[pianotech] Haynes baby grand

[CHARLES BECKER]

hourly rate = X

if customer watches = X + $ 10

if customer helps = X + $ 20

(just kidding)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Piano Boutique" <pianoboutique at comcast.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Haynes baby grand


> Rob,
>
> I have rebuilt pianos with the same story as yours.   We put on the 
> receipt, the work exceeds the value of the piano.
>
> If she wants to come by and visit, that may be fun to let her help, but 
> don't reduce the price.   Between the extra time it takes you and having 
> to do a lot of hand holding, you might even come out in the shorts.
>
> Charge Schedule.
> X dollars per hour.
> Plus ten percent if you watch.
> Plus 25 percent if you help.
> Plus 100 percent if I have to do it your way.
>
> William
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Rob McCall" <rob at mccallpiano.com>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 2:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Haynes baby grand
>
>
>> Thanks Joe and Wim,
>>
>> This piano says "Haynes" on the fallboard so I'm guessing it was an 
>> attempt to capitalize on the Haines Bros. name. I mentioned to the  owner 
>> that they could have a $2,000 piano right now, they could invest  $5-10K 
>> in it and end up with a $3,000 piano.  She said, "I don't  care.  I don't 
>> want a new piano, this one means too much to me."
>>
>> I know Joe said to leave the emotion out of it, and generally I think 
>> that's a good idea, but when the emotional bond runs this deep and 
>> they're well informed as to the costs and end values, I'm inclined to  do 
>> it for them.
>>
>> Which brings to mind another question.  She had asked if she could  help 
>> with some of the work. Pulling out tuning pins, strings, etc. I  know 
>> she's not afraid of doing grunt labor...
>>
>> What is everyone's thought on that?  Would you cut some of the labor 
>> cost of rebuilding for the owner's sweat equity?  Does this open other 
>> issues I can't think of right now?
>>
>> She doesn't want to work on any of the technical stuff, action, etc., 
>> she just wants to get her hands dirty and help.  BTW, she helps  rebuild 
>> engines for dragsters with her husband so she has some  skills...  :-)
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Rob McCall
>> Murrieta, CA
>>
>> On Sep 11, 2009, at 11:14 , wimblees at aol.com wrote:
>>
>>> Rob
>>>
>>> I rebuilt a Haines Bros. a couple of decades ago. It was eventually 
>>> bought by a local theater company who used it in their rehearsal 
>>> studio. It wasn't the greatest instrument I had ever done, but it  held 
>>> up nice, and served it's purpose.
>>>
>>> Rebuilding a piano like this is not worth what it could possibly  bring 
>>> on the open market. But in this case, if the customer has  strong 
>>> sentimental attachments to it, as long as she understands  that for the 
>>> same amount of money she can buy a brand new instrument  in much better 
>>> condition, go ahead and give her a proposal to do the  work.
>>>
>>> Wim
>>>
>>
>
>