Dear MMD:  As one who has known con men all my life, and seen them
operate, something indeed sounds fishy.

First of all, I want to say to Mr. Baxter: if this fellow has offered
to give you your money back in full, right now, take it!

His patter has got you thinking with stars in your eyes with the offer
of a _Steinway_.  You will be back on the hook, waiting and waiting for
a miraculous instrument to be produced.  Then more patter about it not
being "right", etc. etc.

Get in your car, drive six hours, surprise him, call his bluff.
Don't even think of asking him for photos of the piano in its shattered
state, or about inquiring about the poor fellow with the broken leg,
calling him, and getting a follow-up from a doctor.  Sounds to me like
the tech has an acute case of "crocodile tears."

See the tech in person, demand a refund, and head home before he can
convince you to have him "restore" a better piano.  You've already
waited months for a piano you'll never hear.  Rest assured, there are
too many Duo-Arts and too many honest technicians for you to waste any
more time and grief with this guy.

Happy Holidays!

Mark Forer