Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Norbert gets his due

Late this afternoon I traveled to a beautiful W. Seattle home overlooking Puget Sound. I was there to tune a piano for a very successful financial planner.

The piano was a gorgeous Estonia concert grand. The service call went well and afterward the owner who is a very accomplished player as well treated me to a mini recital. Man, that piano sounded great and we were both happy.

Before I left he opened a bottle of Italian wine ( not wanting to appear rude I joined him ) and served a plate of various cheeses.

As we sat and looked out at the setting sun over the sound we talked about our kids, the economy, the war and the charming dealer whom he had purchased his piano from, Norbert Marten.

Norbert I have been critical with you but now I must congratulate you on a job well done with this client, good job.

It was a pleasure to make him happy with his piano and to continue the positive Estonia experience you started with him.

This bears mentioning as well, although I didn't get any wine or cheese out of it.

A customer called me to verify everything he was told by his local dealer about the Estonia he was considering. Any issues that I brought up to him had already been covered by the man who helped him, who had been professional and charming. As far as I know, the gentleman hung up the phone and bought the piano.

His dealer was Norbert.

So much for the character assassination theories.

More fair and generous Alex and Rich could not be.

Mikhailoh, stop your attempts at going after Norbert. Is really quite tiresome, give it a rest!

I certainly admire Alex, whom I've met and Rich G. who I've spoken with on a few occasions. But seem top notch guys, but we still only have one side of the story.

I do have a question for Alex or Rich. Say someone out of the area comes into your store, sits down at one of your grand pianos and falls in love with it. So much so that he's willing to buy it on the spot. Now you know where he's from has a dealer that carries the line but after you inform him of that he still, for whatever reason wants to buy the piano from you. Do you sell it to him or tell him sorry can't do, buy from your dealer?

Rich

Sorry for the multiple posts.

Rich

One other point. I know Norbert has been an Estonia dealer for a number of years. Classical Grands I believe has only recently taken on the brand. I wonder if when this person purchased his concert grand whether Classical Grands even carried Estonia at that time?

Rich

Alex-

Sounds like a wonderful evening.

I also think it is very classy of you to pay your respects to Norbert.

RichD,
Actually this gentleman purchased his concert great shortly before Classical Grands took on the Estonia line.

And i really need to say one more thing. In supporting the spirit of Rich's post Norbert felt he had to single me out and attack me. He said some things that really crossed the line. I am in no way trying to make amends with Norbert until he realizes what he has done.

But it is more important to be fair, he earned that critisism but he also earned this praise.

Alex,
Rich,

If this isn't back-handed advertising (for yourself), then I'm at a loss

Okay, folks, move along, nothing to see here, move along, show's over.

This ain't your first rodeo, and you know the answer to that question, so why do you ask it?

I would comment on Rich D's question differently.

Of course, the answer is obvious, and I think there is nothing wrong with selling the piano to that customer if he insists.

The question I would have asked is this: would you inform that customer that there is another dealer for this brand in his home town (or area)?

BTW, as an investigator, you don't want to ask a question that you don't already have the answer to

Sometimes in self-delusion, people cannot see what they are actually doing themselves. People in glass houses should not throw stones. There was a heck a lot of stone throwing recently on this forum...and a lot of shattered glass...don't step on any shards...

GC

C'mon Basso. Rich and Alex were referred to by other posters as making personal attacks on Norbert.

All I said is that this post shows that was not their intention. Were they not fairminded enough to post these positive stories, and indicate the respect they have for him?

There's been enough to disagree about on here.. let's not pick a fight where there is none.

If a visitor comes into my showroom and they find a piano they want then you bet we'll sell it to them.

I always make them aware of the local dealer as well.

Eins,

There is nothing backhanded at all about my post. I basically don't give a damn what anyone thinks of it.

I felt it was important to be fair, that is all.

Absolutely Alex. Nothing wrong with that either.

Jolly,
Maybe some don't know the answer. Also, just to make the point that there are circumstances in which dealers will sell out of there area, even when not soliciting. It' clear from Alex's followup post, that was not the case here. Regards.

Rich

Estonia commercial, take 1,413,288. Action!

penny

p.s. Rich's question is fair in light of Norbert's claim that he doesn't sell to Americans on this side of the border. Thanks for the clarification, Alex!