Warranty Work Question

[David Ilvedson]

Just find a centerpin that will be tight in the birdeye and ream the flange bushing as needed....

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044


----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: mps at usol.com
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Received: 11/3/2006 1:59:51 AM
Subject: Re: Warranty Work Question


>Thank you to all for their honest answers...

>The situation here is that when I tuned this piano the client told me 
>that another tech. had tried to repair this key. The problem with the 
>key is that sometimes it plays, others not.
>On inspection it is evident that the jack is sliding too far side to side 
>and not going completely under the hammer butt to allow it to play.
>Upon pulling the action and whippen assembly, I can see that the 
>birdeye at the jack flange is oval and jagged in shape. I'm thinking this 
>is my problem and to correct this I should just replace the entire 
>whippen assemblyand regulate this key.

>The manufacturer has already sent me the whippen assembly gratus.

>I will take the knowledgeable advice given here and put it to good use.

>Thank you!
>Mark


>> On 11/2/06, mps at usol.com &lt;mps at usol.com&gt; wrote:
>> &gt;
>> &gt; Also, this warranty form I need to fill out is asking me to make 
>the call
>> &gt; if it is a factory defect or a defect in workmanship of a previous
>> &gt; technician. I DO NOT want to point fingers at anyone!
>> &gt; What is a new technician to do here?  So many variables I 
>guess.
>> 
>> Dear Mark,
>>  I've read several others' replies and thought I'd add my 2 cents. I
>> suggest you call the manufacturer's rep back and clarify with them
>> your own policies. If that means (as others have suggested) a 
>service
>> call in which you evaluate the problem ($ X), and then calling the
>> company on a regular business day to tell them your diagnosis and
>> price for the actual repair ($ Y), getting them to confirm they'll pay
>> you Y dollars to do the repair (and of course the X dollars for the
>> diagnostic visit), you should be on very solid ground.
>> Or you might give the rep a verbal quote based on what you're
>> expecting to find, and plan on fixing it on Saturday. DON'T lowball
>> your estimate because you may feel you want to "get in good" with 
>this
>> company, or because the  labor for hanging the hammers or making 
>the
>> key set was twenty-five cents in their Chinese factory!
>> The manufacturer's warranty payment form may ask "if it is a factory
>> defect or a defect in workmanship of a previous technician" for the
>> most noble reasons: to improve quality control in the factory &/or in
>> dealer prep. For example, are the hammers clangy and "like rocks"
>> because that's the way they make them, or because some over 
>zealous
>> tech soaked them with way too  much plasic & acetone (or other
>> hardeners)? A "nice", forward thinking company would pay you for 
>your
>> repairs in either situation. A chintzy one may try to weasel out of
>> the situation, and suggest you bill the customer. IF they're 100% up
>> front about this policy, there should be no problem -- you inform 
>the
>> customer by phone ASAP (before you go out to his place) that they
>> *might* have a potential monetary liability.
>> Last of all, are you certain you're competent at the job ahead? If you
>> have any doubts, that would be where you might disappoint your 
>client.
>> If so, ask the list for advice, and search the list archives for
>> appropriate solutions.
>> Best wishes,
>> Patrick Draine RPT
>>