Explaining Fees was RE: Anybody wanna trade?

[tune4u@earthlink.net]

When I need to explain why piano work costs so much I show the customer the
bridal straps. I point out that they are just little pieces of ribbon and
very simple--and how they almost always need replacing in an old upright
piano.

Then I have them estimate how long it would take to remove and replace one
bridal strap in its tight little environment. "Oh a couple of minutes" is
a typical response.

Okay, says I, now multiply that number of minutes by 88 and divide by sixty
...

This, I say, demonstrates the problem: Most jobs don't take all that long on
one note but it's when you multiply everything by a factor of 88 that the
costs get so high.

Grand owners, in my somewhat limited experience, seem to appreciate their
pianos more and know that piano work can be costly. (I'm sure there are
dramatic exceptions!) Even so, a similar demonstration could by made, I
suppose, by describing all the steps in the regulation of each key.

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of gordon stelter
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 6:04 AM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Anybody wanna trade?


Yesterday I drove 30 miles to do an estimate on a
fabulous 1890's Ellington. Dealt with nice wife.
     Genuine Circassian walnut case, no mice (little
tabs on backs of pedals saw to that!), but action
totallly shot, and back appears restrung by unskilled
8 year old. Real mess with strings crossing on coils,
very few tight coils, etc..
     I didn't charge for estimate, and quoted $200 to
straighten up coils and do 3-pass tuning. Quoted
$3,000 for total action rebuild and reg with brackets
replated, etc.. ( Probabaly too low. )  Left.  Called
back in evening to talk with husband.
     Husband goes ballistic over prices, especially
action rebuild. Says I can come back and tune only
($70). Says he'll rebuild action hisself!!!
     This is what its like here, almost constantly.
I'd better grab this job before he calls one of the
$50 "tuners"!
     Thump

P.S. Today I'll ask him what he wants for this piano
and try to get it into the hands of someone who will
actually appreciate it.


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