----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Peterson <lokman@ix.netcom.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 10:19 AM Subject: Re: Stop!! "Private" Sale Ahead!! > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: robert goodale <rrg@nevada.edu> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org> > Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 9:15 AM > Subject: Re: Stop!! "Private" Sale Ahead!! > > > > Well... <scratching head>, Hmmmm. I have seen this before by a dealer > who would take pianos home from the store and then sell them there to make > it appear that it was a private sale. Of course the next week it was a > different piano. I certainly wouldn't want to be labeled a "tattle tell" > but I'm sure the city wouldn't be pleased to know that there was a retail > operation going on in a residential zone and without a license. An > anonymous > > tip to the BBB and/or the chamber of commerce may result in the city being > notified. Many newspapers used to refuse to place adds if they knew there > was something like this going on. It might be worth a phone call but in > today's world of obscene law suites and personal classifieds, (i.e. "GWM > looking for same"), most newspapers seem to care less about what they print > anymore. > > > > A more subtle approach could involve your entire chapter. Compose a > professional letter explaining that they have been "caught", and express > your displeasure with their ethics. Inform them that you will make it a > point to warn customers and anyone else that comes along. Then have all > members of your chapter sign it and then send it via registered mail. > Lastly, advise all of the purchasers that you can about what has happened. > They may > > be interested in launching their own complaints. > > > > Rob Goodale, RPT > > > > > > > > <snip> > > > > > But what has come to a head recently on the home front is an out-of-town > classified advertisement in the local paper for a grand piano at $2,450. > > > > > > But the advert continues. This time it's a Schomacker grand "in > excellent conditon". The same price, the same address, the same story. "My > daughter's at university and has room only for an upright so she wants to > sell this one". Next week it will be another and I am gathering evidence of > many in the past. > > > > > > In that the Knabe was delivered by "the son" for a slightly additional > charge (he brought the legs in from another piano on the truck), I suspect > this "private" operation is not by a piano technician, but a terrible > furniture dealer/refinisher or mover (no pros). The older couple residing in > the home and who receive the calls appear to be all too innocent and above > suspicion. But they are emphatic in wanting "cash" and a quick decision. > > > > <snip> > > > > > Now, straight to the point. What can I do to stop this practice? Write a > letter to the editor? Take out an advertisement in The Beaver? Go back into > retail? Call the authorities (whoever they may be)? > > > Welcome to the Real World. The truth is that the piano biz is far dirtier > than the used car biz. I say dirtier because they play with a persons > emotions and dreams as well as their pocket book. > If you take this personally the repercussions can be extremely harmful. You > are out there alone when it comes to making accusations. Remember that > there are many technicians and wanta be techs out there that are dependent > on these type of dealers, and will testify against you yes some of them are > PTG members. If you mess with these jokers you had better be prepared to > defend yourself against legal action, as you will be made to be the > criminal, and criminal attorneys are expensive. The DA is not interested > in minor or major fraud unless it is a politically correct time to take > action. You will find that nobody has the time go get involved on your > behalf. > > I suggest that you keep your standards high and wear blinders. If you spend > your time worrying about your own business you will be much happier. The > best thing you can do is a little charity work for the old lady or poor > student that got worked over by one of these dealers. Remember every one of > these pianos no matter how they sell it needs to be worked on and tuned. Do > what you do best, tune pianos. > > I do not know of an industry that does not have questionable home > sales--cars, boats, furniture, jewelry,rugs,piano and organs etc. Keep > smiling all the way to the bank. > > Bill Peterson--Associate South Bay Chapter >
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