>From Sy Zabrocki--RPT=09 Just what is PTG policy regarding discussing pricing. Way back in the = 1960's tuning fees were discussed frequently. I even have them = highlighted in these old issues.=20 The Sherman Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act was enacted = probably in the 1970's. It was my understanding we could no longer = discuss association prices because it could be considered "price = fixing". I have an old pamphlet which I vaguely remember receiving from PTG. = Maybe not. It's called "Antitrust Guide for Association Members" written = by the American Society of Association Executives. There is no date of = any kind. The opening paragraph states "Trade associations are subject to strict = scrutiny under both federal and state antitrust laws". It goes on = stating "a price-fixing violation may be inferred from similar price = behavior by members, even in the absence of a written or oral agreement. = Even an informal agreement whereby one member agrees to stay out of = another's territory will constitute a violation of the anti-trust laws. Do these laws apply to PTG? Surely the editors are aware of this which = probably explains why no posting of current tuning prices are ever = discussed. What if you are not an association member? Can you then = compare prices with your competitor? Let's hear from the PTG office.=20 Has there been some de-regulating of these laws? Wow! Just had an awful = thought. Am I in violation just bringing up the subject? Are there = pianos to tune in prison? The old PTG Journals in the early 1960's state tuning prices from $12 to = $14.50.=20 Let's hear from someone on this topic.
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