Warranty dilemma

[Farrell]

If all else fails, read the instructions - i.e. read the warranty. If it
says what I expect - repair/replace parts and/or labor for ten years. And
then I assume they qualify that with something like "when used under normal
circumstances"  - "willful damaging or abuse will nullify warranty". IMHO,
placing a new piano inside an Ohio home with heat and air conditioning would
clearly fall under normal circumstances - not abuse. Whether or not Baldwin
used defective materials or drilled the wrong size holes or used the wrong
size pins, or pounded the pins in the wrong way, the piano has been
stored/used under normal residential circumstances and I would certainly
think the warranty would cover it.

Please keep us informed of the outcome. I would sure like to know what
Baldwin does.

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: <Ritchiepiano@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2001 6:09 PM
Subject: Re: Warranty dilemma


> Thanks to all for the input I have received
> Comments interspersed below
> From:   RNossaman@KSCABLE.com (Ron Nossaman)
> <<
>  > Having radiators for heat, they won't have central air conditioning for
>  > cool, so they won't have much in the way of dehumidification in summer.
I
>  > find that people usually only run window units when the room is
occupied,
>  > and the piano is nearly always in a room that isn't. It's almost surely
a
>  > climate control thing, making it the customer's problem.
>  >
>  > Ron N
>   >>
> Ron
>  Actually they also do have central air through a heat pump
> and separate duct work. As I said this is a very affluent 'hood.
>
> From:   Billbrpt@AOL.COM
> >>Snip>>
> The Baldwin B and C series is an exception to this, however, in my book.
> This, in spite of some good words recently by Ron N.  In my opinion, this
was
> an attempt to build a cheap piano but have the long standing, generally
good
> reputation of the name, Baldwin on it.
> >>Snip>>
> Bill,
> My experience with the B is about the same as yours, but I have
> never had this severe block problem with any Baldwin. It usually
> takes 7 yrs. to really be able to turn the pins. (slight exaggeration)
>
> From:   diskladame@provide.net (Z! Reinhardt)
> Now I'm curious -- were the pins uniformly loose?  Then I might assume a
> climate control problem.  Or were they interspersed with good to tight
pins?
> Then I might assume a warranty problem.
>
> No, the pins go from some sort of tunable maybe 50 in.lbs --the best
> to literally  0 in lb. you cannot remove the tuning hammer and have
> the pin stay. All the rest fall widely in between.
>
> My dilemma here is I feel the block should be replaced due to the major
> inconsistency from note to note. If I had to say-go to court-could I
firmly
> say that this was not a humidity problem... No. Do I feel this problem is
> totally related to climate.....No. There is something very different here,
but
> I just can't put a finger on it. I actually did call the dealer just to
find
> out
> that it was a new piano purchase, serial number verification and relate my
> findings. They are a reputable Baldwin dealer. No more was said. Previous
> tuner examined the piano and "tried to tune" 3 weeks prior to me. He told
> owner the piano needs $3000.00 worth of work. I think that is why I was
> contacted. He made no mention of warranty.
> I usually take the client side, if I feel they are right beyond doubt. I
don't
> think they have made any extra effort to deal with this problem beyond
> what I stated. I sort of feel like I should let them pursue the matter
> themselves. On the other hand I could just bring the piano into the
> shop and replace the block. Could be less hassle for everyone, but
> I also believe a piano with the Baldwin name should last more than
> 7 years. I concur with Terry & I made clear the humidity question.
>
> From:   mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com (Farrell)
> Hey Ron. I agree with you that the owner has a climate control problem.
But
> regardless - 0 in.-lb. torque? This sounds like a material and/or
> manufacturing defect to me. IMHO, I don't think any piano SHOULD be
> untunable in seven years in a residential environment - even without
> air-conditioning.
>
> Mark Ritchie RPT