In 10 days I have a gig 1500 miles away. Tom Servinsky ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey at sbcglobal.net> To: <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 9:53 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] no cash flow > 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.
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC