ethics question

[Robin Blankenship]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
Rick,
David is absolutely correct. Just do the best work that you can and be =
patient. I've had plenty of customers use somebody else........once. =
And, when you get them back, DO NOT denigrate the other tuner(s). Often, =
it is a matter of personal taste on the customer's part. While it is =
true that we are "competitors" for business, it also true that our =
common "foe" is actually the limits of the piano's abilities to sound =
and feel wonderful. Whenever another's tuner's name is mentioned, I =
always find something positive to say about them. For one thing, I do =
not wish to disparage the customer's taste or judgement. Yes, I may =
enjoy a moment of "victory" later, after I have gotten the customer =
back; but, I keep that to myself. We piano techs all need each other's =
knowledge, experience and insight in order to best "Save The Music", to =
borrow a phrase.=20

Be patient and enjoy each opportunity to service a piano. It IS a =
privilege.

Robin Blankenship
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: richard.ucci@att.net=20
  To: ilvey@sbcglobal.net ; Pianotech=20
  Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 8:36 AM
  Subject: RE: ethics question


  Thanks for the advice Dave,



  I think the fact that a strong bond was not yet created with them had =
a lot to do with it, however I do have a strong bond with the womans =
father who's piano I service and who was not pleased about the teachers =
behavior.



  RU/UP


    -------------- Original message from David Ilvedson : -------------- =


    I'd call the teacher and tell him to quit recommending the new tuner =
to your customers.   Don't get steamed on the phone with the teacher.   =
What's wrong with that?   He just may say OK unless you've really ticked =
him off somehow...;-] =20



    On a related note...you will NEVER keep all your customers.   The =
best you can do is do top notch work and be as friendly and interested =
in their piano/them as you can.   I keep names of children, pets etc. in =
my database to refer to when calling.  Most importantly keep the regular =
contact for service and that's all you can do.  Creating some sort of =
personal bond with the customers does beget loyalty.  That being said, =
I've lost oodles of customers over the years...usually from my neglect =
of contact, they moved, quit playing the piano and yes, sometimes =
another tuner is referred...



    David I.





    ----- Original message ---------------------------------------->
    From: <richard.ucci@att.net>
    To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
    Received: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 19:32:08 +0000
    Subject: ethics question


    OK guys , here's the deal.

    A piano teacher I tuned for years ago, stopped using me for reasons =
unknown, and started using a competitor.  He then started telling =
clients who were mine originally and referred to him for teaching, to =
use the other tuner.



    Last night I lost another one. The woman said," Oh we just had it =
tuned.Our teacher suggested someone else. But if it doesn't sound good =
later we'll call you".=20



    I replied ,"Thank you for your loyalty". "I'll certainly be waiting =
by the phone for your call"." I am deleting you from my files, Good =
Bye".



    Has this ever happened to you guys and what if anything can I do =
about it and still be ethical. I deal with about fifteen or more =
teachers now but I'm really starting to get steamed.



    Thanks,

    Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/b6/9f/0a/5b/attachment.htm

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--