piano tuning- fickle church accounts

[Avery]

William,

You're correct, of course. It's just that in my experience, most 
changes have to do with price! Unfortunately!

Avery

At 04:27 PM 11/1/2006, you wrote:
>Avery,
>
>It may be more than money.  I had a church choose me to do their 
>pianos.  The last music person left and the new one wanted a 
>change.  I did their pianos for a couple of years and, yes another 
>music director came in.  It wasn't that he disliked me, it was just 
>that he grew up with this other tuner taking care of his pianos.  Go 
>figure, there could be a thousand reasons.  The thing that is the 
>hardest for me is to be thick skinned about it all.
>
>William
>
>
>
>
>PIANO BOUTIQUE
>William Benjamin
>Piano Tuner Extraordinaire
><http://www.pianoboutique.biz>www.pianoboutique.biz
>The tuner alone,
>preserves the tone.
>
>
>----------
>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] 
>On Behalf Of Kallie Swanepoel
>Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 4:04 PM
>To: 'Pianotech List'
>Subject: RE: piano tuning- fickle church accounts
>
>Hi Avery and all
>
>This was the best opinion on this subject to my knowledge so far.
>
>It seems to be all about cost.  This is unfortunately the best way 
>too loose existing clients, churches or not.
>
>However, I'll never use the "cut throat" strategy myself, but for 
>some reason some of the piano technicians in our city believe that 
>they might get much more work if they can do the work as cheap as 
>possible. Although I'm not the cheapest in town, I still have enough 
>work to feed my family.
>
>Kallie Swanepoel
>
>Piano Tuner/Klavierstemmer
>
>Skype Name:
>KallieSwanepoel
>Phone: +27 (0) 12 379 3762
>Mobile: +27 (0) 83 261 6942
>Voice Link: +27 (0) 88 129 8775
>Fax: +27 (0) 86 633 2999
><http://www.kallieswanepoel.co.za/>http://www.kallieswanepoel.co.za
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] 
>On Behalf Of Avery
>Sent: 01 November 2006 21:58
>To: Pianotech List
>Subject: RE: piano tuning- fickle church accounts
>Dean, etc.
>
>In my experience, it's usually because someone contacted them who's 
>cheaper than you are. It normally doesn't have much to do with the 
>quality of your work! :-( Thankfully, the few churches I do work for 
>are faithful to me! Not to the price!
>
>Avery
>
>At 07:20 AM 11/1/2006, you wrote:
>
>I just lost a long time church account, no reason given. It is 
>pretty frustrating as I have supplied concert pianos to them at no 
>cost in years past for special events. The last time I was out their 
>dampchaser was unplugged. I plugged it in, reminded them how 
>important it was to keep it plugged in and came back in two weeks. 
>It was unplugged again. I helped them get set up with an extension 
>cord to plug it in further away. Now I'm out $170+ for two missed 
>appointments. Next time I call the secretary tells me the board has 
>decided to use someone else. Sigh. Twice I've nearly stopped by the 
>church to press them for a reason, but I've decided to take the high road.
>
>Whenever the pianist changes, music director or pastor, we are in 
>danger of losing the account. Loyalty isn't real high. That's why it 
>is important to send regular reminders to the office to let them 
>know you are out there.
>
>Dean
>
>
>----------
>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [ mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] 
>On Behalf Of Leslie Bartlett
>Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:24 PM
>To: pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject: FW: piano tuning
>
>Years ago, a newbie, I tuned for this large church.  About three 
>years in they replaced me without telling me.  That has been a 
>few.  So I wrote their organist and asked him if he could recall why 
>they replaced me. The reply left me somewhat amused.  Thought I 
>would share it FWIW.
>les bartlett
>
>
>----------
>From: Scott / FoundryChurch]
>Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 9:58 AM
>To: l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net
>Cc: Joleen
>Subject: piano tuning
>Hi Les,
>
>To be honest, I cannot remember much about why we changed tuners. We 
>have actually had several tuners over the years.
>
>I wish the best of luck to you in your continued endeavors.
>
>SCOTT
>
>
>
>
>--
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