Paid for Pitch Raises?

[A440A at aol.com]

Jon writes: 

  >One can get an appreciable tuning in one pass within -16c. Beyond 

that it shows on the extremes >>

Gee, I dunno.  I suppose every tech has their own curve, but I just can't let 
a 16 cent raise go in one pass. (I consider 5 or 6 cents the limit for a one 
pass, non-recording criteria tuning),  It is rare that the double octaves end 
up acceptable to me with that much change going in. 
      I have a pitch raise procedure that takes about 15 minutes to get the 
pitch up to 440, or if it is in the middle of winter, I raise to 439, summer 
maybe 441.  If the piano is flat enough to need it, I raise it quickly and then 
tune it.  I also have a standard $150 charge for first time customers which 
buys the time to tighten plate bolts, settle the strings, and do a pitch raise. 
If a pitch raise is not needed, I can vacuumm and play with pedals, etc. to 
round out the 90 minute service call.  This charge also weeds out the price 
shoppers, a particular type of customer I have just been in business too long to 
want. 
      Sometimes, the piano needs far more.  That means a second trip.  
regards, 

Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html