It's Gonna Be Good..slightly OT

[larudee@pacbell.net]

Terry,

I'm not nitpicking.  I just don't think you did them or yourself a favor.  I get
requests like this, too, but I charge enough so that the difference between
buying the part(s) and doing the entire job makes the latter option more
attractive.  In your case, for example, I would probably have charged around $50
for the string and another $30 if they wanted me to install it.  If they decided
they wanted to save the $30, the $50 would at least cover the "consulting"
costs.

Paul

Farrell wrote:

> Oh, good grief Paul. If I counted every minute for every job I do I would
> say no to many of them. Yes, I have thought about all that. Opening up my
> box of strings, digging out the right one, rolling them back up, etc. easily
> took 15 minutes or so. Yes, I should have charged them $15 for my time, plus
> the $15 I charged for the string.
>
> But I had fun. They were nice. I won't be surprised if they call me later to
> put the string on and tune the piano. They may become good clients. They may
> tell their friend and neighbors about the only piano tuner that would help
> them. I just think there are often some intangible benefits to helping
> someone out. What goes around comes around, my wife says, and I agree.
>
> This type of thing happens maybe once every six months to a year. I can
> afford that investment. What do you do when you get the call from someone
> seeking advice on buying a new/used piano? I often spend a good 15 to 30
> minutes (sometimes more) discussing what kind of piano might meet their
> needs, what to look for, where to look, etc. There are many similar
> situations that arise in our profession. Some techs will just say no and
> save themselves the aggravation, and some will extend a helping hand -
> perhaps they will waste their time, or perhaps they will be rewarded with a
> good client. I simply try to help folks with their pianos in any way I can.
>
> Terry Farrell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <larudee@pacbell.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2001 10:53 AM
> Subject: Re: It's Gonna Be Good..slightly OT
>
> > Terry,
> >
> > How long did this visit take, and considering how much you made off the
> sale of
> > the string, how does that work out as a hourly rate?
> >
> > Farrell wrote:
> >
> > > My instructions simply included that warning that significant training
> is
> > > required to know how to cut the wire, customize the wrap length, etc.
> and
> > > that someone with training and experience should do this. She says her
> > > friend "know-how-to-fix-piano".
> > >
> > > They came by - husband, wife, and cute little daughter. Spoke broken
> > > english - recently off the boat from Asia somewhere. Very nice people.
> Man
> > > was pretty slick. Impressed me. To figure diameter, he measured the
> > > circumference of the two adjacent strings (missing string is monocord)
> with
> > > a piece of paper rolled around the strings. He then measured the paper,
> and
> > > converted from millimeters to inches for me. The note was G1, and he
> came up
> > > with 0.189" and 0.169" for the two adjacent strings. Not knowing my
> sizes
> > > right off, I went to a spinet in my shop (their piano is a console I
> think)
> > > and measured the diameter of G1 - 0.185". I told him I had to question
> the
> > > accuracy of his measurements, but that they did indeed seem to be close
> to
> > > what might be expected. I sold him a universal of 0.179" diameter. Maybe
> his
> > > measurements are good. Pretty impressive that the lower string came out
> > > bigger than the upper one.
> > >
> > > I have to admit that I did consider saying no to selling the string. But
> I
> > > had sold treble strings to a chainsaw repair place (for cleaning fuel
> > > lines), felt to a sports clothes embroidery place (for some sewing
> machine
> > > oiling thingee), etc., etc. First time for everything and I guess I feel
> > > that I learn more if I just go for something. I do realize this one may
> have
> > > a few pitfalls awaiting! We'll see!
> > >
> > > They just bought the piano and know it needs tuning. Why they didn't
> just
> > > have me stick it in when I go there to tune is beyond me. Perhaps her
> friend
> > > will tune it for her. We'll just have to wait and see.
> > >
> > > Terry Farrell
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Phil Bondi" <tito@PhilBondi.com>
> > > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > > Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 2:43 PM
> > > Subject: Re: It's Gonna Be Good..slightly OT
> > >
> > > > Are we guessing at the gauge or is she bringing the broken wire with
> her?
> > > >
> > > > There must be a God..I'm agreeing with Wim again..I've sold a few
> elbows
> > > > myself to people who knew how to put them or..or so they
> claimed...I've
> > > sold
> > > > a few keytops, too.
> > > >
> > > > Terry, are you going to give instructions on how to do this, or are
> you
> > > just
> > > > gonna sell it to the customer?
> > > >
> > > > Damn I wish I lived closer....!,
> > > >
> > > > Phil
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >