Clyde, <<I talked with a technician once who charges double the tuning rate if the piano is 50 cents flat, and doubles the charge again if it's 100 cents flat. For example, if the tuning charge were $70, then a 100-cent pitchraise and tuning would be $280. Now I've been told we can never call anything regarding pricing unethical, but if I were on the receiving end of that deal, I'd feel ripped off for sure.>> My opinion is that a charge of that nature would be excessive. But, at those rates I would do all those pianos I could <g>. Given the above 100 cent scenario, I could pitch raise it twice, then fine tune, and expect a decent sound...if the piano cooperates. Maybe the price would be double, but that's about as much extra I would feel comfortable charging. A couple of weeks ago, a Wurlitzer spinet was a little over 100 cents flat. Two pitch raises with the SAT, and fine tuning with the SAT took about one hour and 20 minutes. Therefore, I only charged for what I normally would for a single pitch raise since things went really well. If it had taken longer, then it would have been a little more. I tell my customers that they need to have another tuning anywhere from 1-3 months with such a great pitch raise. IMO, that gives them a better value than charging more on the first tuning. Rough it in on the first visit, get it close but don't waste time with perfection, then follow up at a later session. If the customer understands what is involved with neglected pianos, they have no problem with this. I plan to do a follow-up tuning on the spinet close to Easter. John Formsma Blue Mountain, MS
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