<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Steve,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>See my message back to Terry. You, too, = are most probably the owner of the piano in question via mechanics lien. Check = the state statutes regarding this to see what you must do to perfect the lien at = this time. Most states require a posting of intent to dispose of merchandise = left un-paid for. Once you are comfortable with satisfying the requirements = of the mechanics lien, proceed as though you are the owner and dispose of = as you see fit.</FONT></DIV> <DIV>Joseph Alkana RPT</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=lostchordclinic@ameritech.net href="mailto:lostchordclinic@ameritech.net">Stephen Grattan</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> Wednesday, February 15, = 2006 11:03 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Piano Rebuild = Client AWOL</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Hi Terry,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Get any past due and future due funds ( to reassemble the = piano and needed parts) in advance and send in writing to her a new contract = stating what you are going to do and what warranty you will offer = (if any) because the job will not be complete. Do not proceed without = receiving a new signed contract from her. I have had this happen twice = and it is no fun.  In fact one such problem is occurring now. Customer = moved to Vegas and we have not heard from her in 5 + years !</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Steve Grattan<BR><BR><B><I>Farrell <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com></I></B> wrote:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px = solid"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've just run into a first for me. = Couple years ago I contracted with a local couple (the husband to be = specific)&nbs! p;to remanufacture their old Baldwin M grand (5'3") - new = soundboard, action, finish, etc. The piano was originally purchased new by = the woman's grandmother and was handed down to her (read: sentimental = value - no other piano will do). They put the first 1/3 of the contract fee up = front. I completed building the new soundboard, bridges, ordered parts, etc., = etc. The next step was to move on to refinishing - that is when the = next installment of funds was due.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I tried to contact them at that = point (several months after I started) and was unable to - all phone numbers = disconnected, etc - I tried internet searches with no luck. I now = learn that the couple got divorced, the woman moved to the Carolinas and the man = seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I stopped work! ing on the piano a = long time ago because it seemed I did not have a client and roughly 1/3 = of the work had been completed.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This morning I get a call from the = woman's mother inquiring about the piano. I explained the status and she = asked if I could just "put it back together" and that she had no = funds that she wished to invest in the piano - but realizes that it = may cost something to make it whole again in some minimal fashion. = </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So now I'm trying to figure out = some sort of solution to this situation. I seems very clear there will not = be a "good" solution to this situation (unless, of course, the husband is = found and is willing to complete the contract - which mom will try to do - = but I'm not going to hold my breath). I only wish to get paid for the work I = do to the! piano. I do not wish to hold anyone to complete the full scope = of contracted rebuilding tasks - that would be best for the piano, but = I don't think anyone will want to pay for it. I'm going to figure up a fee = for making the piano whole for the least cost. That will be such an awkward solution - new fabulous belly - peeling finish - dull = plate - so-so action with chipped/cracked ivory keys. I feel so uneasy about = such an end. And I know the lady won't be happy with the piano = either.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Does anyone have any constructive = thoughts for a least-bad outcome to a situation like this? Maybe = there is some avenue/direction that I have not thought = of. Thanks.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE!> <DIV><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>