nickels and dimes do add up, but...

[bases-loaded@juno.com]

Tom -

I suspect I am in the minority here, but I have always structured my fees
based solely on how much time it takes me to do the work required, in
other words, the charges are based on my hourly rate, plus a trip charge.
 Small things I just take care of, and am compensated when I bill them
for the time required to do them.  For larger repairs I give them an
approximation of the charge, again based on how much time I think it will
take, and let them decide if they want it done.  In 25 years, I have
never once had a customer demand to know ahead of time EXACTLY what the
charge would be.  After all, they are there while you are doing the work,
and can easily verify that it 'took that long' to service their piano.

Works for me.

Mark Potter
bases-loaded@juno.com

On Wed, 7 May 2003 15:31:07 EDT Tvak@aol.com writes:
> List
> 
> I have been wondering how some of you handle the little incidental 
> things 
> that sometimes need to be done on a tuning call.  I find it 
> difficult to 
> charge someone for something that takes very little time, and I like 
> to do 
> something a little extra if I can.  I think it makes the customer 
> feel like 
> he is being taken care of and not being taken advantage of.  But 
> then, where 
> do you draw the line?  
> 
> One place that I've drawn the line, is if the customer asks me to 
> fix 
> something that is bothering him.  I am more inclined to charge him 
> to correct 
> a problem he is aware of and wants remedied.  Even then, if it takes 
> less 
> than 5 minutes, I can't seem to put it on the bill.
> 
> And what about things that perhaps only you have noticed?  Here are 
> some 
> things that one comes across pretty regularly.  Would  anyone care 
> to comment 
> on their policy regarding the following: (on a vertical piano)
>         Tighten a loose hammer butt flange to correct a floppy 
> hammer?  
>         Tighten 3 loose hammer butt flanges?  Five? 
>         Adjust a leaking damper?  Three dampers?  Five?
>         Adjust the lost motion from a damper pedal?
>         Ease a key?  Three keys?  
>         Adjust a backcheck to stop a double-striking hammer?  Three? 
>  Five?
>         Align a hammer to strike all three strings?
>         CLP a sluggish hammer butt?
> 
> Would you:  A) charge him for it?
>             B) just leave it like it is?
>             C) not charge him, but  let him know you took care of 
> the problem 
> for him?
> 
> Just curious how some of you might approach this.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Tom Sivak
>     
>     
>     
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