In a message dated 11/25/98 1:05:03 AM Central Standard Time, JTTUNER@webtv.net writes: << Second thought, I think we piano tuners are in the wrong business! I had my electronic organ technician in my home today to repair my Hammond organ. He was here almost two hours and charged me $130.00 for his time (no parts needed). He told me that many organ technicians are up to $85.00 an hour! He also said that most pipe organ technicians charge from a low(?) $65.00 to $100.00 an hour. Now, are we in the wrong business??? Jim Turner >> Well, I am an electronic organ technician as well as a piano technician, truly the mark of a misspent youth. Organ techs have a much larger investment in service literature and parts in my experience. Usually they have to drive a van to carry it all. It may well be that the organ tech who serviced your Hammond actually makes the same or less than you do after expenses. Our business bills organ service at a 20% higher rate than piano service for the most part. It covers the additional expenses and inevitable call backs that result from owner ignorance, acts of God, and mistakes. Your tech is right in the ball park on his rates I believe. I know several organs techs who basically have a $120 minimum service call for the first hour up to a 25 mile radius. It is almost impossible to schedule organ work in a logical geographic manner, so much time is spent on the road in between calls. In short, I would be careful what you wish for, some old boy may sell you an organ business. It happened to me as a callow youth and I haven't been quite right since. Dale Dale Probst Registered Piano Technician Ward & Probst, Inc. Piano & Organ Service Wichita Falls, TX
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