[pianotech] call-backs you can't charge for

[KeyKat88 at aol.com]

Greetings,
 
        This is alwys a tough one. When I go into a new customer's piano, I 
try to make sure they are standing right there, and I show them the "lay of 
the land" as far as the piano's issues are concerned. I try every key, look 
at the bridges and play some keys and ask them if they can "hear that" and 
point out any extraneous ringning or other key/action sticking problems or 
worn key bushings clacking etc. I ask them how long they have the piano, and 
ask if it was in a basement or near a heat source before they got it. 
 
        As you probably know, the old uprights are the worst. I point out 
the dirt/dust if any, and/or other problems and tell them that it indicates 
the piano was neglected. Testing the A-440 tells all, of course .  I find 
that if I do is in the beginning, it lowers their expectations of what services 
I can perform to ge the piano acceptably playable again. I guess some 
people expect us to be "miracle" workers on such "beasts". 
 
Julia
Reading, PA
 
  
In a message dated 11/22/2009 3:28:07 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
dianepianotuner at msn.com writes:

I've even done 12 hours' extra labor on a large
reconditioning job to get rid of problems they implied were my
fault, even though these things were not in the job estimate,
but from their tone of voice and attitude you can tell that it's
either fix everything for free or get into a big argument, much
unpleasantness, and maybe even a lawsuit.
But of course you can't deduct the value of your time on
your tax return, since the IRS doesn't see your time as being
worth anything.


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