Tuning Gone Bad

[Bill Ballard]

At 8:19 PM -0400 5/24/02, BobRussellpiano@AOL.COM wrote:
>I rarely charge for a return trip. It's especially important not to 
>argue about a return fee over the phone. Simply make arrangements to 
>return and correct the problem. One thing I always tell costumers is 
>that,"I can only promise that the piano will be perfectly in tune 
>that day. Whether it holds for one day or six months mostly depends 
>on humidity stability." When you have a problem like this you should 
>try to turn a negative into a positive by discussing climate control 
>with the client. Even if they decide not to invest in stability you 
>made them responsible for their piano and how it sounds.
>Bob Russell

These are the facts of life for a piano's tuning. It also helps to 
refer to the the pitch of the piano as you left it (ie. @ A440 either 
on your copy of the invoice, or on a card inside the piano), and then 
point to the current pitch levels. (I measure the A440, alleged, on 
D2,A2,D3,A3 and A5.) I remember Lou Tasciotti giving a CAUT class at 
the Philly National in '91, in which he said, if there's ever a 
complaint with a practice or rehearsal piano, simply do the tuning 
over again, no questions asked, and promptly.

Of course that's a university situation, in which the tuning was on 
the school's nickel. Terry on the other hand has to put up with 
everyone telling him to make the service call on his nickel. I 
believe that the customer deserves the benefit of the doubt, at least 
in the first instance. How would you expect to get back in there and 
find out what's going on if you and the owner are arguing over the 
phone. But after you find out, then the customer should be educated, 
and if the same thing happens, remind them of their education that 
next time. ("No, Mrs. Helmsley,  the bass did not go out of tune, the 
octave above it did.")

IMHO, and on your nickel.

Bill Ballard RPT
NH Chapter, P.T.G.

"Can you check out this middle C?. It "whangs' - (or twangs?)
     Thanks so much, Ginger"
     ...........Service Request
+++++++++++++++++++++