Pay It Forward

A customer who I’ve only met twice very briefly recently did something for me that was very kind and generous, and I have no way of paying him back. The money I could pay he wouldn’t take. And besides, it’s not so much the monetary aspect as it is the unselfishness, generosity, and thoughtfulness. These are invaluable qualities in a person. How do you repay that?

So, I decided if I can’t pay him back, I’ll pay it forward. Taking the idea from a movie I watched several years ago, “Pay It Forward,” where a young boy is given an assignment in school to think of something to change the world and put it into action. The boy “conjures the notion of paying a favor not back, but forward--repaying good deeds not with payback, but with new good deeds done to three new people.”

In keeping with the pay it forward concept, I am offering a free band instrument repair to three different people each year. These repairs can be anything from a simple adjust and regulate to a complete mechanical overhaul…..whatever the horn needs. There are some catches though:

• The person must bring the horn into the shop him- or herself. No shipping.


• The horn must be worth the repairs needed. I will not make a silk purse out of a pig's ear. The horn must be a quality brand name horn of a reasonable age and in acceptable condition.


• You must determine whether you qualify to receive the “Pay It Forward” deed. We won’t question you about your income or finances (unless you show up in a Lexus!). However, if you can afford it and are just looking for a free repair, it’s on your own conscience. So just consider little Susie and Johnny that will have to quit playing in the middle school band because their parents can’t afford the repair and couldn’t get the free repair because you took it. <End of guilt trip>


• You must pay it forward to three other people in some way.


• We reserve the right to accept or deny any horn brought in for the “Pay It Forward” program.


• Available only to individuals….no schools or organizations.

Posted 8/29/2005 @ 1:18 PM | Band Instrument Repair

Nice thought and it does work as I have done the same. That is not to say I have any character but rather that I probably am a character. Your idea is great though. Hopefully maybe a little good will, will get started or cause others to think about what life is really all about.

Posted by Ken Miller (email) on 8/30/2005 @ 2:52 PM