - VERY happy customers. </BLOCKQUOTE> From my point of view, and perhaps there are others who have 20 plus years experience, when I find a piano such as an "heirloom" spinet, or Phil's Howard grand, I can't, in good conscious, recommend the customer spend the money I would need to charge to refurbish the piano. $2000 to refinish, restore the action, tune, regulate, etc., is just not enough. Maybe Terry can afford to do it for that price, but I can't.  By the same token, to do what Phil wants to do to that Howard will be in the $12,000 - $15,000 range. Maybe he can do it for much less, but I'm sorry, I personally can't justify charging that kind of money on that kind of instrument. There have been many times when I've turned down a job because I couldn't justify charging what it would take to "fix" the piano. But then found out later that the customer found someone who charged less, and made the customer happy. Perhaps what I should do in the future, instead of just turning down project like that, is find younger, less experienced technicians, but who do admirable work, to take on refurbishing these old relics. It give them the experience and money they need, and frees up my time to take on other project that I feel justified taking money for. Does that sound kind of "uppity?" Or are there other out there who feel the same say? Wim </HTML>