Is this normal procedure?

[Jay/Deb Mercier]

Maybe that's the situation where you live, but where I live - principals,
the school board, teachers and tuners do care.  -Jay


As to what their tunings would sound like ... who cares?
>Certainly not the school board.  As long as the price is right, they're
happy.
>The principal?  Doubtful.  He/she is watching the bottom line and doesn't
play
>those pianos anyway.  As long as the contractor comes in on budget, doesn't
>upset the school's schedule and gets done on time.  The teachers?  Maybe.
But
>even if they can tell the difference between a piano that is in tune and
one
>that isn't, do you really think the principal will listen to their
complaints?
>She/he has been listening to complaints from teachers throughout his/her
long
>career.  And ignoring most of them.
>
>
>
>> There has to be some reason why they will work for so little, and the
only
>> one I can see is that their work and attitudes won't support a higher
fee.
>
>Of course there is a reason.  And you've nailed it.  Frank didn't say that
this
>would be the best for the school, for the teachers, for the students or for
our
>profession.  He just said that this was the way that would make money for
>someone in this situation.  And, sadly, this -- or some variation of it --
is
>all too often the way it works out.
>
>
>> Their work will reflect badly on you, and word spreads from teachers to
>> their friends and students. I heard about a study once which showed that
a
>> satisfied customer told two or three people, but a dissatisfied one told
10.
>
>Again, sadly, I've been around the mulberry bush too many times to believe
>this.  I've encountered too many folks who couldn't tune their way out of a
>paper piano who were doing just fine, thank you very much.  At least
>financially.
>
>
>> As discontent trickles back up the purchasing hierarchy, I doubt very
much
>> that they will take your word on the $10,000 of follow-up work.
>
>Of course they will, you're the contractor.  You're the expert.  Assuming
that
>they will even consider for a moment any follow up work at all.  Let alone
>$10k's worth.  In most cases it would be difficult to get authorization for
>$100's worth.
>
>
>> Luckily for
>> us, most school systems make choices like finding a piano tuner on a
local
>> level, so that abuses which will succeed with federal contracts will not
>> work as well with schools.
>
>You must work for very enlightened school districts.  I'd guess that a
survey
>would indicate that most are not.  At least not the larger ones.
>
>
>> Some tactics deserve to fail on a colossal scale.
>>
>> Susan
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Susan,
>
>You're absolutely right.  Some tactics do deserve to fail.  Unfortunately,
all
>too often, they don't.  And why don't they?  Because we don't care.  When
was
>the last time you, or any other piano tuner on this list, actively
participated
>in a school board meeting.  Not having kids is no excuse.  School board
meetings
>are open to the public.  We're paying for them -- dearly -- it's your money
they
>are spending!  When was the last time you (The generic 'you,' Susan.  Not
you
>personally.  I know you care.) actively lobbied a school board member on
behalf
>of the music department.  You can bet that the football parents get their
word
>in there!  When did you take the time to study the qualifications and
interests
>of people running for positions on the school board.
>
>The condition of music in our schools rests on the shoulders of parents and
>voters -- you and me among them -- who simply don't give a damn.
>
>There.  I've spouted off enough now.  I feel much better.
>
>Regards,
>
>Del
>
>
>