to master or not to master

[Frank Cahill]

Dmsaerts wrote:
> 
> Dear Frank Cahill,
> There are many ways to help a customer. I help customers all the time and
> every time for the past 18 years. However I have never seen the need to resort
> to the unconventional techniques described earlier. The best possible job is
> always the one that outlives the customer who owns the piano. It will be the
> cheapest in the long run. America is used to payment plans. Give a "poor"
> customer a break this way. I bought my home piano for $50
> It holds tune and is 75 year old. If you want to help a customer sell them one
> of those pianos that hold tune, trade their piano and rebuilt it conventional.
> $100 for a CA job is by the way far from what I call a bargain nor is it
> called helping. Many technicians blame bad maintenance on the ignorance of the
> customer, but it is more likely the tuner/technician who is to blame. The
> customer is responsible for the frequency of the maintenance, the tuner for
> the quality of the work. Part of your letter ones again proves the need for
> apprentice ships and the instruction of conventional repair methods. About
> university budgets, some are good some are non existent. UNT is pretty good.
> 
> Cyrillus Aerts I.P.T.
> University of North Texas


OK, thanks. Well we just don't agree, but that's ok!!  It's just from my
viewpoint, few people will spend $$ for a repin job on a junker. When I
memtion a price they say, without hesitation, "NO WAY". So i do what I
can.

I can't sell them a piano. I don't rebuild, and doubt I ever will. Don't
have the space and renting space in this high cost area is prohibitive. 

Now, $100 for a CA job?  I'm telling the truth, around here (Washington
DC) thats a bargain.  My rates are midrange.  I know a few tech who
charge over $100 a tuning...and they are busy.


Yes, apprenticeships are great, but here in the Washington D.C. area,
there are few shops..I know of three. Yet our chapter is the second
largest in the coountry. No way three shops could absorb all the
associates.  So I depend on PTG members and PTG conventions for
continuing education.  

Don't worry too much about me..I continue to move forward and always
treat customers in an honest manner.

See you at a convention!

Frank
-- 

Frank Cahill
Associate Member
Northern Va