CAUT

Hi all! Asking for advice in how to navigate this situation. Schools are high schools, not college, but some of the same issues apply:

School A is attempting to revitalize a sadly neglected music program. I'm doing tons of work on their pianos to make up for 25 years of neglect. The only grand they have is a mid-50s Weber 4'9". They've been a great customers--service contract, extra shop work, the works. They have a nice performance space but the Weber is drastically undersized to fill it and is only a marginally OK piano anyways.

School B has an old Steinway O they are looking to get rid of because they are going to be given a newer piano from the local community college. Not a customer of mine--they use a different tech (who is a nice guy and does good work and might see this post)

The band directors were talking at a local convention, and director A mentioned they were looking for a grand that is actually sufficient for their performance space. Director B mentioned they were looking to get rid of their Steinway. Director A asked Director B to hire me to do an inspection and valuation (state laws regulate how to dispose of school property worth over a certain amount) to start the process of potentially buying the piano.

Piano is trashed. Case beat up, lid splitting, massive soundboard crack under the bridge, bad quality rebuild done 40 years ago, etc. It will hold a tune and that's about all that can be said for it. My valuation is basically "worthless unless its rebuilt". Now Director B is asking me to sit on that info and NOT send it to Director A. 

Normally I would say my fiduciary duty is to my customer--the one who is paying me. Which is school B. But since this all started at the request of director A, and he is my actual customer in all of this, I don't want to see this Piano Shaped Object show up and suddenly become my problem. How would you navigate this quagmire of conflict of interest?

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Jonathan Cleghorn, MME
Iron Range Piano Co.
Serving Duluth and Northeastern MN
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I would say the person who paid for the report gets the report. Which they apparently have. Person A can ask for the report. If they ask you simply tell them that person B paid for the report and has it. It is person B decision on whether or not to share it.

Jonathan, if the schools are in the same district, you are actually working for the taxpayers of that district. If so, they are the ones that paid for this. Tell both band directors what you found and let the chips fall as they may.

Interesting that the replies run the entire gamut of possibilities. 

I think in this situation, I would strongly encourage Director A to personally examine the piano before making any decision. I would be open and honest that Director B has paid for the report and has the right to share or not share the report, but that I can't share it myself. If B still refuses to share the report, A should perceive there is a reason why. You could also mention generically the kinds of things you look at when examining a piano. Perhaps a checklist that would apply to any piano.  

I hope that helps. 

The Truth is always the best course of action. It sounds like it will have to come out sooner or later in order to dispose of the piano. You are in a tough spot but I believe you have an ethical obligation to tell Director A the piano has major defects and is not worth taking . He can ask Director B for the report or go see the piano In many cases property owned by entities such as schools, government agencies, police, fire are disposed at auctions with conditions listed "as is" .