free tunings

[Clyde Allen]

Carol,

Very good insight and advice!

Best Regards,
Clyde Allen


--- Carol Beigel <crbrpt@bellatlantic.net> wrote:

> To David especially, I have a few suggestions to
> make
> concerning getting customers to call YOU when the
> free
> tunings are completed from the dealer.
> 
> First of all, that free in-home tuning after someone
> has purchased a piano is not really just an
> appointment
> to tune a piano - it is a fantastic business
> opportunity for you to get a client!  I doubt most
> people will notice or appreciate your technical
> skills,
> but what they WILL remember is whether or not you
> seemed interested in them and their piano.
> 
> Did you dress nicely?  Did you smile and comment how
> nice the piano looked in their home?  Did you ask
> them
> how they liked the piano or if there were any
> problems?
> Did you ask their kid to play a song for you after
> you
> were finished?  Did you leave any literature about
> how
> to take care of the piano?  And most important, did
> you
> not agree to send a post card reminding them when
> their
> next tuning should be done, say in 6 months!!! 
> Those
> should have been your parting words.
> 
> If you consider that being a successful business man
> piano tuner is 90% customer care and 10% technical
> stuff, then you might have better odds of keeping
> the
> customer.  I will say that the "show" is far more
> important than any unseen work you might have done. 
> If
> any extra work is needed, bring them into the room
> and
> SHOW them what you are doing!  It makes for great
> entertainment as most people have never even seen
> the
> inside of a piano, and are totally fascinated the
> thing
> even comes apart in the first place!
> 
> I think people are totally  wowed by electronic
> tuning
> devices. The combination of those little red lights,
> or
> rotating circles, combined with your wearing a tie,
> watching a kid play a song, and driving a clean car
> are
> no match for an unknown tuner unless their prices so
> undercut you, that they probably give poor service
> and
> will call you back anyway when they get disappointed
> with the sound and playability of their piano.
> 
> When I was a kid, I was the one who stayed home to
> let
> the piano tuner in the house.  If I didn't like the
> guy, I would tell my Dad and he would find someone
> else.  Our tuner never joined the guild, but he wore
> a
> beret and drove a red Porche!  He even let me rumage
> through his tool bag and gladly answered any
> question I
> ever had.  Of course I was happy with his service! 
> My
> Dad was happy because he thought the piano sounded
> good
> and played crisply.  The guy before him however,
> came
> out and said something I perceived as
> uncomplementary
> about the brand of our piano, so we never called him
> back.
> 
> Just remember, building your business is more "show"
> than competence; keeping your busness is paying
> attention to detail and being competent!
> 
> Carol Beigel, RPT
> 26 years in the business
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info:
> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> 


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