In a message dated 1/10/00 2:28:09 AM !!!First Boot!!!, RptBob1@AOL.COM writes: << I have been using the dollar a cent for pitch raises for years now. It is a very concise way to explain to the customer what the raise is going to entail in so far as time is concerned. I've never had anyone balk at the extra charge. I do sometimes lower the final expected fee if the pitch raise went particularly well because the piano was in really good condition. Quoting the dollar-per-cent fee and then actually charging less is also good customer relations. When's the last time your friendly plumber did that for you? And if he did, didn't you appreciate the gesture? Bob Bergantino, RPT Willoughby Hills, Ohio >> The problem I have with charging a dollar per cent, is at what pitch do you measure the piano to determine how much extra to charge. During the normal seasonal change, A 4 might be 5 cents flat, but A3, (if is above the break) might be 15 cents flat. In the summer, I have found some strings just above the break as much as 10 cents sharp. Do you charge extra to bring those down? What is you "basic" rate, and how flat (or sharp), does it have to be before you charge extra? When your charge is going to increase, do you increase the $1 per cent, or have you been charging a $1 per cent ever since you started tuning? Wim
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