For what it's worth, the worst experience I ever had with a mechanic was with a guy who made a big deal of his ASE certification. Some of the worst work and most questionable business practices have been the product of the then president of the local PTG chapter. Not cynical as always. Sid > Wim, as an auto mechanic in a former life, our industry went >through the same thing a number of years ago. The ASE, or >Automotive institute for Service Excellence was started to certify >technicians much as we are looking to do. The differences are: >1. ASE began with the backing of auto manufacturers, parts makers, >car dealer and the mechanics themselves i.e., lots of industry >support. >2. Nearly every consumer drove a car and nearly everyone had a bad >experience at one time or another, creating a general need for >testing and certification. >3. A nationwide advertising campaign was implemented which made >every mechanic WANT to become certified. It became a badge of honor >that the public recognized and still do. > Let's compare... >1. We are a comparatively very small group of tradespeople who have >little standing with the general public and few financial resources. >2. Not everyone owns a piano much less takes care of it as they >should, so as a result, our market is limited. >3. Advertising costs money, and it would take an enormous effort to >convince the public that they should use only registered piano >technicians, and to convince technicians themselves that they should >be a part of this process. Cost vs. Benefit ? > > My point is, that as noble and worthwhile as the certification >effort is, it will only go so far, and only be marginally >effective because of these inherent obstacles. The best incentive >for an associate to become an RPT is still and will remain, >self-improvement. We can make lots of proposals, rule changing and > wheel spinning, but there may be no definitive answer to this >problem. > Mike Kurta > -- Sid Blum sid@sover.net
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