Piano Rebuild Client AWOL

[Andrew and Rebeca Anderson]

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Hey,
Judge Judy (and several others now) is a win win for everyone 
involved.  Everyone gets paid to participate.  :-D  Not that I'm 
volunteering to represent anyone.  Judgements can be paid out of the 
compensation to appear.  Just not sure if there's enough compensation 
to cover that kind of publicity, but they say all publicity is good, no?

Andrew Anderson

At 01:34 PM 2/15/2006, you wrote:
>Terry -
>As distasteful as it may seem, you should get some legal advice, 
>ASAP.  After that, you can decide how benevolent to be without 
>digging yourself in deeper.  I wonder if you could end up on Judge Judy? X;{
>
>David Skolnik
>
>
>At 01:03 PM 2/15/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>>I've just run into a first for me. Couple years ago I contracted 
>>with a local couple (the husband to be specific) to remanufacture 
>>their old Baldwin M grand (5'3") - new soundboard, action, finish, 
>>etc. The piano was originally purchased new by the woman's 
>>grandmother and was handed down to her (read: sentimental value - 
>>no other piano will do). They put the first 1/3 of the contract fee 
>>up front. I completed building the new soundboard, bridges, ordered 
>>parts, etc., etc. The next step was to move on to refinishing - 
>>that is when the next installment of funds was due.
>>
>>I tried to contact them at that point (several months after I 
>>started) and was unable to - all phone numbers disconnected, etc - 
>>I tried internet searches with no luck. I now learn that the couple 
>>got divorced, the woman moved to the Carolinas and the man seems to 
>>have disappeared from the face of the earth.
>>
>>I stopped working on the piano a long time ago because it seemed I 
>>did not have a client and roughly 1/3 of the work had been completed.
>>
>>This morning I get a call from the woman's mother inquiring about 
>>the piano. I explained the status and she asked if I could just 
>>"put it back together" and that she had no funds that she wished to 
>>invest in the piano - but realizes that it may cost something to 
>>make it whole again in some minimal fashion.
>>
>>So now I'm trying to figure out some sort of solution to this 
>>situation. I seems very clear there will not be a "good" solution 
>>to this situation (unless, of course, the husband is found and is 
>>willing to complete the contract - which mom will try to do - but 
>>I'm not going to hold my breath). I only wish to get paid for the 
>>work I do to the piano. I do not wish to hold anyone to complete 
>>the full scope of contracted rebuilding tasks - that would be best 
>>for the piano, but I don't think anyone will want to pay for it. 
>>I'm going to figure up a fee for making the piano whole for the 
>>least cost. That will be such an awkward solution - new fabulous 
>>belly - peeling finish - dull plate - so-so action with 
>>chipped/cracked ivory keys. I feel so uneasy about such an end. And 
>>I know the lady won't be happy with the piano either.
>>
>>Does anyone have any constructive thoughts for a least-bad outcome 
>>to a situation like this? Maybe there is some avenue/direction that 
>>I have not thought of. Thanks.
>>
>>Terry Farrell
>>
>>


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