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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>This thread has been quite educational. I
sent my post and left for two days of driving and university tunings (yes.
I, too, apparantly don't charge enough.), so this a.m. was my first look at the
angst. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>First, and most important, my comments were meant
to say only this. (And by the way, I do monitor rates around here
to make sure I am always at or near the top. So I do understand
<STRONG><EM>Econ 101.</EM></STRONG>) Sometimes there are mitigating
circumstances that reduce the validity of the idea that if you are too
busy, you are not charging enough. The hardships of a major catastrophe
such as Katrina may be just that. Think of the good will a
conscientious businessman such as Lance can accomplish by, instead of soaking it
to someone who is desperate for a competent technician, taking the initiative
and providing an opportunity for his customers, his business, and another
technician. (aside...my hats off to anyone who can do that. I have
tried to have someone help me, but it is just too hard on
me.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>Also, I hope noone thought I was indicating Lance
was overcharging. I was definitely not implying that!!!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>But gouging? I stick to my guns on
that. I have seen it, and it actually relates to more than just
price. <FONT face=Arial size=4>Here is an example. A
technician may be an (only) ok tuner, but establishes a successful practice,
then is also doing major restoration work. People are used to his
name, he seems sincere, they think he has a good reputation as the 'go to guy',
and so they do. But his work is like this....when he puts in a pinblock,
he cuts it out on the bandsaw and screws it into the piano. No fitting at
the flange, no glue or dowels on a S&S or M&H. When he regulates,
it is by the specs with no interest on how those specs play. And it all
looks great because it is precise and accurate and consistent.....but completely
wrong. Top off the </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=4>pinblock
fit problem by pushing the plate out of position to the point of
making #88 as short as 46 mm,use Falconwood or Delignit with too small a drill
bit, leave the coils 8-12 mm off the plate(I think to combat too-tight pins) and
you have pianos that are as good as impossible to tune. In times of flood,
he "repaired" all the pianos he could get his hands on, even some that should
have hauled away. He, too, charged all that the market would
bear.</FONT> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>Ebeneezer Scrooge was only adhereing to the
principles of ECON 101, but I have never heard anyone rooting for him when I see
"A Christmas Carol". </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>I must <STRONG><U>ALWAYS</U></STRONG> know
that I have given a fair value to a customer. Once again, I do not
strive for inexpensive, </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=4>just
fair. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>For what it's worth, a couple years ago I raised my
rates 28%. It put me well above all the others in the area, and like
Lance, I found no relief.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>There are customers out there that have not found a
competent technician. I don't pretend to know who's fault that is, but I
do know it is not always easy to combat. My wife once got me a
framed enscription that says, <U>"I do not have to tune every piano in North
Dakota!"</U>, because apparantly I was on some sort of a crusade to try and deal
with that problem. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>Tim G</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4></FONT> </DIV>
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