How to explain a pitch adjustment

[Geoff Sykes]

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Dean --
=20
At how many cents off pitch do you consider a pitch adjustment =
necessary?
=20
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On =
Behalf
Of Dean May
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 1:54 PM
To: 'Pianotech'
Subject: RE: How to explain a pitch adjustment


I find it very helpful to "pre-sell" the pitch raise. When a new =
customer
calls we quote our normal rate ($85) and ask how long it has been since =
the
last tuning. We then explain that if the piano is real bad it could be =
up to
$150 because it will require more work to get it into shape. (My rule of
thumb for charges is take the worst note out of tune and add $1/cent to =
my
basic rate, up to the maximum of $150.) There may also be additional =
charges
for minor repair and/or adjustments. Most people do not balk at all at =
the
cost. They are expecting to pay more on a piano that hasn't been tuned =
for
many years.=20
=20
Then when I get to the job I don't ever have to sell a pitch raise. It =
is
pre-sold. They may ask if it is going to take the pitch raise, but =
they've
already committed to paying it or I wouldn't have the appointment.=20
=20
Being up front like this eliminates the perception that you are just =
trying
to "upsell" a job. They know before you come out what the possibilities =
are.
Before I started doing this several years ago I faced the same struggle =
you
are. Since we started doing the pre-sell, I am actually doing more pitch
raises at a much higher price.
=20
Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On =
Behalf
Of Geoff Sykes
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 3:45 PM
To: Pianotech@Ptg. Org
Subject: How to explain a pitch adjustment
=20
Greetings all --
=20
Many pianos need a pitch adjustment prior to tuning. Usually because it
hasn't been touched in five years. Therefore, like many of you I'm sure, =
I
frequently find myself having to explain to customers what a pitch
adjustment is, and why their piano needs one prior to tuning. I have =
found
that car analogies often help when explaining things but I have not been
able to come up with one that would help with a pitch adjustment. Even =
after
explaining, as simply as I know how, the relationship of the incredible
string tension across the plate and why it needs to be equalized before =
a
fine tuning will hold, I often feel like I'm coming off trying to sell =
them
something bogus. How do you people explain pitch adjustments to your
customers whose piano needs it so that they not only understand what it =
is
but why it's important that their piano gets one prior to tuning?
=20
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles

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