outrageous charges--estimates

[Richard Brekne]

Well now I am the first to raise the flag for better pay for piano
techs... but of course there are borders... and as you describe the
situation it seems clear this fellow is over (way over) the border.

As far as the slander you refer to... if you got a witness who will
testify to the use of the work "blacklisted", and you can prove you are
not (should be no problem)... sue the fellow. Ask for 50 grand...grin...
that oughta teach'em.

Changing 16 pins is definantly not a $680.00 + tax affair, but I prefer
to put in new pins rather then punch loose ones in farther. That is
unless the rebuilder simply left them too far out. That happens for
sure.

So... what is this guy a member of the PTG or other such organization ??

David Renaud wrote:

> Has anyone ever had any success in dealing with such a character
> or is it a total waste of energy.
>
> Case study----
>
> Client has $1500 worth of work done, bass will not stay in tune.
> Work is otherwise fine but the bass has some loose pins.
> The "rebuilder" does not return so the client gets an estimate from
> a second technician.Unfortunitly they call a technician with
> a reputation among those that know better.
>
> Here it is, on paper for her.
> ------------------------------
> Change 16 loose pins.
>
> Parts-----           $25 per pin * 16     = $400
>         Shipping of pins on special order=  $40
>         Labor 2 hr. * 120 per hour       = $240
>
>             Sub total= $680 plus tax and tuning fee
>              for a total of over $800.
> --------------------------------
> For my part:
> Lots of room to drive in pins, nice a tight for now.
> Cost her nothing over the tuning fee.
> I explained to her the full range of options, real
> cost of parts, and made recommendations to solve the
> problem with Webb Philips method.
>
> This same tech  is charging $3 per paper punching
> and walking out peoples door with $400 in under
> two hours, tuning time included........, no receipt.
> He keeps some clients by badmouthing every other
> technician in the region, and instilling fear and mistrust.
> I have a client(who will never hire him again) who is
> willing to testify that this gentleman told him I am"blacklisted"
> and a terrible tuner and never to hire me. ( I do all the music
> schools and the concert hall in my city for the last 8 years,
> after he was fired from the same).
>
> I'm amazed this person is still in business,
> I am obviously frustrated for the clients sake, and the trades sake.
>
> If I sold my $5000 used Honda to some old lady that didn't
> know better at a 5000% mark up for $250,000
> is that not fraud, and have some legal ramifications?
> $440 for 16 tuning pins for parts only???
> Is there no accountability in this business.
>
>                  Sorry, but I like this business and
>                  this case gets under my skin.
>                                       Sincerely
>
>                                       David Renaud

--
Richard Brekne
Associate PTG, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway