Pianotech

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.


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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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Ask if they will accept a credit card.

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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 22:29
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.

 

I could not find a US contact for Bechstein and so contacted them directly, in the Czech Republic. They have offered to replace all three pedals at no charge but I have to pay for postage. I think this is tremendously fair. My problem is the invoice they sent is requesting Euro's, which are not really a problem, but offers no way to actually get the money to them, in the Czech Republic. I talked to my bank and the only thing they could offer was an international wire transfer, which is going to cost more than half as much as the postage itself.

If I had a drill press I could probably make that part out of aluminum but I'm not sure that would be strong enough.

So, today's question, does anyone know of a US based Bechstein tech support contact that might make this thing a bit easier to pull off? 

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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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Good idea, Wim, but I'm not sure I'm willing to send my credit card numbers to Czech Republic in an email.

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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 23:45
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

Ask if they will accept a credit card.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 22:29
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.

 

I could not find a US contact for Bechstein and so contacted them directly, in the Czech Republic. They have offered to replace all three pedals at no charge but I have to pay for postage. I think this is tremendously fair. My problem is the invoice they sent is requesting Euro's, which are not really a problem, but offers no way to actually get the money to them, in the Czech Republic. I talked to my bank and the only thing they could offer was an international wire transfer, which is going to cost more than half as much as the postage itself.

If I had a drill press I could probably make that part out of aluminum but I'm not sure that would be strong enough.

So, today's question, does anyone know of a US based Bechstein tech support contact that might make this thing a bit easier to pull off? 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Ask if you can call them. It might have to be real early, or real late, for you.

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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 23:52
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

Good idea, Wim, but I'm not sure I'm willing to send my credit card numbers to Czech Republic in an email.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 23:45
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

Ask if they will accept a credit card.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 22:29
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.

 

I could not find a US contact for Bechstein and so contacted them directly, in the Czech Republic. They have offered to replace all three pedals at no charge but I have to pay for postage. I think this is tremendously fair. My problem is the invoice they sent is requesting Euro's, which are not really a problem, but offers no way to actually get the money to them, in the Czech Republic. I talked to my bank and the only thing they could offer was an international wire transfer, which is going to cost more than half as much as the postage itself.

If I had a drill press I could probably make that part out of aluminum but I'm not sure that would be strong enough.

So, today's question, does anyone know of a US based Bechstein tech support contact that might make this thing a bit easier to pull off? 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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I got Petrov parts a while ago, think  I used Paypal.

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Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 23:52
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

Good idea, Wim, but I'm not sure I'm willing to send my credit card numbers to Czech Republic in an email.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 23:45
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

Ask if they will accept a credit card.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 22:29
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.

 

I could not find a US contact for Bechstein and so contacted them directly, in the Czech Republic. They have offered to replace all three pedals at no charge but I have to pay for postage. I think this is tremendously fair. My problem is the invoice they sent is requesting Euro's, which are not really a problem, but offers no way to actually get the money to them, in the Czech Republic. I talked to my bank and the only thing they could offer was an international wire transfer, which is going to cost more than half as much as the postage itself.

If I had a drill press I could probably make that part out of aluminum but I'm not sure that would be strong enough.

So, today's question, does anyone know of a US based Bechstein tech support contact that might make this thing a bit easier to pull off? 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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Geoff,
I like Wim's suggestion of using a credit card. You will get a better exchange rate than at the bank. Doesn't your credit card have a "virtual card number" feature where at the card's website you can generate a one-time-use number that is different from your real card number plus a specific "card expiration date" as well as a one-time 3 digit security code and can be used only for that one transaction?  In general it also is usable for a credit back on your card if that one transaction gets refunded. That would solve your security concerns.

Other hints: usually at the bottom of the invoice, it will give the bank information for the company. That is where the bank name, address, ID number, Bechstein's account number etc. will be shown. My business bank - Chase - sends wire transfers from my business checking account in Euros for $5 up to (not in the office right now) a certain moderate amount, then there is no charge.  If you want to pursue this type of payment and your bank has a similar service, ask them what information they need to send the money. If you get nowhere with that, I can give you a list of required information for your bank to send a wire transfer. Contact me privately for that.
Joel Rappaport

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Joel Rappaport
Rappaport's Piano Workshop
Round Rock TX
512-255-0440
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 22:29
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.

 

I could not find a US contact for Bechstein and so contacted them directly, in the Czech Republic. They have offered to replace all three pedals at no charge but I have to pay for postage. I think this is tremendously fair. My problem is the invoice they sent is requesting Euro's, which are not really a problem, but offers no way to actually get the money to them, in the Czech Republic. I talked to my bank and the only thing they could offer was an international wire transfer, which is going to cost more than half as much as the postage itself.

If I had a drill press I could probably make that part out of aluminum but I'm not sure that would be strong enough.

So, today's question, does anyone know of a US based Bechstein tech support contact that might make this thing a bit easier to pull off? 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Geoff,

 

Contact:

Glenn Clutter

Bechstein USA

570-337-8113

glenn@bechsteinusa.com

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Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 22:29
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.

 

I could not find a US contact for Bechstein and so contacted them directly, in the Czech Republic. They have offered to replace all three pedals at no charge but I have to pay for postage. I think this is tremendously fair. My problem is the invoice they sent is requesting Euro's, which are not really a problem, but offers no way to actually get the money to them, in the Czech Republic. I talked to my bank and the only thing they could offer was an international wire transfer, which is going to cost more than half as much as the postage itself.

If I had a drill press I could probably make that part out of aluminum but I'm not sure that would be strong enough.

So, today's question, does anyone know of a US based Bechstein tech support contact that might make this thing a bit easier to pull off? 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Yow, what a complicated procedure this turned out to be. My bank wanted $45 to do the transfer. My credit cards would not do international transfers, (Chase & BofA). PayPal will not do transfers to a business. Zelle only does domestic transfers. I finally wound up using TransferWise, (Thank you David T.), which I found to be quite simple. Cost about $3.00. 

Allan G: Glen Clutter never got back to me. A little research reveals that he may now be representing Schimmel. 

Thanks, everyone.

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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2020 22:29
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Bechstein tech support question

11 or 12 year old W. Hoffman upright piano, made by Bechstein. The pot metal casting in the middle practice rail pedal has broken.

 

I could not find a US contact for Bechstein and so contacted them directly, in the Czech Republic. They have offered to replace all three pedals at no charge but I have to pay for postage. I think this is tremendously fair. My problem is the invoice they sent is requesting Euro's, which are not really a problem, but offers no way to actually get the money to them, in the Czech Republic. I talked to my bank and the only thing they could offer was an international wire transfer, which is going to cost more than half as much as the postage itself.

If I had a drill press I could probably make that part out of aluminum but I'm not sure that would be strong enough.

So, today's question, does anyone know of a US based Bechstein tech support contact that might make this thing a bit easier to pull off? 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------