[GBW] Re: washing family documents

["Aaron Salik" <aaron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Excellent discussion.

>From our point of view as a supplier it is always a challenge, as there is a
group of professionals who know exactly what to use and how to use it, and
those that aren't professionally trained but know what they want to do.  

It is this second group that calls us up and almost pleads for instructions,
recommendations, etc. and it comes down to how accommodating we should be,
knowing that they don't know what they are doing.  Always I preface my
recommendations with the statement "that you will do more harm than good,
and if it's valuable I will be happy to recommend a trained conservator,"
but this not what they want.  I have provided answers to people in both
directions, sometimes telling them that I simply won't make a recommendation
for them, and other times I have.  When I do not make one I cannot tell you
the amount of frustration, and displeasure it is met with, so I must say
that if I have a bit of knowledge into what they are doing I provide it.  I
do preface it that I am not a conservator, the products do not come with
instructions, etc, etc, but it is a difficult if not impossible balance to
find.

We sell a fairly large amount of Chloramine T on an annual basis, but does
this mean that we stop?  The people that are using it (and there are some
fairly well respected places out there that still do) will simply purchase
it elsewhere if we stop carrying it.  Forums like this are great to change
trends, but it only reaches those that make an effort to seek them out and
expand their knowledge.  

Regards,
Aaron Salik
 
Talas
20 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-219-0770 Phone
212-219-0735 Fax
http://talasonline.com



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