moral dilemma/ estimate

[Farrell]

My standard phrase is: "Ma'am, I call 'em as I see 'em".

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 10:39 PM
Subject: Re: moral dilemma/ estimate


> There probably is a middle ground to this.  I think David did the right
> thing by not capitulating to an unethical situation.  However, rather than
> just walk away, I think you could simply say that your own professionalism,
> ethics, code of conduct or whatever, don't allow you to assess the piano
> other than in a manner that you consider accurate, and do so.  Some people
> have grand ideas about how to take advantage of a situation, but once they
> give it some thought may recognize that it is not the right way to go.  I
> would simply and calmly insist on being faithful to my own professional
> ethics and put the ball in their court.  If they choose not to use you,
> cancel your scheduled appointment, or whatever, then you have your answer. 
> But there is no reason, as I see it, to walk away from everything for what
> may turn out to be a temporary mistake in judgement on their part.
> 
> David Love
> davidlovepianos@earthlink.net
> 
> 
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Tom Dickson <td_tuner@hotmail.com>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Date: 2/18/2003 7:03:53 PM
> > Subject: Re: moral dilemma/ estimate
> >
> > Hi, David,
> >
> >    One of the reasons that many of us love this business is because we
> are 
> > able to make the kind of decision you were faced with, going totally with 
> > our "gut" - our conscience.  There are no policies to cloud the issue, no 
> > "managers" to talk some sense in to us, and so on.  At the end of the
> day, 
> > there might be short-lived regret about lost income.  But, I think that
> it 
> > would soon be forgotten, whereas income realized through a morally
> offensive 
> > action would likely "gnaw" at one for some time.
> >
> >    I like the way you do business!
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Tom Dickson,
> > Regina, SK
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >From: David Renaud <drjazzca@yahoo.ca>
> > >Reply-To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > >To: pianotech@ptg.org
> > >Subject: moral dilemma/ estimate
> > >Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 16:43:00 -0500 (EST)
> > >
> > >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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >______________________________________________________________________
> > >Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >
> >
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> 
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