Wanting to do it right

[Dean May]

Well, you aren't really that stuck. Any tech working for a dealer has to
walk the balancing act you are facing. The dealer (speaking as a former
dealer myself) is obviously concerned with maximizing his profit. His
overhead and expenses are  huge. You need to do everything in your power to
assist him towards that end. 
 
Speaking also as a tech who used to work for a dealer doing what you are
doing, I know many times I would have to "eat" work just to make things come
out all right for the customer and the dealer. If I did $40-$80 worth of
extra, I could usually slip an extra $10-25 charge onto the dealer's bill
without asking permission. Just note on the invoice the time it took, your
regular rate,  and the dealer's maximum discounted rate. Explain that the
work had to be done. You get a little money for your efforts and the pill
isn't quite as bitter.
 
It sounds like there are some things you could do differently to alleviate
your stress. First, you obviously don't have to use WD40. Use Goose Juice or
Protek instead. If you need to repin, just do it. Once you get good it
doesn't take that long. You have to isolate the components giving you the
excess friction. Likely the problem is in the keys. Carefully fit the keys.
Make sure the balance rail mortise is cut deep enough. Ease the balance rail
hole enough so that the key drops on the pin. Make sure there isn't excess
drag on the bushings. Then use a pipe cleaner and coat the bushings with
teflon powder. 
 
Second, I can't imagine how you can tune a new piano twice and it still be
going flat. You need to examine your pitch raising techniques and make some
changes. Reyburn CyberTuner would be a huge help here. 
 
Then accept the fact that you might have to do some work and not get paid.
Think of it as a cost of doing business. How much would you pay to get one
new customer that will have their piano tuned every 6 months for the next 20
years, and tell 10 of their friends about you? 
 

Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359 

PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 

Terre Haute IN  47802

 

 

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From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Steven Hopp
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 4:54 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Wanting to do it right


Hello all,
 
I guess I am writing this as a vent rather than a request.  I work for a
well known piano dealer in my area who's business has been around for over
30 years.  I do some warranty tunings and some repair.  The owner has been
like gold to me.  Helping me whenever he can.  Allowing me to work on my own
projects in his shop.  Of course he gets floor and warranty tunings at a
discount so it is very win win.  However,  when it comes to some things he
wants me to cut corners.  For example, I just did a warranty tuning for a
piano he delivered and it was 100 cents flat.  I pulled it up to pitch and
did two tunings that day and plan to do go work on it again as it is already
going flat.  Typical for such a piano.  However, he wanted me to leave it
flat and just do a "touch up" on the tuning.  Also several of the high
treble hammers and one of the bass hammers were sluggish and need some
attention.  I couldn't give it at that time but he now says just spray it
with some WD-40 and it will be fine.  There are other things that he wants
me to do that I just won't do.  I need this association but how do you tell
the guy you won't do some things and still get paid?  If I had left the
piano flat and the lady eventually called another tuner for whatever reason
- I would look like the moron not him.  Just a note in my life.  Any
thoughts and or empathy are welcome.  
 
Steven

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