Ethical quandary

[David ilvedson]

> Date:          Mon, 17 Mar 1997 07:32:25 -0500 (EST)
> From:          pianobiz@juno.com (Dave Sanderson)
> Subject:       Re: Ethical quandary
> To:            pianotech@byu.edu
> Reply-to:      pianotech@byu.edu


David,

I have about the same philosophy in my work.  I don't work for
dealers, such as in store tunings etc., so I suppose it might be
a little easier for me.  Typically, someone will want me to
check out a piano they are looking at.  It could be in a home or
in a store.  I am working for that person only.  I let them know
my fees in advance and explain that we will talk about the piano
after my inspection either by phone or outside the house/store.
I try not to give my opinions on site.  Many times the piano's
owner wants me to tell them what I am finding.  Working out
referrals directly to a store in advance is a good idea.  I
would certainly want the "free tuning" and that customer for my
own not the store tuner.

David ilvedson, RPT

> Well for some reason earning money this way never set well with me. I
> never like being asked for the fee and I never want to be given a fee, so
> at least I am consistent.  When I send a customer to a dealer to look for
> a new piano, I call up the dealer and let them know I have referred them
> this person.  The standing agreement is, don't try to steal this client
> away from me (by badmouthing independent technicians) and let me do the
> "free" tuning for you.  This keeps my relationship with the dealer in
> high regard (some stories that  a dealer can tell you about referral fees
> will really raise your ethical quandary) and if the customer does buy a
> piano it enhances my relationship with the new owner as well.  All the
> while I remain a piano technician doing my job, for both customer and
> dealer, with a consistent focus of  working on pianos.
> Perhaps the underlying assumptions about the taking of referral fees are
> what get my goat. For what am I getting paid?  Do I think that my advice
> is for sale?  If so then the wrong person is paying because I give my
> advice to the buyer.  Or is it a service I am providing for the dealer
> for which I am justified in charging?  These are some of the questions
> with which I am unclear.
>
> David Sanderson
> Littleton, MA
> Pianobiz@juno.com
>
>