Humidity swings

[Mike Masters]

snip

D C AL CODA wrote:
> 
> At 0907 PM 09/22/1998 -0400, you wrote
> 

> 
> I tell them that if the piano is tuned yearly, pick a date and have it
> tuned at that time every year. It does not matter when
> 
> Also, I have seen literature that says the piano should be tuned four times
> a year. I wish I could convince piano owners that this is true.-}
> 

> 
> Ken Hale, RPT
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> D C AL CODA
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> kenhale@dcalcoda.com
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List,
	I guess this is kind of a marketing response. When I first meet a 
customer I allow extra time to go over the educational (marketing) 
materials available from the home office. As part of my service, I feel 
that I need to educate my customers on the frequency of tuning 
recommended by the manufacturers and care for the piano. I don't have 
any problem telling a customer that a piano requires tuning. All 
manufacturers that I know of recommend at least (note the at least) 
twice per year. In my business I see a slew of new Baldwins, Young 
Changs, Kawais and a few others. They ALL recommend more frequent tuning 
during the first year of the life of the piano (usually four). And 
there's a reason for it. Pianos need service and thats why were here. I 
hear a lot of techs say that the summer is a slow time of year. I've 
been servicing pianos professionally for almost three years and this 
past summer was the busiest I ever want to be. I hear of techs tuning 30 
- 36 pianos in a week. I don't even want to imagine. Right now I see an 
average of 20 a week. Most of my business comes from call backs or 
return services. It all has to do with marketing. One thing I encourage 
is the PTG publications available from the home office. And also the new 
Dampp-Chaser brochures. Spend an extra 15-20 minutes with each customer 
covering how often should my piano be serviced. Chances are the 
manufacturer is listed and if not read a couple of the others. They'll 
get the idea. Along with that go over the Humidity control and Pitch 
Raising tech bulletins. This explains WHY the piano requires service. 
and then with the talk of Humidity Control, sell a Dampp-Chaser while 
you're there. You may only want to schedule three tunings a day, but 
spend the extra time and sell your services for the future WHILE YOU'RE 
THERE. Don't try to do it six months or a year later. It pays off to 
spend the extra time. Some of the school accounts are difficult though. 
A lot of schools don't have the funding to have the pianos tuned even 
once a year in my area let alone twice. Take it what its worth and Have 
some fun!

Mike Masters
Masters Piano Service
Lakewood, OH