piano tuning- fickle church accounts

[William Benjamin]

Avery,

 

It may be more than money.  I had a church choose me to do their pianos.
The last music person left and the new one wanted a change.  I did their
pianos for a couple of years and, yes another music director came in.  It
wasn't that he disliked me, it was just that he grew up with this other
tuner taking care of his pianos.  Go figure, there could be a thousand
reasons.  The thing that is the hardest for me is to be thick skinned about
it all.

 

William

 

 

 

 

PIANO BOUTIQUE

William Benjamin

Piano Tuner Extraordinaire

www.pianoboutique.biz

The tuner alone,

preserves the tone.

 

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Kallie Swanepoel
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 4:04 PM
To: 'Pianotech List'
Subject: RE: piano tuning- fickle church accounts

 

Hi Avery and all

 

This was the best opinion on this subject to my knowledge so far.

 

It seems to be all about cost.  This is unfortunately the best way too loose
existing clients, churches or not.

 

However, I'll never use the "cut throat" strategy myself, but for some
reason some of the piano technicians in our city believe that they might get
much more work if they can do the work as cheap as possible. Although I'm
not the cheapest in town, I still have enough work to feed my family.

 

Kallie Swanepoel

 

Piano Tuner/Klavierstemmer

 

Skype Name:
KallieSwanepoel

Phone: +27 (0) 12 379 3762
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 261 6942
Voice Link: +27 (0) 88 129 8775
Fax: +27 (0) 86 633 2999

http://www.kallieswanepoel.co.za <http://www.kallieswanepoel.co.za/> 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Avery
Sent: 01 November 2006 21:58
To: Pianotech List
Subject: RE: piano tuning- fickle church accounts

Dean, etc. 

In my experience, it's usually because someone contacted them who's cheaper
than you are. It normally doesn't have much to do with the quality of your
work! :-( Thankfully, the few churches I do work for are faithful to me! Not
to the price! 

Avery 

At 07:20 AM 11/1/2006, you wrote:



I just lost a long time church account, no reason given. It is pretty
frustrating as I have supplied concert pianos to them at no cost in years
past for special events. The last time I was out their dampchaser was
unplugged. I plugged it in, reminded them how important it was to keep it
plugged in and came back in two weeks. It was unplugged again. I helped them
get set up with an extension cord to plug it in further away. Now I'm out
$170+ for two missed appointments. Next time I call the secretary tells me
the board has decided to use someone else. Sigh. Twice I've nearly stopped
by the church to press them for a reason, but I've decided to take the high
road.
 
Whenever the pianist changes, music director or pastor, we are in danger of
losing the account. Loyalty isn't real high. That's why it is important to
send regular reminders to the office to let them know you are out there. 
 
Dean
 

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [ mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
<mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org> ] On Behalf Of Leslie Bartlett
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:24 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: FW: piano tuning
 
Years ago, a newbie, I tuned for this large church.  About three years in
they replaced me without telling me.  That has been a few.  So I wrote their
organist and asked him if he could recall why they replaced me. The reply
left me somewhat amused.  Thought I would share it FWIW.
les bartlett
 

  _____  

From: Scott / FoundryChurch] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 9:58 AM
To: l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net
Cc: Joleen
Subject: piano tuning
Hi Les,
 
To be honest, I cannot remember much about why we changed tuners. We have
actually had several tuners over the years.
 
I wish the best of luck to you in your continued endeavors.
 
SCOTT
 

 

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