I can't understand how a piano that hasn't been tuned in 3-5 years could
still sound great. How stable can the environment be? Even with humidity
control, there is bound to be small oscillations in temperature and
humidity that will move the pitch over a period of 3-5 years.
It just doesn't make sense to me.
Corte Swearingen
Chicago
Greg Newell
<gnewell@ameritec To: phil@philbondi.com, Pianotech
h.net> <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent by: cc:
pianotech-bounces Subject: Re: no charge to good steady customers
@ptg.org
10/07/2003 03:10
PM
Please respond to
Pianotech
Phil,
I don't think it's an issue of being fair to the tech community
since they are not my paying customers here. I do this type of thing fairly
regularly. If you wish to keep her as a steady customer you can't charge
her when service isn't needed. There is a corollary in almost any other
service industry. Think of what your mechanic charges you and how you'd
feel if he did so whether you needed anything or not. You've obviously
thought this through and in my opinion your thoughts are right on target.
In general I usually ask first time customers how they intend to
use their piano. If they respond that it's just for piano lessons and their
budget doesn't seem to be "sky's the limit" then I may even stray from the
6 month tuning schedule and recommend something less like once a year or
even every other if they seem to have a piano in a stable environment (A/C
in summer and added humidity in winter) It's not unusual for me to visit
customers whom I haven't seen in 3-5 years who's piano still sounds great!
I end up doing exactly what you describe. A quick touch up and a general
looking over followed by a token fee. Seems that those folk are some of the
most active in giving me referrals too!
Greg
At 07:00 AM 10/7/2003, you wrote:
Last Friday was a scheduled appt. with a very faithful every 6 months
residential customer - Baldwin Acro(newer Console model) - DC
installed.
When I arrived, this client was as gracious as ever - said the piano
really didn't sound bad at all to her.
..she wasn't kidding.
I probably could have done more harm than good if I tuned the whole
thing! - it was spot-on with the exception of a few top-end
unisons..I touched them up for her, and told her 'no charge' today.
She was more than willing to pay 'something' for my time, and I
probably should..my gut feeling was not to charge her, so I didn't..I
wasn't there more than 10 minutes, and 1/2 of that time was spent
putting that darn lid back on(2 pins on the bass side as opposed to a
'piano' hinge in back..uugh).
I'm not looking for a pat on the back here..just curious if this is
common practice amungst my peers..or do you truly feel I am not being
fair to the tech. community.
curious this morning,
Phil Bondi(FL)
phil@philbondi.com
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Greg Newell
Greg's piano Forté
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net
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