Mannino and Ilvedson, "She very likely just found someone cheaper" The problem with this answer is the presumption that Ilvedson isn't undeservedly getting paid diddley squat in the first place. What I can assume from this account, that medical and other benefits, tenure, sabbatical, spring and summer break, a tuition remission program that actually provides compensation for education in the specialty the institution hired me to perform in the first place, piano technology, is not even part of the question, assuming that "a music school in Mountain View, California," is a conservatory. Then there are some at institutions with pianos that need to be subjected to massive rebuilding projects in the midst of a relentless performance schedule, dare I suggest, replaced-you can always put that off until when we leave for the summer and you stay here hubris-some of which do not even provide the technician with a shop in the first place. Then the conservatory might throw the "Conflict of Interest" clause at you to justify their parasitic salary, as if the wages given do not require you to be two people at once, work two jobs, and deprive you of a life. Many in the guild try to make good tech's good businessmen. My Uncle made way more than most piano tech's I meet selling 7up. He barely finished High School. Granddad called it the great escape. "You just need to know how to tell people what to do," he tells me. Though not mutually exclusive, not all good tech's are good businessmen, and when employed at an institution of higher learning, more should be considered than just money. - Ben From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Don Mannino Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 2:44 PM To: David Ilvedson; caut at ptg.org Subject: Re: [CAUT] loss of a day's work David, I used to be understanding when a customer goofed and missed an appointment. I agree, though, that a full day servicing 8 pianos is not something I would forgive and forget! She very likely just found someone cheaper, and didn't have the nerve or consideration to call and cancel! You may not ever receive any money from her, but you have let her know that her behavior was inappropriate. You could try taking her to small claims court, but it may not be worth the effort, even if you win (which is not guaranteed). Don Mannino ________________________________ From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Ilvedson Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 10:26 PM To: caut at ptg.org; pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [CAUT] loss of a day's work List, Excuse my rant...I booked a full day at a music school in Mountain View, California. I've tuned for her several times...8 pianos. We booked this for last Tuesday, she said she was having a meeting with her teachers but would meet in adjoining room so we could work. I had 6 hours for do 8 pianos so I brought a fellow tuner that is working for me. We arrived at 9 am and she said she was surprised to see me, since I hadn't confirmed the appointment...it was a set appointment as far as I was concerned. We confirmed it a week before. She said she had made other arrangements? I was flabbergasted that instead of calling me again if she had a question on the appointment, she instead call another tuner...I sent her a bill for the travel time and the wasted day. If anyone on this list happens to be the other tuner, I'd be interested in what she said to him/her. No hard feelings of course...it's her problem. Does anyone else think it a little strange to call and make an appointment and then make other arrangements instead of checking with the original technician first? I do not remember a confirmation request...but I suppose it is possible...but still she was on the phone...why call someone else instead of me? David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut_ptg.org/attachments/20090410/c64177c9/attachment.html>
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