Terry After reading your posts, and your comments, I would hedge my bet that she has had a bad or sour dealings with technicians in the past. Anything you do, or have done ( in her mind) is only adding to prove her point. This teacher is trying to playing the mother hen and she'll oversee her flock of students. She's trying to call all of the shots, along with being the last word on whether or not you are being fair and upfront. If all of her students had similar instruments and similar tuning needs, then her presumption of charges could be in the ballpark. But this is anything but that situation. It's like if one is asked to mow someone's yard for $$. It's another if the grass is 4 ft high and with piles of garbage that has to be removed in order to mow. One yard was mowed regularly, the other has become a field with a tree growing in the middle of it. Two entirely different situations. Although, both will require a mower to remedy the situation. Teachers often show their real ignorance in situations like these. They are trying to build an image to their students that they are the final authority. They will be the prime teacher. They will also make sure no one pulls a wool of their student's face. When this teachers deems a student's piano suitable and will only need minor attention, and then you come in and prescribe something beyond that, you are now looked as a sleazy car salesmen trying to milk this for all it's worth. Either you or the teacher is wrong, and this teacher is going to be damned sure it's not her being wrong. See the pattern? So, my friend, you've been put into proverbial pickle. Game theorists call this the " Prisoner's Dilemma" where one gets put into a situation and then now the struggling one has to figure a way out. She's now hedging her bet that you're only real move if for you to come begging to her knees, accept her reprimand, work for her had her determined rate, and you'll promise to be a good boy from now on. My advice....don't play into the game. What you've outlined is reasonable and part of the industry standards. She's looking for a "yes man" or in her a " yes, mamma!" tuner who will play into her game. Don't play and move on. Been there, done that...bought the T-shirt! Tom Servinsky ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terry Farrell" <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com> To: <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 1:49 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] 2nd bad client in 10+ years - seeking advice > 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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