Thanks for the comments David. I agree with what you say. > I think you have to find out if that presumption is correct. Oh, absolutely, and I will. I was just trying to get some opinions/ suggestions before I do contact them. I was just trying to suggest that it seemed as thought there was going to be a good chance that they will have changed their mind about doing the minimal level of regulation/repair. So I'll be calling them to set up an appointment for this work. And if they say that they have decided against it, I will have to say that I will not be able to tune their piano (hey, some hammers are not hitting the strings!!!). And then I have the sticky situation of saying that I'll stop by to drop off my invoice for the work completed the other day (pitch raise and string splice). Won't THAT be fun! Terry Farell On Mar 23, 2010, at 12:39 PM, david at piano.plus.com wrote: > Tery, you say they PRESUMABLY now have the impression no additional > work > is needed. > > I think you have to find out if that presumption is correct. > > If it is, and they believe the 'teacher' is more expert than you, (or > believe her implicit suggestion that you've been trying to con > them), then > I would just say to them that you will be happy from now on to leave > their > piano in the hands of their expert music teacher, and move sweetly on. > > Agreeing to a discount for all the teacher's clients, kinda makes > her a > party in all those customer transactions, and it already sounds as > if she > is a most undesirable partner, quite prepared to interfere between > you and > your customer every time. > > Why should you charge less than your work is worth, just at the > request of > this lady? A recommendation from her will probably count for very > little, > and she does not have it in her power to compel her pupils' families > to > choose you! > > The relationship between service provider and customer can't be > improved > by the interference of a third party, and it's just asking for > trouble. > > I have customers who are music teachers, and they recommend me. I > appreciate that they do, and that they are happy with my service. But > they don't ask for, or receive, any discount on my price. (In any > case, if > they are legitimate their income will be declared to the IRS, and > piano > tuning will be an allowable expense deductible from the profits of > the > business). > > What I MIGHT sometimes for music teacher customers with whom I am on > very > good terms, is offer an extra level of service out of appreciation - > perhaps some free action regulation etc, if they have been customers > for > some years. But within strict limits! > > A nasty business! Extricate yourself as gracefully as possible...... > > Best regards, > > David > > > >> Yes, indeed I felt that I had >> left a good impression on them when I was there and explained their >> options. However, since that time, she has spoken to the piano >> teacher >> and presumably now has the impression that the piano is not in need >> of >> any additional work. > >> And if that is how it ends up, that is absolutely fine with me. But, >> as these folks seemed to me to be reasonable, it seems to me that one >> last round of attempting to inform them of reality is appropriate. >> I'm >> looking for any recommendations for what might be the best way to >> convey to Funky Piano owners that their piano does in fact need at >> least some rough regulation and repairs to restore function. > > >
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