[pianotech] basic or full service

[David Ilvedson]

I'm about ready to charge a fixed fee, whether first or not.   Like many, it is based around time.   You know there is plenty of stuff that can be done if you have some extra time.   Pull the action, teflon the keybed & knuckles.   Adjust the damper upstop rail which is always too high..., rough in blow distance...getting the blow distance back to spec can make a huge difference in the way the piano feels.   I think we need to be spending more time per service call...quoting a higher fee is understandable (sometimes) if you mention the time of the service.  

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Ken & Pat Gerler" <kenneth.gerler at prodigy.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 3/12/2010 2:49:08 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] basic or  full service


>David,
>If I arrive and find the instrument has been meticulously serviced 
>(including cleaning/vacuuming inside so I don't stir up dust) by a previous 
>quality technician, then it is just my "basic" fee for servicing IF all I 
>have to do is tune the instrument.  It is just that I advise the customer 
>ahead of time, THAT on my first visit, IF the instrument has not been 
>maintained previously, there will be more than a tuning fee.

>Ken Gerler

>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>
>To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
>Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 8:39 AM
>Subject: Re: [pianotech] basic or full service


>Higher fees on first time calls make sense sometimes but what if someone is
>just switching techs and the piano has otherwise been regularly serviced?
>Aren't you discouraging them from making the switch by charging them a
>higher fee where, as in this case, it may not be warranted?  I gave up
>automatically charging a higher first time fee for that reason.  In fact, I
>know a tech locally who offers a discount for the first time fee in order to
>encourage people to switch technicians.

>David Love
>www.davidlovepianos.com





>I have watched all the "traffic" on the "basic" or "full" service and I (or
>my wife) tell/s anyone "searching" for service on an acoustic piano my
>procedures. On a first call, they can expect a higher charge than a minimum
>fee for service, as I will not service an instrument if I can not leave it
>in some sort of playing condition; i.e. all notes working whether the
>regulation is perfect or not, but no bobbling hammers or sluggishness
>anywhere. Those things give "fits" to the person trying to play the
>instrument.

>Ken Gerler