My clients, both new and regular, are consitently impressed with my knowledge of pianos, which I *always* share with them. I love explaining, in laymens terms, what their piano may need as far as repairs, parts and/or adjustments. I routinely inspect pianos I see fir the first time in order to determine the state of the instrument. In many cases a full interior cleaning is suggested, and/or pitch raise, or action work which often includes hammer filing, replacing bridle straps, or hammer butt spring cords, etc. I charge for *each* and every one of these, and various other services. They always seem to appreciate my taking time to explain things as I proceed and understand that my fees are well earned and I charge accordingly. I am not in the habit of giving away my time, which is valuable, but at the same time, I give them the best quality and value for their money. Terry Peterson ----Original Message Follows---- From: justpianos at our.net.au Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org> Subject: Re: myths Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 08:52:16 +0900 (WST) Hi all, Look, I'm prepared to take some shtik on this point, but seriously, what is your hourly rate? You can't just walk into somebodies home, remove one or two panels from the piano, perform a minimal touch-up tune (as you've done the same thing only 12 months before), and then demand over one hundred dollars. Where's the value for your service. Ok, you're an experienced, trained craftsman (well some of you anyway), and there may be limited competition in your area, but how about keeping it real. Yes, overheads can be high, but try to keep each daily tuning list as close together as possible and reducing your advertising by encouraging referals from existing clients can certainly reduce costs. Working an 8 hour day, with travel extra (which is how the vast majority of income earners work) you can easily make $100,000- per annum, so how about giving your "client" value for their money, and keep a little respect as well. This business is not meant to be a "get-rich-quick" scheme. It might also keep out some of the quick-startup amateurs, who are in it for the money. Disassembling the piano gives you an opportunity to inspect all aspects of the action, frame and strings, enabling you to quote on maintenance repairs like hammer reshaping, or bridle tape replacing, and will definitely impress the client about your knowledge of the workings of your "craft". Hey, you might even learn something yourself about different makes and models, and it really only takes a few minutes when you build up the experience. The better you make the piano on your first visit, the less work required later. How about it guys. Bruce Browning - The Piano Tuner. > As in remove all the keys and lubricate keypins? No additional fee? You > can't be serious! > > Terry Farrell > > ----- Original Message ----- >> <<My standard tuning fee includes removing action and keys, cleaning out >> all >> debris, lubricating keypins, where required, and checking for foreign >> objects. >> Compliments of the season to all, >> Bruce Browning - The Piano Tuner.>> >> >> >> I hope your "standard tuning fee" is at least $250! My "standard tuning >> fee" consists of a "standard tuning." >> >> Terry Peterson > > > > _________________________________________________________________ Dave vs. Carl: The Insignificant Championship Series. Who will win? http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://davevscarl.spaces.live.com/?icid=T001MSN38C07001
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