moral dilemma/ estimate

[Clyde Hollinger]

David,

A line I've often considered, but never had the chance to use, would be
something like, "I will not be dishonest *with* you, and I will not be
dishonest *for* you."

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger, RPT

David Renaud wrote:

> An estimate for a public school teacher.
> She's hired me, she works for the school.
>
> Yahama Apt. size piano, not bad,
> needs minor work. Hairline soundboard
> crack, not open, at pitch, not
> too much wear, about 15 years old.
>
> Apparently the school is now uses electric
> keyboards; is willing to sell said piano
> to her.
>
> She evicts 2 other teachers from
> the room, and explains;" she wants
> to be alone with me because she,
> "Wants me not to be honest"
> "wants a high estimate",
> and proceeds to explain how she
> thinks she can get the piano
> for about $1000(Canadian money....about $600US.)
> She then makes clear I am not to
> communicate with the school, but
> will be using my estimate to get what
> she wants.
>
>    Several issues come to mind.
>
> First, a client does not dictate what an
> estimate must look like.
> She thinks she can orchestrate the
> details because she is hiring me.
> I don't think so. I advocate for a
> client hiring me, buyer or seller,
> and act accordingly, but within reasonable
> limits based on defendable valuations.
>
> Secondly, she is a public servant,
> working for the very institution she
> is actively trying to rip off. I see
> no sense of obligation to look out
> for the interests of the corporation
> she works for. I told her this, and also
> told her if she worked for my company
> I would fire her. The same schools
> that are crying no money for books
> and activities have teachers attempting
> to suck the system for thousands
> of extra dollars. I happen to know this
> same school closed a wood-shop. What do
> you think of a teacher getting ahold
> of most of the tools for a song, for example
> $20 brings a giant lath home. Polish it
> up and offer it privately for a $800 value.
>
> I was booked to go to the lady's home
> after the estimate to tune and fix a few
> things. So between  this and the estimate
> I just walked away from half a days work.
>
> I have heard it said
> "never let pride get in the way of makn money"
> well.... today I beg to disagree.
>
>               grrrrrrrrrrrr
>               David Renaud
>               RPT
>               Canada
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