Hello MMD'ers,  Ordering parts from suppliers and supposedly defraud-
ing them with phony letterheads is kind of a silly description.

I remember years ago, I was seriously interested in becoming a 'Tube
Bender', which is a person who makes neon signs.  This at one time, was
a sacred, protected profession, and was handed down from father to son.

I think that when you 'walk the walk and do the talk', it makes things
and ordering parts easier than submitting a phony card.  When they
ask, "Who is this for?" you tell them it is "Joe's Piano Service".  I
know of many piano tuners (and good ones, too!) who work 'out of their
hip pocket' as a sideline.

Then, it seems that all of a sudden, neon made a huge comeback.  Tube
benders seemed to be a dying breed, and in order for suppliers to sell
their product, they had to find new blood.  Also there were new
technology tools to make the trade easier.  This attitude just doesn't
happen in the piano profession, it is in _every_ profession.

If you have the drive to learn a new trade, *do it!*  If you let a
counter sales clerk (or jerk) try to discourage you from learning
something you really wanted to do, you probably wouldn't be doing what
you are doing today.  You just keep knocking on other doors.

I like to see new blood come in my shop and ask questions and want
the tools (electronics), especially young ones.  I enjoy showing them
techniques and how to do things.  Who knows, they may be your next
employees! (And they learned from the best!)

Everyday it bothers me to see many of these young kids who, when the
batteries die in their Nintendos, are totally lost and seemingly have
no interest in anything.  I remember the old men who helped me when I
was ten years old.  Everyone reading this I'm sure will relate to this.

Regards, Julian Burke