Deal...or No Deal?

[David Love]

"Thank you very much for calling.  I'd be glad to come and tune the piano.
You're probably right, the change in temperature and humidity could have
impacted the tuning.  Since I didn't tune the piano to begin with and can't
be sure what it really needs I'll need to plan to do a complete tuning.
Expect the fee to be $$$.  When would be a good time for you and I'll see if
I can work it into my schedule?  Oh, and who will I be billing for this?
For the future, you might consider installing a humidity control system.
That might lessen the impact of a sudden change in the environment.  I can
do that while I'm there if you like.  The price is $$$ plus a bit of tax for
the Governor, of course.  After I'm done tuning I can let you know if
there's anything else I notice that might be affecting tuning stability.
Thanks again, I look forward to meeting you."  

 

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net
www.davidlovepianos.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Tom Sivak
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 6:39 PM
To: pianotech
Subject: Deal...or No Deal?

 

List

 

Well this is a new one on me...

 

I got a call today from a pianist in the next suburb over.  I have never
tuned his piano.  He is also the music director at a local church.  I also
do not tune the piano at the church, although I would be happy to do both
his and the church's since they're very close to my home.

 

He explained to me that they had a concert at the church a couple of days
ago and the piano had been tuned for the concert.  They are having another
concert this Saturday night and a couple of notes have slipped out of tune.
He said that it had gotten extremely hot in the room and they had to open
all the windows, and he felt that this was instrumental in the piano
slipping out of tune.

Let me reiterate that it was not I that tuned this piano in the first place.

 

He wanted to know, since I was so close, if I had the time to stop by and
just tune up the notes that had slipped.  He said, "I'm sure it will only
take you a couple of minutes."  

 

There was no mention of renumeration for this visit in his message, but I
just got the sense that he wanted me to just come by and do this as a favor.
(I know the vocalist performing in the concert, but not him.) The comment
that it would only take a couple of minutes seemed to indicate that if he
was planning on paying me for this, he didn't want it to cost much.

 

What would you say to this man if it were you?  

 

I certainly could use his business, and I do like to go out of my way to
help people, but I felt conflicted over the possibility of getting his
business versus the possibility of being taken advantage of.

 

I could tell you all what I told him, but I wonder what others might say in
this situation, so I'll withhold my response to him so as to not influence
anyone.  (This is assuming someone actually responds to my post!)

 

Tom Sivak

Chicago

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