<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2523" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV>A few years ago, I had invited a technician to join the local Guild chapter.  The following incident caused him to be barred from entrance into the Guild.  </DIV> <DIV>The tech was hired to look at a S&S grand at our store.  We don't sell new Steinways, but had several used ones for sale.  The customer didn't like any of them, so they went to the Steinway dealer to look at new ones.  He was asked to evaluate one of the pianos there.  Without removing the action, he looked it over and declared it suitable for his customer.  The customer paid him for his services.  Later, he approached the salesperson and asked if there might be some spiff for bringing in his customer.  His reasoning was that our store (not Steinway franchise dealer) was going to give him one, so would they offer him one as well?  It wasn't arm twisting, but he did get a spiff from the dealer.  Another tech (Guild member) was present for the sale at the dealer.  When he found that this tech had received pay from both dealer and customer, he used his influence to have this tech barred from membership.</DIV> <DIV>Paul McCloud</DIV> <DIV>San Diego</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=sarah@graphic-fusion.com href="mailto:sarah@graphic-fusion.com">Sarah Fox</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 12/24/2004 7:29:21 AM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Piano Finder Fee</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi Terry,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>My Wissner was located through a third party who supposedly wanted a 10% finder's fee.  It turns out that the "real" fee he was trying to swing for himself (by lying to both buyer and seller) was much, much higher -- something like 50% over the seller's price.  (In the end, the deal didn't happen the way he had hoped.)  Anyway, 10% was considered fair in NYC for a deal in which the finder didn't really have to do any more than to put two parties in contact.  If you are doing other things for the buyer (e.g. evaluating the pianos), then I would think you should ask more.  Perhaps you could charge a fee per piano that you evaluate, plus 10% of the sale?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Peace,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sarah</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=terry@farrellpiano.com href="mailto:terry@farrellpiano.com">Terry</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, December 24, 2004 8:15 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Piano Finder Fee</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have been asked by a client of mine to find a good used piano for their daughter. I am always happy to work with folks to get rid of the junk and get a nice piano. The guy is willing to spend up to the $3K to $4K range (maybe a nice used Yamy upright). He appears to be the type of guy that simply doesn't have the time to do it himself, but wants it to happen. He said "find me a nice piano and I'll take care of you".</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We didn't talk about any specifics.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So it seems apparent to me that he is willing to pay a finder's fee if I find him a nice piano. I am aware that some dealers will sell a piano for a private owner on consignment. I don't know what percentage is typical. I sold two bicycles at two different stores for a 25% consignment fee. I have a third at another store that will charge a 15% consignment fee. What kind of consignment fees do stores charge for a piano sold on consignment. Is that any basis for a finder's fee?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Has anyone done this sort of thing for a third party? How did it work. What were the financial arrangements?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>