Tuning Rates are subjective on this list.

[Jeannie Grassi]

Jay,
You make an excellent point here.  The cost of living here in the Seattle
area is extremely high.  The average home is running more than $200K and In
my particular area they run much higher than that.  Groceries, gasoline,....
EVERYTHING, is more expensive.  It only follows that piano tunings are
priced to fit into this economy.
Discussions on prices are helpful if they are kept in the context of local
economy and they are mentioned along with the time involved in doing the
job.  Rather than being surprised at varying prices, I am often surprised at
the varying times different people consider acceptable to do the assorted
tasks required of us.
When I am faced with a job that I don't do regularly, or that I haven't ever
done, I refer to both Newton Hunt's guide (available through PTG) and one
that Joe Garrett did a few years ago (may be available through Randy Potter,
but not sure.)

Jeannie Grassi, RPT
mailto:jgrassi@silverlink.net
Bainbridge Island, WA



 -----Original Message-----
 Of Jay Mercier
 Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 1998 7:38 PM
 To: pianotech@ptg.org
 Subject: Tuning Rates are subjective on this list.


> Since this is not only a national but international usernet list, I'd
> say that all fees mentioned on this list are subjective.  The comment
> below - what part of the country is this applied?  - New York City?
> L.A.?  Maybe even a "smaller" city such as Cedar Rapids, IA.
> I'm seeing
> a lot of the $75 dollar range on up here guys.  If I charged
> that rate
> where I live, I'd be out of business within 1 month!!!  I charge $50
> dollars for a tuning and $10 per pitch raise.  The average
> house in my
> town costs between $40,000 - $75,000 dollars, most people drive 5-10
> year-old automobiles and your average "going out to dinner"
> costs around
> $20 bucks for a family of four.  $50 dollars for a tuning
> around here is
> much more than "ends meat."  Just my 2 cents worth.
>
> Jay Mercier
> Piano Tech / Teacher
> Glenwood, MN