Hi Gene: I know that I'm going to sound like a bit of a hard case with what I say, so I apologize in advance. It may well be that you have been deliberately set up for the fall. Join the club, it's happened to most of us at one time or another and it will probably happen to us again. It's not fair or right, but it is an unfortunate fact that this is part of business for most people in most businesses. It'll probably happen to you again too, just change the details. You have no control over whether or not you get paid, beyond some steps that others have outlined, but you do have control over how you choose to feel about it. It is your choice to be consumed by this and let it turn you inside out emotionally, consuming your thoughts, energy, and focus that would better serve you elsewhere. The good news is that because you are choosing to let yourself feel this way, this also means you can choose to feel otherwise and direct your thoughts and actions elsewhere. That's self-mastery, grasshopper. I allow myself 10 minutes of deep, black disappointment and anguish before the mental switch kicks on, and says, NEXT. It makes life a hell of a lot easier for me to do that. Why would I want to spend hours feeling like crap? Will From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gene Nelson Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 6:51 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Fw: no cash flow I have not heard anyone suggest that making the name of the symphony public could be unethical, and I do not believe it would be. The time is not now however. After much consideration I have that old bad taste in my mouth. I have donated many tunings but they have always been by my choice - not an option to deceit. This symphony knew when they wanted my services that they could not pay me and did not have the fortitude to inform me or ask for donated service - who knows, I may have felt generous that day. The feeling I get here is that there is something glorious about concert work that should cause me to be bullied into donating a full day to someone who clearly has no regret about taking advantage. If I give in then the next technician will likely be faced with the same thing. The next technician should ask to be paid in advance or at least know what could be on the horizon for them. To be honest, I get more satisfaction out of reviving the old upright as opposed to some aspects of concert work and cannot see anything that is so special about it. If my reputation gets trashed because I want to be paid for my services then maybe I am in the wrong business. These same people have benefactors that are willing to front enough $$$ for one of the most exotic German pianos on the market - will they maintain that one with the same approach? Communication and good will is a two way street. Thanks again for all of your thoughts. Gene ----- Original Message ----- From: Gene Nelson <mailto:nelsong at intune88.com> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 11:14 AM Subject: Re: [pianotech] no cash flow This would be good if I was close to the place. As it is a 2+ hour drive, my services were more than a tuning (took up an entire day) and I do not want clients in that area because I am not willing to drive there on a regular basis I cannot see the value in it. I don't care about the income range of those who might read my name on some symphony hand out as none of them will be a client. This is looking more and more like a chartable contribution that I am being forced to give. Maybe I can use it as a tax write off - there is at least some value in that. Gene ----- Original Message ----- From: Brian Trout <mailto:brian_trout at hotmail.com> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 10:57 AM Subject: Re: [pianotech] no cash flow Since I'm not a regular symphony attendee, I'm not all that familiar with how the playbill is written or what is normally in it. But if you have the opportunity to put your name in front of a few hundred or even a few thousand people for the price of a tuning, that may be a rather target rich audience for your advertising. The few times I was sitting, waiting for a concert to begin, I often found myself reading whatever I had available, even if I had almost no interest, simply to occupy my thoughts with something other than nothing. Might end up being a win/win for both of you. Saves them money, provides you advertising. You'd just want to work out ahead of time what work equates with what advertising to make it at least approach equitable in appearance. Best of luck, Brian _____ From: alliedpianocraft at hotmail.com To: pianotech at ptg.org Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 12:37:38 -0400 Subject: Re: [pianotech] no cash flow Take it out in trade! Get tickets to the symphony or an ad in the playbill in lieu of payment. Al _____ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Get started. <http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON: WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100505/3edb716c/attachment-0001.htm>
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