The only way IMO to charge is by the hour. I start off by quoting my basic tuning fee informing them that does NOT include pitch raises or repairs. Not all pianos are created equal. Some require more time and effort than do others and therefore, cost more to work on. If they inquire, "and how much extra is that?" I say, a pitch raise usually, runs up to $40 more 'in most cases but not all.' Again, it depends on the piano. As for repairs, if there are any, I go by an hourly rate. If it normally takes me one hour to tune the piano, my tuning rate is my hourly rate. That is, should I choose to return the phone call at all. You can tell many times by the tone in their voice or by their description, "I just got a FREE piano from bargain corner, or from my neighbor, it hasn't been tuned they said in 55 years etc." I may not even bother to return that call but, probably will just to be polite. But, if they leave me a message stating "at this time, I am only price shopping." Forget it then. I'm way more than double the cost of the cheapest tuner in town. If all they are interested in is pricing, I'm not interested in their piano either. They more than likely will have to concerns about fixing anything and in many cases will expect a tuning to include everything even if you explained otherwise in advance because they are not really listening or not paying attention. On the other hand, if they are interested in quality, integrity and honesty, now I'm willing to at least talk with you. It is often at this time the client will inform me that such and such note sticks or doesn't play at all. One note is lower (they mean key) than another or, the pedals aren't working properly etc. How much will that cost? My answer to them? I can't see your piano over the phone any more than your car mechanic can see your car over the phone and diagnose the problem. Neither of us could give you an accurate guesstimate of the cost will be without seeing it firsthand. Parts are extra. But I can tell you my hourly rate and that many times, I am only there for x amount of time and for this amount of time it will cost you x amount of dollars. Continuing that if it is anything major, then I will leave an estimate and return to finish it at a later (provided the piano is worth fixing) date seeing as how I only allow for tuning and minor repairs for a "tuning appointment." We have no idea until we see the piano how much time is really going to be required or if the piano is even worth it. I refuse to make myself late for the next client because they have neglected their piano and now it needs 5 hours worth of fixing stuff. No, I do NOT condemn pianos for nothing. It is NOT my fault their piano is no longer worth anything. It is not my fault they bought something without first contacting a technician to look at it or at least to have asked us questions about it beforehand. If it happens to be a spinet and if I have to remove the action, you bet it will cost them more. Simple logic. With "most" spinets, the keys also have to be removed first which takes considerably more time than removing a console or larger action. Often times on the older spinets, the little rubber grommets might start breaking too. It is fairly easy to figure out how much to charge people once you familiar with doing a certain amount of work on them from past experience over the years with the same brand of piano. I don't tune square grand's, period so that solves one problem for me. I also refuse to tune those Baldwin's with tuning pins on the back that requires a music stand, a mirror and a bit of contorting to get at the tuning pins. But, if I did, I would charge more just because of the hassle of it all. By the way, my secretary came in this week, worked a total of 4 hours and set up 26 tunings. Last week, she also worked 4 hours but set up I forget, something like 48 tunings. This currently has me booked half way through October now, 1 week is filled in November and 2 weeks in December are booked out. It's a great feeling to know I do not have to worry about what I am doing for the next 3 months and longer. Jer From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Terry Farrell Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 7:18 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] business That was for Wim. I charge by the hour. Terry Farrell On Jul 2, 2010, at 12:34 AM, Matthew Todd wrote: And how do we charge as we "see fit" if we haven't seen the piano yet, and most customers would like a price over the phone before you have a chance to "see fit"? TODD PIANO WORKS Matthew Todd, Piano Technician (979) 248-9578 http://www.toddpianoworks.com <http://www.toddpianoworks.com/> --- On Fri, 7/2/10, Terry Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com> wrote: From: Terry Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com> Subject: Re: [pianotech] business To: pianotech at ptg.org Date: Friday, July 2, 2010, 2:06 AM Right. Charge as you see fit. Terry Farrell -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100702/7e2897cb/attachment-0001.htm>
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