Andy Taylor wrote:

> Although a homemade coin piano can make as good music as the original
> ones can, I think the webmasters should _require_ the add writer to
> plainly state the coin piano's mechanism's origin.  Just because the
> piano itself is an antique, doesn't mean the whole thing is.... [snip]
>
> Such a builder will plainly state where the mechanism came from, and
> it should be a advertising requirement.  These machines should be
> sold for what they are, without making the buyer thinking they are
> getting an original machine.


Sorry Andy, but I disagree.  It is _not_ the webmaster's role to police
the ads, nor is it his/her responsibility to do a background check on
sellers and their merchandise.

The disclaimer that has appeared at my web site from day one reads:

 "Ads will be accepted on a good faith basis without verification.
  It is recommended that buyers request detailed information from
  sellers concerning items for sale, and, when possible, make a physical
  inspection prior to purchase.  The administrator makes no guarantees
  about the ad or the advertiser."

It is impossible for me to check out every advertiser.  I leave it up
to the individuals to make their own inquiries and decisions concerning
possible purchases.  Most people would object to my, or anyone else's,
interference anyway.

More importantly, I do not presume to know the desires and preferences
of buyers and sellers.  Although one buyer may want to know, for
example, the origin of a mechanism, another buyer could care less.

To reiterate, it is the responsibility of the _buyer_, not the advert-
ising medium host, to ask questions concerning a seller's merchandise
and business practices.

Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange     * Buy - Sell - Trade *
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~brite/