Caut help??

[Newton Hunt]

On piano loan programs.
      DO NOT dispose of the restorable pianos.  Put them on their sides in
storage to act as your ace in the hole when the program terminates.
      The technical problems are the time to install, remove and service the
new pianos.  They will need much more tuning than older pianos.
      The pianos should be installed in one day with enough moving crew to do
the job.  Eight moving crew can uncrate and setup 20 or so pianos in one day.
      Work out a thre tiered list of pianos.
            a.  The minimum needed to fulfill department needs.
            b.  The nice amount to feel good and truely meet the needs.
            c.  More pianos than needed.
      Go with b.
      Work out a multi year plan and contract with the supplier that defines
each parties obligations.
      Check with purchasing division about the contract and contact rist
management about insurance coverage.
      In Music Assembly or similar group meeting tell the students about the
loan and instruct them that it is their responsibility to see to it that the
pianos are properly cared for and used.  No food, drink, smoke or objects other
than music and a metronome on the pianos.
      Work with the moving crew to see to it that they right pianos go into
their respective rooms and are set the proper way.  Remove hammer sticks and
check tunings.  Note any damage to case or otherwise, record serial numbers
with building and room number.  Provide a copy for the dealer and keep a copy
for your records.
      This is an opportunity to dispose of your worst stock in exchange for a
new instrument or two, but keep your better restorables for use later.  Do not
dispose of enough instruments to leave you helpless in the event the contract
fails.
      All charges for moving, interest, spiffing before sale, sale dates,
room assignments, number of non used pianos to be floored be the dealer,
commissions on new stock and school used instruments to be sold must be worked
out before contract signing.
      School policy on the use of school mailing lists must be spelled out.
It is not a good idea to give the list to the dealer.  School should do the
mailing and get reimbursed by the dealer as a cost of advertising.
      Dealer should make appointments with customers so that everyone does
not come at once to reduce confusion and have the time to cose sales with less
stress.
      Dealer will need lots of floor space, telephone access, a private
closing room, sales staff, technicians to clean, polish cases, regulate, voice,
tune and otherwise make nice for sale.  School tech should not be expected to
be more than generally provide information for dealers techs, movers, and sales
staff regarding piano conditions, etc.
      Get your tuning arm limbered up because there will be a lot of tuning.
Check the pianos twice as often as normal for tuning.
      Hope this is helpful,
            Newton
            nhunt@rci.rutgers.edu