Entitled Dad
Two years ago before my wife passed, I was commissioned to build a ¾ size violin. The guy that was asking was a real j###. Demanding the best material and wanted the instrument by next week.
I said that I’m sorry, but the materials alone will take a week to get here. He did say he really needed it for his daughter the next week. Then you may want to settle on a less expensive instrument. I have plenty of used and repaired good quality instruments available. He then went on a rant about having nothing but the best. I said ok, but a handmade instrument will cost about 1200.00 $US.
He said fine, and said he would be back next week to get the instrument. He also refused to place a deposit for material and sign a contract.
Since he did not sign a contract or provide a deposit, I rummaged through my spare wood bin. I did find a back for a viola that was missing the neck button. It was tiger maple and you could use it for a ¾ size instrument. I was a highly flamed piece of wood big enough to make a one piece back out of. I thought why not and got started carving and shaping the parts needed. I made the fingerboard, pegs and tailpiece from reclaimed Rosewood from the Chicago Theater.
When he came in the next week I showed him the progress and told him about the materials I had used. He then started complaining that the instrument was not finished, and that he should get a discount for it being late. I said I am sorry, but the materials came from my shop were all high quality. No discount will be offered. After a bit of huffing by him and me not giving an inch, I asked if he still wanted the instrument. He said yes but it better be finished by the next time he comes in.
Back to work and I was putting in sixteen hour days to get the instrument finished, finely the day came when the instrument was finished. A few days later he showed up wanting the instrument. While I was waiting for him to show up I had the instrument on display.
One girl about ten years old would always stare at the instrument and ask to play it for her lesson. I allowed her to use it for her lesson in the music store next to mine, as I knew her instructor and was not worried about the instrument being damaged.
About a week later, Entitled Dad shows up at the same this girl’s lesson is scheduled for.
While she was staring at the instrument again, he started demanding that I sell it to him at 75% off due to the instrument being late and not the material that he wanted. I was a bit stunned that he would talk this way in front of other customers and in such condensing tone. After he finely stopped ranting, I said, “Ok, first you did not put deposit on the instrument, second you did not sign a contract for the commission”. Finally I said that this instrument was not his, yes I made it for him at his request. Since you do not wish to pay for the labor and materials the instrument is mine to do with as I please.
I then called the little girl up to the counter and handed her the instrument. I also stated that the half size instrument she currently had was all that I needed for payment. She turned to entitled dad and stated: You should have got one from evilbay.
Entitled Dad was livid; I asked him if there was anything else that I could help him with? He stated no. He then walked out of my shop. He should have done that anyway. A week later the girl comes in for her lesson and ran up to me and thanked me for the instrument, she stated that she went from 6th chair to second chair. Moving ahead of entitled dad’s daughter in the violin section of their band.

Ironic how some things just seem to work out. My friend and business partner still laughs about this every time she comes in for a lesson.

Is this a true story?

Yes it is. now I am chuckling again thinking about it. Thanks for the