Pricing policies, etc. (fwd)

[gwilson@prairienet.byu.edu]

Forwarded message:
>
> On Tue, 12 Dec 1995, David Porritt wrote:
>
> > I think we should always do our best work.  Tuning as well as we can be it
> > old upright or new Steinway.  There is, however, the realization that no
> > matter what I do to this 36" Whitney it will not sound good.  After an
> > hour making as good a compromise as possible on it, 8 more hours (of
> > tuning) just won't improve it.  We can really lower our frustration level
> > when we realize that fact.
> >
> > Dave Porritt
> > SMU - Dallas
> >
>
> This is very true: the 36" will never sound "good", but it may be the
> owner's only alternative to _no_ piano.  We knew about the reverse curve
> when we decided to be piano tuners: the cheapest are the most expensive
> to maintain.  I often share this irony with my customers.  I then assure
> them that I will do everything in my power to assure that the piano at
> least sounds better than before when I finish.  I spend a minimum of two
> hours on every piano.  I also tell the customer that the results will be
> even better if they don't wait so long before the next tuning.
>
> I got into tuning in the early sixties because none of the tuners I could
> find at the time could meet my standards as a pianist.  I still tune
> every piano as though it were my own, and the only one I possess.
>
> I have been glad to see the overall integrity of our profession become
> apparent in this thread.  Truth be known, I would be tempted to charge
> more for the dogs and pay someone for the thrill of tuning a nice grand,
> but that just won't fly! ;-}
>
> Gordon Wilson
> Keyboard Studio
> Urbana, Illinois