<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1 = http-equiv=Content-Type><!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 = transitional//en"> <META content='"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=GENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY aLink=#ff0000 bgColor=#ffffff link=#0000ee text=#000000 = vLink=#551a8b> <DIV>Thanks to everyone for the response. = At least now it`s not my word against some un-named tech.I`ve been off the list = for quite a while due to my work load. I forgot how specific one should be. I = presented a thumbnail sketch of the situation to keep the post from being too long = and to keep from introducing bias to the responses. With all new customers I = discuss pitch raising in general, possibility of broken strings, condition and = quality of the piano, action, hammers ect. ect.. However, never,never,never, has = it entered into my  mind to caution against rib seperation in = connection with a 15 cent or for that matter, any percent pitch raise.  Thanks = again and get the heck away from those computers, It`s Labor Day weekend. Al Williams</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 solid 2px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: = 5px"> <DIV>-----Original = Message----- From: Richard Brekne <<A href="mailto:richardb@c2i.net">richardb@c2i.net</A>> To: = <A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> <<A = href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>> Date: Sunday, September 05, 1999 6:25 AM Subject: Re: = Liability advice </DIV>  <A href="mailto:kam544@flash.net">kam544@flash.net</A> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE = CITE>> ...Since I did not give her fair = warning as to what  could happen,  she >feels that I am = liable for the damage to her piano`s  ribs. Her thinking = >is  that it worked fine before I tuned it and now it is  broke. So = what do >you all think?...Thanks, Al Williams. Dear Al, Here's what I think. Customarily, 'fair warning' is definitely in order for any = piano that has been neglected that long, and especially one that you = have no previous knowledge concerning it condition.  Som = regardless of the condition of the piano before you arrived, the ball has = the appearance of falling into your court due to the omission of = that one verbal oversight.  And indicating that you have = been an RPT for 19 years does little to strengthen what should be = customary procedure by now. Why not secure the ribs back to the soundboard to eliminate = the buzzing, admit to the customer of your failure to mention = firsthand that anything could happen, an error on your part at the = most, and express sincere appreciation for them having the courage to = contact you, thereby allowing you the opportunity to make things right.</BLOCKQUOTE> Er.... DANGER....     My two bits.... First of all, it is perhaps a good idea when = tuning a piano of dubious condition and make, to advise the customer that = strings may break, a few problems may pop up, etc. The idea that tuning an older = piano up to pitch can cause major structual damage is = ludicrious. Any "reaction" to tuning from the piano, as you describe = above is due to some major weakness in structure previous to the tuning. = Under no conditions, are you responsible for this kind of damage. As far as what the other tech said or did not say, remember you = have it second hand, from the customer herself who is understandably = motivated to be a bit prejudicial in her assesment of the situation and advise she = recieves. Do not, in this case offer to fix the piano or in = any way admit guilt in this regard, this is a almost guarranteed can of = worms.. If you start fixing ribs on top of that you could very easily end up in = a real big hole full of them. grin. (Sorry to dissagree so adamantly Keith. I have been down that = road, and seen others go there. There is a time and a place for a positivistic = approach, and this is more then likely neither. ) Be firm, polite and dont budge an inch in regards to your = customer. Be patient with them as well as they (in all ignorance) are = understandably upset and suspicious. Be also aware that your membership in the PTG = entitles you to some degree of legal support (correct me if I am wrong, as in = expert opinions and documentation of facts) in the case you get into court. =   Richard Brekne I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F. Bergen, Norway </BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>