tax deductions?

[ilex cameron ross]

heheh, actually what is at issue here is whether or not this is any argument
to claim a piano as a tax deduction, but evidently nerves have been hit, so
let the topic stray as it will :)
the issue of upgrading someone's piano is something i usually leave to
whether or not the conversation with the client goes that way, and whether
or not they WANT my opinion, as i am NOT a piano salesperson. some people
hold their little 40 yr old spinets very dear to heart. others just want
something that will function. often if it's a piano for a young student, the
subject will come up, and then the floor is open, but otherwise - eh. part
of the reason i got into tuning was due to a crotchety old man who upon
entering my mother's home, immediately criticised the piano i grew up
playing, and then proceeded to make it sound the worst it has ever sounded
in 20+ years. and yes, he was a rpt. horrors. i'll do it myself,
thankyouverymuch.

as for me, my own issue (the piano purchase) is already resolved as i have
decided to just GO for it. some opportunities are too sweet to pass up...

thanks anyway!
-ilex

}-----Original Message-----
}From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
}Behalf Of Dean May
}Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 5:18 PM
}To: Pianotech
}Subject: RE: tax deductions?
}
}
}What is at issue here is what is the customer's need? I don't often
}recommend people upgrade their pianos. Most of the pianos I tune rarely get
}played. But if I have one that is played a lot and is a junker, I recommend
}they upgrade, as I know they will get more enjoyment out of their playing
}and become a better piano player with a better piano.
}
}If they bought a cheapie to see if the kids stick with it and they've had
}their kids in lessons more than a year, it is time to upgrade. My
}estimation
}is that is enough time for a child to prove that he is going to stick with
}it. If you don't give them a better piano to play, it will be a
}self-fulfilling prophecy: they will get discouraged playing junk and will
}quit.
}
}In 25 years of tuning, I've only been asked a couple dozen times what piano
}I've got at home. It is a '40s small Baldwin grand given to me by a dear
}older woman before she died. Why would I upgrade that piano to a Steinway?
}
}Dean
}Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
}PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
}Terre Haute IN  47802
}
}-----Original Message-----
}From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf
}Of Hechler Family
}Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 3:12 PM
}To: Pianotech
}Subject: Re: tax deductions?
}
}Ryan,
}
}Boy have you hit a major nerve with me.
}
}Based on your comment, everyone should upgrade to a grand. Nearly 99
}percent of my business is the pianos you mentioned below. If which 99
}percent have no space for a grand or don't want a grand. And to top
}things off, I own an antique player piano which is a Story & Clark which
}I feel is a good quality instrument. Finally, I also rebuild antique
}pump organs which are not upgradeable.
}
}So please keep your blanket statements to yourself.
}
}P.S. I recently acquired a player piano rebuilt job for a Gulbransen piano.
}
}Ryan Sowers wrote:
}
}<snip>
}
}> Very frequently I am encouraging people to upgrade their spinet,
}> consoles, and worn-out uprights. How could I do this in good faith if
}> I don't personally value the instrument enough to warrant owning a
}> good quality one.
}
}--
}Duaine Hechler
}Piano, Player Piano, Organ, Pump Organ
}Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding
}Associate Member of the Piano Technicians Guild
}Reed Organ Society Member
}St. Louis, MO 63034
}(314) 838-5587
}dahechler@charter.net
}
}_______________________________________________
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}
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