This is a multipart message in MIME format ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment I always bring up the "disclaimer" when raising pitch at the= beginning of an appointment. David I. Original message From: Dean May To: Pianotech Received: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 09:01:59 -0500 Subject: RE: Pitch Raise and String Breakage Hi Matt, I think it is best to always be up front when people ask. We= quote the standard tuning rate and say that if it has been= awhile since the last tuning and the pitch has fallen, it could= be up to twice the normal rate, depending on how low it is.= Since I rarely break strings, I don't mention string breakage.= But if it happens, I just explain that sometimes it happens= when bringing the tension up this much. I never have anyone= upset over that. If there are broken notes the explanation is that most any broken= note problem can be fixed for $25-$50 each. But it may be less,= even free, if for example it is only a lodged paper clip. Then= it is stated that there is no way of giving an accurate quote= without examining the piano. I used to not be careful to do the phone quote, only the= evaluation and quotation at the start of the tuning appointment.= I found much more resistance to having the work done, and often= people felt like I was gouging them. Now when a piano needs a pr= I don't even say anything, unless they ask. It was already= covered on the phone call. I just do it and charge accordingly. On the Damp-Chaser installation, I usually try to sell the job= before the tuning is done. If it is right after I've tuned,= sometimes I will delay installation for 2-3 months and explain= it will need tuned again. If I don't think they will do the= second tuning, I will just do the install without the delay. I= may explain that the piano will go out a little sooner. If that= happens they just need to have it retuned. I know the piano will= eventually get straightened out and if they call back to= complain on the tuning (rare occurence) they accept the= explanation. The big frustration with these systems is when you go out to a= regular client (churches, usually) and find the system unplugged= or dry and the piano +/- 15 cents. Then what do you do? I= usually eat the lost appointment, plug it in/fill it up, and= reschedule for two weeks. Sometimes I will change the pads and= charge $25 for a service call and pad change so it is not a= total loss. If it is not a regular customer (i.e., 2-3 years= between appointments) I'll go ahead and tune it, but not put it= all the way on pitch. To combat this problem I started carrying the 6 outlet adaptors= and cord locks. If the outlet is crowded I don't even ask,= usually, I just install the 6 outlet adaptor. If it is not a= crowded outlet, I just put on the cord lock, a plastic strip the= traps the cord against the outlet cover that makes it hard to= unplug the cord. Blessings, Dean -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org= [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Matthew Todd Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 6:11 PM To: Pianotech Subject: Pitch Raise and String Breakage Hi List, 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 Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. Learn= more. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/ac/60/0c/c6/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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