ethics question

[Dean May]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
Robin wrote:
While it is true that we are "competitors" for business, it also true that
our common "foe" is actually the limits of the piano's abilities to sound
and feel wonderful.


It seems to me that our biggest foe is apathy on the part of multitudes of
piano owners to keep their instruments maintained. We have to do a better
job of communicating the importance of regular maintenance. And we must have
systems in place for periodic reminders for call backs. If the average piano
owner only has their instrument tuned every 5 to 10 years, think what would
happen if we could cut that interval in half: we would double the total
amount of tunings done in any given year. That translates into greater
demand for everyone.

There is plenty of pie out there for everyone. We have to tap into it. That
is our challenge.

Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf
Of Robin Blankenship
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 8:31 AM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: ethics question

Rick,
David is absolutely correct. Just do the best work that you can and be
patient. I've had plenty of customers use somebody else........once. And,
when you get them back, DO NOT denigrate the other tuner(s). Often, it is a
matter of personal taste on the customer's part. Whenever another's tuner's
name is mentioned, I always find something positive to say about them. For
one thing, I do not wish to disparage the customer's taste or judgement.
Yes, I may enjoy a moment of "victory" later, after I have gotten the
customer back; but, I keep that to myself. We piano techs all need each
other's knowledge, experience and insight in order to best "Save The Music",
to borrow a phrase.

Be patient and enjoy each opportunity to service a piano. It IS a privilege.

Robin Blankenship
----- Original Message -----
From: richard.ucci@att.net <mailto:richard.ucci@att.net>
To: ilvey@sbcglobal.net <mailto:ilvey@sbcglobal.net>  ; Pianotech
<mailto:pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 8:36 AM
Subject: RE: ethics question

Thanks for the advice Dave,

I think the fact that a strong bond was not yet created with them had a lot
to do with it, however I do have a strong bond with the womans father who's
piano I service and who was not pleased about the teachers behavior.

RU/UP
-------------- Original message from David Ilvedson : --------------


I'd call the teacher and tell him to quit recommending the new tuner to your
customers.   Don't get steamed on the phone with the teacher.   What's wrong
with that?   He just may say OK unless you've really ticked him off
somehow...;-]

On a related note...you will NEVER keep all your customers.   The best you
can do is do top notch work and be as friendly and interested in their
piano/them as you can.   I keep names of children, pets etc. in my database
to refer to when calling.  Most importantly keep the regular contact for
service and that's all you can do.  Creating some sort of personal bond with
the customers does beget loyalty.  That being said, I've lost oodles of
customers over the years...usually from my neglect of contact, they moved,
quit playing the piano and yes, sometimes another tuner is referred...

David I.


----- Original message ---------------------------------------->
From: < richard.ucci@att.net <mailto:richard.ucci@att.net> >
To: < pianotech@ptg.org <mailto:pianotech@ptg.org> >
Received: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 19:32:08 +0000
Subject: ethics question

OK guys , here's the deal.
A piano teacher I tuned for years ago, stopped using me for reasons unknown,
and started using a competitor.  He then started telling clients who were
mine originally and referred to him for teaching, to use the other tuner.

Last night I lost another one. The woman said," Oh we just had it tuned.Our
teacher suggested someone else. But if it doesn't sound good later we'll
call you".

I replied ,"Thank you for your loyalty". "I'll certainly be waiting by the
phone for your call"." I am deleting you from my files, Good Bye".

Has this ever happened to you guys and what if anything can I do about it
and still be ethical. I deal with about fifteen or more teachers now but I'm
really starting to get steamed.

Thanks,
Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/d8/e0/16/56/attachment.htm

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--