Speed

[Wimblees@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 6/16/99 9:01:42 AM Central Daylight Time, 
pianoola@hotmail.com writes:

<< What is a normal customer paying for?

A customer is paying to have his/her piano tuned. For that she/he is willing 
to pay a certain amount of money. How much depends on how much it is worth to 
him/her. For some, it's only worth $25 every ten years. Others are willing to 
pay $100 every month. 

 Why is the exam so long when it doesn't fit with reality?

The reason the exam takes so long is because the examinee is not just taking 
it, it is also scored during this time. The actual time the examinee is 
"testing" is about 2 hours. The other two hours are taken up by scoring.

 Is it a goal for me to be able to tune a piano in 20 minutes and is it 
something to be proud of?

If you can tune a piano to a customer's satisfaction, then this is something 
of which you can be proud.  The question is, will the customer be satisfied? 

 Where is the compromise between a  goodtuning and a fast tuning?

A good tuning is when the you and the client are satisfied with the result.  
A fast tuning is when there is a deadline, and you have to get the piano in 
reasonable tune before a program, or before you have to get out.  A good 
tuning is not done fast, and a fast tuning will not be good. 

 Is there a difference in time and price tuning a normal piano or tuning a 
 concert or recording grand?

This is a wide open question, which has been discussed numerous times.  The 
main concept here is how much do you charge for your service.  Most piano 
tuners charge by the job.  In other words, they will charge X number of 
dollars to tune a piano, regardless of how long it takes.  Others will charge 
x number of dollars for per hour.  The same is applied to repairs and 
regulation.  Personally I charge by the hour.  A "normal" tuning takes me a 
bout an hour.  If a piano needs more time, because of various factors, 
(concert prep, regulation, repairs, etc.), more will be charged, but then 
only for the extra time it takes me.  If I can get the job done within an 
hour, even if I have to make a few repairs or adjustments,  I will still only 
charge my "normal" tuning fee. 
 
Willem Blees, RPT
St.Louis, MO

 Locking forward for response
 
 Thanks
 
 Ola "Slowhand" Andersson
 Bergen, Norway
  >>