<!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 5.50.4522.1800" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV>I also usually discuss my impressions of the piano during the inspection with the seller present. But what I tend to do is be sure to = state clearly any deficiencies I find with both parties present. While the = seller is present I tend to not say much about the positive aspects of the piano. = And I do not discuss my views of price with the seller within earshot.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I will discuss positive aspects of the piano and my opinions of = price issues with the buyer in private. That way, the seller hears all the = negative issues about the piano - I can point them out - "see that wood = separation at the base of the bridge over there - that's what is causing the buzz" or = "hear the prominent lack of volume in the 5th - 6th octave area compared to = the rest of the piano"? Sometimes these things need to be pointed out otherwise = the buyer (if they still want to buy the piano) may well have a hard time = communicating with the seller why they are offering a lower price.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sometimes I have nothing but praise for a piano. I certainly don't = want to be dancing around the piano in front of the seller saying that this is = the nicest piano I have ever seen and I think it is worth more than what you = are asking. Rather I will inspect the piano with a straight face. Maybe say = at the most that it appears to be in pretty good shape. But in private with the = buyer, tell them that the piano is fabulous and the price is below market = value.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Terry Farrell <SPAN = id=__#Ath#SignaturePos__></SPAN> </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=cedel@supernet.com href="mailto:cedel@supernet.com">Clyde = Hollinger</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> Friday, October 05, 2001 = 9:38 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: A Business = Dilemma</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV>Newton and everyone, <P>On occasion I am called upon to evaluate a privately owned piano = for a potential buyer.  I do not like trying to wheedle out of giving = the seller information, so I usually let them know when I arrive that = since the potential buyer is the one paying me, s/he is the one who should get = the information first.  If they wish to share it with the seller, = that's up to them. <P>Still, once in a while I <I>will</I> talk to the seller about the = condition of the piano if it does not put the buyer at a disadvantage.  You = know, some people think their piano is worth $1000 even if it's a = 30-year-old spinet that hasn't seen a technician in about that many years and is 150c = flat, screw rattles, rusty strings, etc.  Even though they may not be happy = about what I have to say, they have an idea why I suggested the buyer not = buy, and can decide to either lower their price, get the piano brought up to = par, or rip off some other trusting soul.  Seems ethically OK to = me.  Agree or disagree? <P>Regards, Clyde <P>Newton Hunt wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE="CITE">It is my policy not to tell the seller = anything about any piano I <BR>inspect for a buyer who has hired me for my opinion(s).  If asked by the <BR>seller what I think I gently = say, "Since I am being hired by the buyer <BR>it is unethical for me to = tell you of my observations."</BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>