nickels and dimes do add up, but...

[Piannaman@aol.com]

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Tom,

I charge a flat rate for a basic 1 1/2 hour service call(though I charge 
extra for pitch raises, no matter what).  If I can fit a few odds and ends 
into that time frame, no charge.  I'll even go a few minutes over, but once 
it gets past 15 minutes beyond the 1 1/2 hours, I charge at an hourly rate 
slightly higher than my service call rate.  I never charge for anything I 
don't inform the customer about first, and I ALWAYS make sure they know I did 
extra work whether they pay extra for it or not.

Dave Stahl

In a message dated 5/7/03 12:33:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Tvak@aol.com 
writes:


> List
> 
> I have been wondering how some of you handle the little incidental things 
> that sometimes need to be done on a tuning call.  I find it difficult to 
> charge someone for something that takes very little time, and I like to do 
> something a little extra if I can.  I think it makes the customer feel like 
> he is being taken care of and not being taken advantage of.  But then, 
> where 
> do you draw the line?  
> 
> One place that I've drawn the line, is if the customer asks me to fix 
> something that is bothering him.  I am more inclined to charge him to 
> correct 
> a problem he is aware of and wants remedied.  Even then, if it takes less 
> than 5 minutes, I can't seem to put it on the bill.
> 
> And what about things that perhaps only you have noticed?  Here are some 
> things that one comes across pretty regularly.  Would  anyone care to 
> comment 
> on their policy regarding the following: (on a vertical piano)
>         Tighten a loose hammer butt flange to correct a floppy hammer?  
>         Tighten 3 loose hammer butt flanges?  Five? 
>         Adjust a leaking damper?  Three dampers?  Five?
>         Adjust the lost motion from a damper pedal?
>         Ease a key?  Three keys?  
>         Adjust a backcheck to stop a double-striking hammer?  Three?  Five?
>         Align a hammer to strike all three strings?
>         CLP a sluggish hammer butt?
> 
> Would you:  A) charge him for it?
>             B) just leave it like it is?
>             C) not charge him, but  let him know you took care of the 
> problem 
> for him?
> 
> Just curious how some of you might approach this.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Tom Sivak
>     
> 



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