Pitch Raise and String Breakage

[David Love]

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I find it difficult not to quote any price.  I usually tell them that
the cost depends on what needs to be done.  I let them know that basic
tuning costs x for pianos that I service on a regular basis but that
fees for 1st tunings or for pianos that have been neglected for awhile
can be higher.  How much higher will depend on what needs to be done and
then I usually give them a typical range.   I also tell them that
repairs, voicing, regulation are charged in addition and on an hourly
basis.  
 
David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Piannaman@aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 6:49 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: Pitch Raise and String Breakage
 
In a message dated 1/14/05 2:05:59 AM Pacific Standard Time,
terry@farrellpiano.com writes:
"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."
(snip)
"Also, this let's me.....estimate the family's financial situation, find
out how much the piano means to them, etc."
 
Hmmmmm. Sounds suspicious to me. Don't you even have a standard tuning
fee?
I find it much easier to not have to deal with a "floating" fee.  All of
my rates are listed at the bottom of my invoice.  If I feel like the
customer is particularly cash-strapped, I can give a discounts\.
Leaving a large gray area when dealing with money can create problems
like, "you tuned the Dungboi piano at my friend's house for XXX$, how
come you charged me xxxx$ to tune my Bargaindorfer?"  
 
For someone who is glib and a good bargainer, I can see the appeal of
"no set fee."  For someone who has trouble asking for what he/she
deserves, having it etched in stone can make that aspect of the job
easier.
 
Dave Stahl

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