<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" = xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" = name="place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Terry,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I’ve read several of the = responses that are good. I’d also ask a lawyer’s opinion. It = doesn’t sound as if mom is the owner, so would she have any say in the deal? = Lawyer can tell you for sure what rights you have based on the contract. = <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>If you can’t contact the = original owner(s), is it possible that you could sell the fully remanufactured = piano to cover your contracted rebuilding costs? I’m thinking that any = restringing in the old block and having the old action playing on that beautiful new = soundboard/bridge is not advantageous to either of you, except you would get paid. = </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span = style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font size=2 color=navy = face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><br> <br> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>John Formsma = <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span = style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font = size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </span></font></div> <p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font = size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Farrell<br> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, February = 15, 2006 12:04 PM<br> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> pianotech@ptg.org<br> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Piano Rebuild = Client AWOL</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>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 <st1:place = w:st="on">Carolinas</st1:place> and the man seems to have disappeared from the face of the = earth.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>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. = </span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span = style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Terry Farrell</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span = style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> </div> </body> </html>