You drive 2 hours? I'm complaining about the 30 minutes to Stanford... David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "Tom Servinsky" <tompiano at bellsouth.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 5/5/2010 6:02:48 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] no cash flow >Gerry, >Hold on a minute. No one is advocating giving away business as part of one's >business plans. The situation that was presented was what to do at this point: cut >the losses and move on or sue for restitution. I think most agreed taking the legal >route could end up costing more than the loss is worth. Thus the feeling is cut the >losses and move on. >If I was in Gene's shoes, I'd have sour grapes and be really ticked off, as one >should. And if the symphony hired him with the full knowledge that they weren't >going to have money to pay him, and if you could actually proved it was >pre-meditated, then I would say that's worth a look at a lawsuit. But again, if they >don't have the money, your chances of recovery will be slim at best. >Personally I would try the guilt trip route and call the business manager or the >manager of the symphony, someone with some clout. At some point they should >have the heart to discuss this matter and work out some way to get this matter >resolved. I'm sure they realize they have egg on the face with no only you but with >other subcontractors. They probably aren't answering the phones for the obvious >reasons. >And as far as the 2 hr drive...that's peanuts. >Tom Servinsky > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Gerald Groot > To: pianotech at ptg.org > Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 7:48 PM > Subject: [pianotech] no cash flow > Hi Gene, > > I wouldn't give my services away either. 2 hours is a very long drive to make either >way you look at it. The mere suggestion's that we should just cut our losses or give >away our time or, place an ad in a bulletin or anything else in return for doing them >or anyone else for that matters, a favor, for us to receive favor's (?), or for us to >"hopefully" receive work from someone else because of our ad, (which rarely ever >really happens in the real world) while we give away our services for free in the >meantime, to me is kind of a nutty way of thinking. It most certainly is not a way to >stay in business and is most certainly not a way to make any money. But it IS a way >for everyone to pass along the word that so and so will tune your piano for free if >you ask him to place an ad in your paper. And, so and so can be called to tune your >piano if you cannot afford to pay him because he will just write it off. And, just >because someone is placing an ad in these playbill's, does NOT mean that it is >drawing in work. I know, I've done it which is why I do not endorse it at all. It does >not work. All it is, is a prestige thingy. Anyone with a good reputation does not >have to do this. > > Are we in this business to make a profit or give away our time? Sure, give away >something once in a while but, not continually. I see and read where so many >people have this stupid idea that piano tuners should do something for nothing or for >less. Why? We are professionals like any others are. Concert work is not pure >pleasure. It is, in fact, the opposite in many cases. It is time consuming, stressful >and a lot of work. It takes a lot of extra time and lots of patience not to mention >standby time and waiting to talk with the artist, meeting their needs, staying for the >concerts etc. Last week Saturday, I woke up at 6 AM, starting my work day at 8 AM >and did not finish it until 10 PM. All for ONE concert event. I charge accordingly for >my standby time plus my tuning fee's. Personally, if I were to drive 2 hours >anywhere, which I will not do, I would most certainly charge a LOT more for a tuning >and for my driving time both ways. > > I'm not sure I would mention the name of the organization here. I haven't been >able to come to a conclusion on that yet because I do not have all of the information >that you have. I'm not saying that I wouldn't either. But, I would most certainly tell >everyone in your area about it. Especially if it has been going on for some time. >That way, they will either have to pay on time to get good quality service or suffer >the consequences because nobody that is qualified will service for them. That is >generally how we handle accounts like that around here. I would inform them in >advance of what I am about to do to give them an opportunity to pay up and stay >on time with it. > > Jer > > 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 > 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 > 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.
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