Pitch Raise and String Breakage

[Alan]

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Lately I've been ducking the whole "how much do you charge thing" quite
succesfully with calls like you describe. I simply say: "I don't want to
quote anything before I see a piano for the first time. I'll examine it =
and
then we can discuss what is needed and agree on things before I do any =
work.
Fair enough?"  Or something to that effect. Seems to be accepted very =
well
and I haven't wasted a trip yet.
=20
Then, when I see that it's 87 cents flat with rusty coils and mouse =
nests,
we can talk face to face about needs, options, etc., and do the =
"selling" on
a personal basis. To me, that is always better than "selling" anything =
over
the phone where you don't really know what's what with the piano. Also, =
this
let's me establish a rapport with the customer so I can read their body
language, estimate the family's financial situation, find out how much =
the
piano means to them, etc. At this time, before starting, I say things =
like:=20
=20
"These strings may be rusty enough or old enough that some of them may =
pop
while tuning."
=20
"Though I will be careful, metal under tension loses its elasticity, or
ability to stretch, over time and gets brittle."
=20
"You been taking these strings to the beach with you, or what!?!=20
=20
Alan R. Barnard
Salem, MO

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On =
Behalf
Of Matthew Todd
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 5:11 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Pitch Raise and String Breakage


Hi List,
=20
When you're on the phone scheduling an appointment with a client, and =
you
ask the question "How long has it been since the piano was last tuned", =
and
they say "over 10 years", then you mention the pitch raise and the extra
cost involved, and that their piano may need it....do you also mention =
that
some strings might break over the phone, or do you wait till you're at =
their
home before you bring it up?


Matthew Todd
Todd Piano Works
Piano Tuner/Technician
Tuning - Repairing - Regulating=20



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