Mjacobucci@cs.com writes: > When I come upon a neglected instrument (several years since being > tuned) I always attempt to warn the customer before hand (in fact mostly > during the intial phone call) that it may need several tunings in order to > remain at pitch and in tune.... Explaining > the necessity sometimes sounds a little squirrelly though. What is the most > honorable way to handle this? Mark, When you say "honorable" I assume you mean fair and straightforward. I haven't found that clients are surprised when I tell them, in the first phone conversation, that a piano which has not had regular maintenance (at least once a year) sometimes requires a little additional time for me to stabilize the tension at standard pitch before I can do a fine tuning that will stay put. I tell them that my regular tuning fee is $XX, plus any additional time for the pre-tuning, and that that extra time very seldom exceeds [insert your rate for one hour]. I charge only for what it takes. After the tuning, I mention the need for regular, at least annual, service, and suggest retuning in six months for at least this time. If the tuner is clear in his/her own mind that the extra time is the result of lack of necessary service [I almost said "neglect", but that is unnecessarily pejorative], it becomes obvious to both tuner and client why it is fair [and honorable] to charge a little more for the extra effort. You mentioned "extra tunings." If the piano is properly pre-tuned, it should sound absolutely fine six months later [given stable humidity, of course]. I believe Al Sanderson says that a piano may be fine-tuned when within 5 cents. I think this is WAAY too wide, and suggest quick passes until it is within 1-2 cents of wherever you want it. An experienced tuner can get most pianos to this point (I am assuming standard pitch in any but the most extreme circumstances) in 20-45 minutes, so it is more cost-effective for the client than retuning in a few days or weeks. If return visits are required, I would suggest more focus on efficient pre-tuning. Good luck, Bob Davis Stockton, CA
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