Dealer/Tech. relations revisited

[Baldwin Yamaha Piano Centre]

Lance Lafargue wrote:
> 
> Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but...... I'm trained to do dealer prep
> for a very nice brand of piano.  I go to the dealer and notice dealer prep
> is not being done.  One piano sounds dramatically different from another
> due to string voicing, hammer voicing, tuning, and is not evenly regulated.
>  My customer buys one.  I see what the piano needs, the owner does not.  Do
> I say anything to the owner, dealer, manufacturer?  I work for the dealer
> on warranty tuning and service calls in my area, but do not do dealer prep
> for them and don't want to make waves.  I'm committed however to being
> honest with the owner of the piano.  The customer I've mentioned will
> probably notice most of the things I notice now as he play it over time
> (was very sensitive with his previous instrument).  Do I say anything to
> anybody?? This is happening consistently.
> Lance Lafargue, RPT
> New Orleans Chapter
> Covington, LA.
> lafargue@iamerica.net
Greetings Lance,
                 It seems as if I've been hogging a lot of air time on
this topic, but I can add another 2cents worth, Canadian that is. Not
worth much.
  To answer your question, YES, you are morally obliged to both the
dealer and the customer. How you do it, is all important, see my
previous post.
  First go to the dealer and explain that he has a problem developing,
you did not want to cause any problems, and have not mentioned the
problems to the customer at this time, however if the customer should
ask, you would be honor bound to be truthful,as you have an on going
relationship with this client.
  Since you already do some work for this dealership there is already a
trust factor working for you. So be up front with the dealer and voice
your concerns without recriminations, chances are the dealer will give
you the job. Just be fair in your charges.
  If the the dealership does not respond, you then owe it to the
customer to point out the short comings, this client trusted you to look
after their previous instrument, so whats different now? If they find
out that you have been covering up you will loss this client for sure,
as well as some of your integrity.
  I will repeat a quote from one of my previous post and my absolute
creedo for doing business. WALK A MILE IN THE CUSTOMERS SHOES.
                           DO UNTO OTHERS.

Hope is this of some help. P.S. I'm speaking as both a dealer. and as a
technician, so I am seeing the problem from both sides of the fence.
As a consumer I have been screwed many times.
Kind regards
Roger Jolly
Canadian Wilderness
Saskatoon