Charging for pitch raises

[Carl Root]

Jon Page wrote:
> If the piano is flat, I will p/r & rough tune for my normal fee and advise
> a follow-up tuning in a few weeks to a month and explain that it will be
> drifting out of tune
(snip)
> I could have scheduled it then or they could call. This impresses upon
> them the idea of frequent tuning. If they called fine, they are the better
> off; if not, then they are not a serious customer for me to bend over
> backwards for. I also am able to remain on schedule by not interjecting
> extra time on one piano. It was not my fault that the piano was flat so I did
> not worry that I could not put more time into it.
> 
> More times than not, the quick service call is sufficient for them and
> they do not get it re-tuned until they feel it needs it again. 
(snip)
> Here again, first inquiring of the use of the piano: no lessons, parties
> or accompanying.

I heartily endorse this approach.  Get your PR time down to fifteen
minutes or less and you will be able to spend enough time on the next
pass through to get a fairly acceptable tuning for most clients without
short changing yourself.  As Jon says, determine what it's used for.

If you charge extra for a PR, many clients will remember the total fee
as the tuning fee, no matter what you tell themand that may discourage
future service.  I have found that you can often come back for a fine
tuning within a month or two if you explain that your first visit is to
make up for all the missed tunings over the years.  After the piano has
settled out, it will be ready for a fine tuning.

Good for the piano, good for the client, good for you.  The short term
compromise distributed equally turns out to be in everyone's long term
best interest if it results in regular service.

Carl Root, RPT