Level of Service

[Richard Brekne]

Ron makes a great point here folks... and I concure 1 billion percent with the
usefullness of that opening line. I always ask just as I am beggining to open
up the piano if there is anything wrong with it, or if tuning is all it needs.
In addition to what Ron points out below, this also provides the tuner with
very valuable information about the type of customer you are dealing with. The
way they answer this opening line will almost always tell you what you need to
know about what kind of service they are after on a concious level. Another
good thing to do is to be observant about the kind of music laying around. If
its heavy on the Bartok, Bethoveen and Blarmothlious then its a good bet the
piano player is a real live pianist. If its more like The BEE GEES greatest
hits...well....grin.. anyways use your wits and keep your eyes open. A lot of
this is sixth sense stuff me thinks.

Ron Nossaman wrote:

> >I've wondered if I should ask each client what level of service they want,
> >maybe the first time I see the piano.  Does anyone do that?
> >
> >Regards, Clyde
>
> The very fist thing I do, before the tool case is even opened, is ask if
> there is anything I need to be looking for besides tuning. This does a
> couple of things that I consider to be important. It establishes that there
> is more to maintenance than just tuning, that I am capable of making
> necessary repairs and willing to do so, and hopefully gives the impression
> that I care enough about them getting good therapeutic use of the
> instrument to ask in the first place. Besides, with an intermittent
> customer, the need for a repair of some sort is usually the reason for the
> appointment and they won't mention what they really wanted fixed until the
> piano is tuned, the tools are put away, and you are handing them the bill.
> This heads them off at the pass.
>
> Ron N

--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway
mailto:Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no