Tuning price

[Warren Fisher]

Cy,
Quote them a price for doing it "right" no matter how much it is and let
them decide how much they want done. They will surprise you every time. 
If they can't do it all right now, give them a schedule they can live with
to eventually get it right. Everybody wants it done "right" and will be
willing to pay you for your time if you tell them what it takes. You are
the expert. They will take your word for it. Don't sell yourself short!
Warren
 
Warren Fisher- RPT
Navy Retired - Slidell, Louisiana 



> [Original Message]
> From: Cy Shuster <741662027@theshusters.org>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 6/21/2005 6:36:34 PM
> Subject: Re: Tuning price
>
> The reason is time, basically.
>
> Mostly what I get are 20- to 50-year-old spinets in poor shape, or worn
out 
> church studios, that haven't been serviced for two to twenty years (30 is 
> the record so far: a piano not tuned since new!).  I do as much as I can
for 
> them in two hours, which usually includes fixing the bench before I plop 
> down on it, and making all the keys play (pulling out the Happy Meal
toys, 
> nail files, and coins).
>
> In a typical 10-cent pitch raise, I do the fastest overpull pass I can do 
> (20 min.?), then make a second full pass where I set the strings and
pins, 
> and then check all the unisons by ear.
>
> With huge pitch raises, and with spinets especially, I've found that the 
> tenor and treble are still way below on the second pass.  I've tried
making 
> three and four passes on some of them, and it seems I could sit there all 
> day and not have them stabilize.
>
> So rather than charge them for a pitch raise and fine tune, and then have
to 
> do it all over the next time I come out, I just do the overpull pass and 
> clean up unisons (skipping the second pass, and charging just a basic
tune), 
> and schedule another tuning in a month or so.
>
> But this is just based on my whopping two years of experience.  If
there's a 
> better way, let me know...
>
> --Cy--