outrageous charges--estimates

[Richard Brekne]

Hi Terry... It occured to me to "temper" my last response a bit to reflect the
feeling behind it. (Grin.. like Gina I am a "Feelings" kinda person)

While I like to bombasticate a bit when I come across such stories as the one
you relate, I think you will find that the best advice is that you have recieved
from Ed, Ron and the like.

True enough, what you describe is probably "Liable", but as Ed points out Liable
isnt worth anything to you unless you can prove it has harmed you.

Really, as the others have stated... this is more a buisness opportunity for you
then it is anything else. We can never get rid of all these kinds of individuals
anyways...but we can out compete them with honesty, hard clean work, and
informative and positive attidude, and a freindly attidude. Starting up the
Johnson Range Wars again wont do you much good.

Please take my bombastic type comments with a grain of salt,, I just like to
blow my bellows from time to time... grin.

Farrell wrote:

> I think the other responses I have read about free enterprise, etc. are
> essentially correct - not much to do. But regarding "this gentleman told him
> I am 'blacklisted' and a terrible tuner and never to hire me", this sounds
> like libel to me. I can't imagine it being worthwhile pursuing in most
> situations, but are his libelous statements taking desired business away
> from you? That would be for you to decide if legal action would be worth it.
>
> I'm sorry to hear of your situation. It is really unfortunate that some
> would operate at that level. I had a brush with the libel thing myself in
> the past. Time seems to have helped it work out. Hope your situation
> remedies itself. Good luck.
>
> Terry Farrell
> Piano Tuning & Service
> Tampa, Florida
> mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Renaud" <studiorenaud@qc.aibn.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 11:14 AM
> Subject: outrageous charges--estimates
>
> > 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