Mechanical Musical Instrument Transportation

Transportation of our mechanical music instruments is very important
and there are very good companies and very bad companies, as I have
just experienced.  My normal transporter with whom I move about twelve
instruments a year was not available for an interstate transit so they
referred me to a competitor based on their national routing territory
(but whose charges were much higher).

This nationally advertised piano mover took a month to pickup the piano
and then another month to deliver it.  But they damaged it badly in
transit and denied all responsibility and would not return phone calls.
When I did speak with the owner's wife, she was unbelievably hateful
and hung up on me before I could ask for a claim.

There are multiple witnesses at the pickup location (a reputable piano
store) stating there was no damage when the company picked it up, the
transporter did not complete a Condition Report or Damage Report, and
he spoke to no one about any damage.

However, three days later, based on the date and time stamp, he took
a picture of the damage and alleged that the picture was taken before
he loaded it on his truck.  The piano was already sitting on the grand
board of the transporter, of course, and is clear in the picture.  And,
the local driver and the long-haul driver both witnessed the damage
when the trailer door was opened at destination and the long-haul
driver admitted that the piano was damaged by another piano rubbing
against it.

What is the worst risk, but did not cause damage, was that the
transporter does arrange for local drivers to deliver the instruments
to the end location once a city destination is reached.  This local
driver showed up with the 5'8" Ampico reproducing grand in the back
of a pickup truck with four straps to hold it upright in the center of
the bed!  The drawer front and other wood parts were off the piano and
loose in the pickup bed.

So please consider this lesson and don't let this happen to you.
First, the reputation of a instrument transporter is most important.
Plus, ask around your local groups or place a post on MMDigest for
qualified and professional movers.

Always, always demand a detailed condition report of any scratches or
damage on loading and have it _signed_ by the shipper or agent.  Then
you use that condition report at the destination to verify the
condition.  Without the condition report, unprofessional transporters
will not honor their damage and refuse to repair.  It is easy to get
lax and not demand the report that is many times part of the Transport
Order.  This step is essential.

Then you must also give very detailed instruction on padding,
strapping, positioning, etc., when you place the order and copy it on
the transport order for the driver to see, since little communication
passes down to the driver.  Plus, for good relationship building and
to show appreciation for a job well done by the long haul drivers,
I always give a tip.  Plus, I have recommended the good companies to
hundreds of people in this hobby and industry over the past years.

The companies with good reputation, professionalism, and responsibility
are the only ones to use -- these instruments are too rare and special
to have them mishandled and damaged.

Ken Long
Dallas, Texas