piano rip off

[Ric Brekne]

Hi Les

I think you will find there is really no way of getting at these kind of 
folks.  I've had plenty enough experience with these kinds of folks 
myself down through time. One of the worst examples ever was a guy up in 
the north side of Seattle ... Everett area.  Boy what a case study this 
guy was.  I mean he had a house full of total umitigatory garbagio.  
There must have been 50 total wrecks in this house he had.  The front 
yard was a collection of just as useless assorted garden chemicals and 
paints (which should have been the clue as to what this guy was about 
for anyone to begin with... but obviously isnt). 

I got called in because a lady had purchased an <<instrument from this 
guy>> for 1200 bucks and the bass didnt sound good right so she wanted 
to get it checked (yea.... after the purchase).  Ok.. I was young and 
dumb so I offered to help.  The bass bridge was ... well.. disintegrated 
basically, along with half the soundboard and the pinblock.  The case 
looked reasonably ok.. but then they always do dont they ?? ;:) So we 
called the guy and he said no problem... just come and pick out any 
other of his pianos and we would find an agreement.  Thats when I got to 
see this house of his...

The long and short of it was unless the lady was willing to run a legal 
battle.. one she would ultimately loose even if she won.... the guy 
would remain untouchable. She got stuck with her 1200 <<cat in the bag>> 
and that was it.  In the old days out west the guy woulda been tarred 
and feathered... if he was lucky.  But we are more civilized now :)

Write it off and get on with bigger and better things... and of course 
try and influence those you can to not deal with this guy....  Thats 
about all you can do me thinks.

Cheers
RicB

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I have a new client who just spent $350 on a "piano" at a second hand store.
At least twelve pins were marked with an 'x' above to indicate they wouldn't
hold a pitch. They were all in a line, cracked block?    But my question is
are there any creative ways to get back at this store which refueses to
refund money to the people.  They couldn't afford what they got.  I was able
to get a Baldwin Acrosonic for $300, but they really didn't have the money
to buy anything more. So I said I would help them move it.   I am just so
hacked off that the poor continually get ripped off,and want to get even
with the fools who sold them this POS.
les bartlett

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