(no subject)

[rufy@rcn.com]

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Michael,

Interesting dilemma! I don't know how strong is your perceived need for
continued referrals from your "Old Boss" but I think if I were in your shoes
I would try to distance myself from him as quickly and quietly as possible.
Sooner or later the people who bought the Chickering from him will learn the
truth of its condition and it will not be in your best interest to be
perceived as covering his rear end. "Honorable men go with honorable men."
(--Don Vito Corleone)

I would tell Old Boss (not meanly, but just as a point of fact) that it's
now going to be HIS project to provide aftercare for the Chickering. Let him
deal with it; HE created the mess, not you.

Apologize to your "good customer" but just tell them the truth as you see
it. They can decide if they think they were ripped off, and what, then, to
do about it. Were they misled? Did they pay more than the thing is worth? (I
don't know-- do you?) I'm sure they'll think the better of you, as will
other people they may refer to you in the future.

And NEW Boss, if (s)he is the respectable person you believe them to be,
will be better served if associated with a technician (you) who is known for
honesty, integrity, and high work standards.

"Chi si corica con cani, s'alza con pulci . . ."  (--my uncle Louie)  ("He
who lies down with dogs, rises with fleas.")


Joseph Giandalone, RPT
Conway, MA





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From: PnutPern@AOL.COM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: (no subject)
Date: Mon, Jul 16, 2001, 8:38 PM


How should I handle this situation:

I currently work for a piano rebuilder and provide tunings on my own time.
I
am starting a new job next week with a well-established and well-respected
dealer but I will continue my side tunings.  I will also continue getting
referrals from my current boss. My soon to be ex-employer sold a Chickering
grand with a questionable pin-block and I am stuck with tuning and servicing
this piano.  They seem happy with it so far but it is a nightmare to tune
for
the following reasons:

 1)  This 1923 piano showed evidence of being doped  and instead of
replacing
the block he re-pinned with 5 & 6 pins throughout.  2)  Several base pins
were shimmed with walnut veneer and epoxy making them almost impossible to
turn.  3)  He leaves his pins protruding too high from the plate (approx.
1/2" from the plate to the coil) which causes flagpoling in the pins (esp.
in
treble).  4)  At least half a dozen pins ratchet which I believe is a result
of the dope/huge pin combination.  5)  He doesn't believe in using half size
strings which I understand can cause inharmonicity and tuning problems. 6)
It sits in an open sanctuary that consists of tile, glass, and concrete so
the sound just goes everywhere.

I hate tuning this piano but they are a good customer of mine.  I also don't
want to get a bad reputation when another tuner comes in and finds these
problems that I never told them about.  How do I handle this without
badmouthing my old boss?  Also, who should pay for the repairs that this
thing really should have and what can be done without replacing the block?

Thanks, Michael Crosby
             Atlanta, GA





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