In a message dated 9/10/98 7:29:41 AM Central Daylight Time, rob_sv@email.msn.com writes: << I lost a couple early on because I was too gung-ho in reporting every last little thing about their pianos: bridge cracks in treble or bass - things that weren't going to make much difference in the short run, and which I could've presented differently in the long run (and repaired). "Insult my fine piano, will ya? Begone!" Rob Stuart-Vail >> Many a wise old tuner would tell me in my early days to "Jus' tune 'em". I learned the hard way that this is especially important on the first visit. Even if the customer asked if there was anything else needed, it was often important to let it be known that the piano was OK for the time being. Ironically, today I am practically forced to abide by this advice. Sure, I have time for perhaps 1/2 hour worth of non-tuning services but it is still important not to make a big deal out of them, "just a few minor, ordinary adjustments that all pianos need from time to time" (for a small extra charge) (the cracked bass bridge will still be cracked next time and for the forseeable future). Keeping pianos clean has always been important to me but sometimes, cleaning the piano without discussing it with the customer only insults them. The question then becomes, "Why didn't the *other* tuner ever clean?" or "Is this something *I* should have been doing?". It helps a lot when the customer sees the dust or dirt and makes the suggestion. I remember a customer I had when I was 29 years old who questioned my "inspection" of the piano in her son's fraternity house by saying, "My tuner *never* looks!". When I tried to explain to her what I was doing, she cut me off by saying, "You're too *young* to know these things!". Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC