I would like to input my gut feeling on Tim Baxter's piano tragedy.
I am a firm believer of the adage that "we cause our own problems."
Although Tim seemed to have been a victim of circumstance, I feel
that if he goes on with this scene (as in allowing the dangling of
a Steinway as bait for the continuance of his relationship with the
"technician") he will be the cause of more negative experiences.
That is my humble opinion.

Of course, the promise of the return of his money is only that,
a promise.  Pursuing this may also be a cause of additional negative
experiences.  So, one asks, which of the two is the less negative
choice?

Remember this: if a person is out to get you, there is little that
you can do once it gets started.  The time to prevent it is at the very
beginning.  The bilker is experienced for he/she does it every day and
lives his/her life in that mode.  You, on the other hand, assuming that
you are an honest person, do not live your life trying to always cheat
the other person.  So it is my opinion that you are less versed in the
intricacies of cheating and, having no experience, will be bilked to
the fullest extent.

Scams abound in our life.  Used car salesman (not all, but some - lest
I insult the honest ones), telephone prizes,  mail prizes, etc.  Just
look around .  They exist because there are always some of us who,
because of fantasy or greed, believe that we can get that unattainable
something.  Think about the Steinway.  A clear reference to your
fantasy of owning one.  Think about it and make your decision with
knowing eyes.

Negative experiences can be very draining and can affect our rela-
tionships with others.  I have lived my life learning from others.
So I have kept my negative experiences to a minimum.  I have met
technicians, and good ones at that, who, in spite of their skills,
always have to cheat another in order to feel that they have done
a good job, in their minds.  This is something that I will never
understand.

Sorry to be so negative in my comments, but a little negativity here
may save much later on.

Andy LaTorre