Manufacturers hire private companies to check serial numbers on floor stock pianos at piano dealers across the country. Even though most dealers do a good job of taking care of inventories and serial numbers on their own, a private company goes and physically checks all the inventory on a regular basis. The dealers are supposed to pay for their product at the time of sale. An inventory check from a private company keeps the dealer from the temptation of using the money from a sold unit to buy a new boat. Aside from the fact that mistakes can be made, most reputable dealers do not have a problem with this. They don't say "are you trying to make us look bad?" "don't you trust us?". Piano technicians are in this business to make money. There have been instances where false warranty claims are made. Some technicians making warranty claims will not negotiate price. Most reputable technicians do not make false warranty claims but along the lines of inventories/warranties.... It seems logical to me that a Manufacturer has the right to: 1.) Use someone they trust to confirm a warranty claim. 2.) Be able to negotiate a satisfactory price for that work. If I were Yamaha and I were trying to execute a warranty situation, I would negotiate with one person to do all the claims in an area, that way I could execute those claims with a trusted quality and within a reasonable and predictable budget. This is not about stealing someone elses integrity. This is about good business practices. William C. Sadler-RPT Home : 612-339-5182 School of Music Office: 612-624-8575 Piano Technician Pager : 612-538-3577 University of Minnesota E-mail: sadle001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
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