<!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> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I would tell them that you are going = after them for the balance of the contract.  You could offer to settle for the piano.  If you did that you would never have to look over your = shoulder or worry about badmouthing etc.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bill Peterson</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=mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com href="mailto:mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com">Farrell</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> Wednesday, February 15, = 2006 10:03 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Piano Rebuild Client = AWOL</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <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) 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 working 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></BODY></HTML>