Got burned (was voicing with VODKA)

[Clyde Hollinger]

Friends:

It sounds like Frank doesn't mention buzzes if the client doesn't, but
Keith always does, if I read his post correctly.  Maybe I'm halfway down
the middle.  Frequently (not always) I will ask the client when I
arrive, "Other than the tuning, is there anything else you would like me
to check while I'm here?"  I do sometimes recommend extra work before it
is mentioned by the client.

Regarding your last paragraph, Frank, there are some clients you can do
without.  Some of you on the list may remember my post many months ago
about a guy who called me, whose Kawai vertical had received no
attention for 12 years, asked me questions I'd never been asked before,
wanted to come take a look at my shop (I don't have one) and maybe meet
me over coffee or lunch, I guess so he could evaluate me.  After the
initial phone call I heard nothing more from him.

Several months later when I came to his name on the waiting list I gave
him a call (I really didn't want to).  He said I was his choice, but not
now; too much money is owed him.  My conclusion, right or wrong, is that
he enjoyed the challenge of trying to search out the best technician;
the piano obviously isn't all that important, since it was ignored for
12 years.

Clyde Hollinger

> Another subject:
> 
> Hey, I got burned again on a voicing problem. I tuned a Kawai with lots
> of false beats in the top.  There were some bad strings in the bass, but
> overall, a good sound, better than most.
> 
> The customer calls and says there is buzzing in about ten strings from
> E4 on down.  I have her play some unisons, they were good except for a
> mismatched unison in the bass.  Then I had her play some octaves, all
> good.
> 
> Over the phone, it's hard to hear buzzing because the phone only passes
> voice frequencies, but I could hear some buzzing.  I ignored it durng
> the tuning  becuase most folks don't seem to notice it..it's very faint.
> 
> I explained that there may be some voicing problems from what I could
> hear and perhaps some of the strings were bad. It did not sound like a
> tuning problem and would take a little work.
> 
> So now she's calling the dealer and I suspect I'll never see her again.
> I can't understand why people refuse to try to work out a problem.
> Perhaps they feel that tuning solves all problems. I can see how you
> full-service techs have an advantage...you fix what needs fixing.
> 
> I should have been tipped-off that she'd be a pain when she said her
> piano teacher said never to pay over $65 for a tuning. I charge $80
> minimum for first time clients, which seems about normal for my area.
> 
> I feel better now ( well, only a little better).
>
> Frank Cahill