<!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 6.00.2800.1476" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Matthew asked: "<FONT face="Times New = Roman" size=3>On what basis do you guys decide it's time for a client to buy = another piano, as opposed to saying to them that a good rebuilding job will put = their piano in top playing condition again?  What steps do I need to take = to make that decision?  What factors with their piano really determine that = it would be better to buy a new one rather than rebuild?<BR><BR><BR>Matthew,</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV>For those of us that rebuild I think knowing what the end result = will be. This is determined by the quality of the instrument, the level of = playing of the client and, of course, the monetary availability of the client.</DIV> <DIV>Having said that, I have rebuilt many instruments that would bring = a: "Why???!!!" from most technicians. The answer to that is simply the = client wanted it done and it was doable. For high end instruments, they can be = brought to like new or better than new with the skill of a competent Rebuilder. = AND, at, (usually), HALF of the price of a similar new one! This is what I base = my business on and it has proven out well, over the years. (Knock on a soundboard!<G>) </DIV> <DIV>I also take into consideration, whether the client has the patience = to wait, during the rebuilding process. Some "modern" folks seem to want = immediate results. To them I recommend those dealers who carry the level of New = pianos the client might want. Also, I try to steer MY clients to dealers that = don't/won't "jack" them around and play games. IYKWIM!<G></DIV> <DIV>Best Regards,</DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.<BR>Captain, Tool Police<BR>Squares R I</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>