Dealer/tech relationships and such

[Larry Fisher]

It's a fine line, a balancing act, juggling customer satisfaction with a
dealer that doesn't set will with you.  In the past, I've billed customer's
directly citing the "lack of agreement" with (difficulty in being paid by)
the dealer.  I've had few takers.  This saves me money and time.  It's
business, straight up.  In some cases, where the customer hasn't really
noticed any problems, I've kept my mouth shut, and after a few years, I
suggest a partial regulation to cover the usual "early wear" and "initial
compaction" of the felts and leathers.  In other cases, if I feel the
customer and piano are worth it, I eat some of the work, bill the dealer
for what I think the dealer might pay, and explain to the customer that I
did some things for free with hopes that they will call me in the future
for further service.  

Regarding tight hammer flanges, I've never had a factory dispute the
charges, as long as I followed proceedure,......  get prior approval for a
set amount.

A fairly bent way of dealing with non-paying dealers is to bill them now
and again for work you didn't do, to pay for the work you did do ......
(got that??).  I really don't enjoy doing that, but sometimes that's the
only way out.  At present, I'm happy to announce (spoiled rotten too I
might add), I don't have to do that with any dealers I presently service.
I have had to deal with dealers this way when I lived in smaller
communities.  I've managed to find my settling point, some dealers call me,
some don't.  Those who don't, I don't miss.  Those that do, are happy to
have me represent them, and I do so with as much concern for their future
as mine.  It's a skill that's acquired with time I suppose.  I didn't much
care for red wines 10 year ago either.  Now, my woman and I enjoy smoked
salmon, grapes, Cab, Gouda, crackers, and a Pacific sunset 4.5 miles from
the car .......... and no tent, or sleeping bags.  Enjoying my woman
without all them other distractions requires skill, ............. that's
acquired with time.

Lar


                                    Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)
           Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water