First, PTG _does_ have a professional bulletin on pitch raising, written several years ago by Bill Spurlock. It's one of the best explanations I've ever seen, written in layman's language, professionally presented on an 8x11, hard stock, soft color page, for educating the piano owner. I've used it successfully for years. Second, PTG _does_ have professional brochures on how to care for your piano, including recommendations from the major piano manufacturers for tuning schedules. I've used them successfully for years. As a matter of fact, PTG has a stock of written materials that explains just about every aspect for the care and maintenance of the piano. Just look in your Journal, call the Home Office or ask your RVP. Want to educate your customers and maybe yourself? These are a great place to start. Now as to pricing, we USA piano technicians are one of the last, fortunate, few NOT to be regulated by the government. I don't know about you guys, but I certainly don't want that to change. One of the best aspects, IMHO, of a free society is that we, as individuals, set our own fees. As a matter of fact if we were to collude here and set prices, we would all be setting ourselves up for charges of price fixing. Supply and demand regulate the prices the customers are willing to pay. Our own ethical behavior sets what we charge. It certainly would be nice if we all had the same ethical standards; however history proves over and over again that just isn't the case. I personally can do a p/r and tuning, on an at least halfway decent instrument, in an hour, and I teach a class on how to do it (and will be teaching it again in Kansas City). Now, just because I can do this doesn't mean that everyone one else is required to so do. Do I charge extra for pitch raises? You bet I do. I'm in this profession to earn a living, not to be a philanthropist. If I were rich enough not to charge for my services then I wouldn't be in this profession. No matter how you define what we do, what we actually sell is our knowledge and time. That's the service we provide. And if I don't charge for my service, I don't pay my mortgage, etc. Bill, if you really want to have a standard to uphold, get a copy of the PTG Mission Statement and our Code of Ethics. These very well describe our standards. They're not perfect but they're a darn good place to start. And if you want to make them better, then join and help make positive change. Gina Gina Carter, Charlotte NC
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