[pianotech] justify pitch raise

[Ryan Sowers]

I used to carry around a needle type guitar tuner for showing client's
pitch. This was a tip I got once from Isaac Sadigursky. However I haven't
bothered for many years. I don't recall ever having to justify raising
pitch. We explain to people on the phone that the SERVICING (notice not
tuning) will be X amount of dollars for a 2-hour appointment. This will
include raising the piano to standard pitch if necessary, and depending on
time may include some minor cleaning, regulating and/or voicing. We then
tell them if the piano has been well maintained it could be lower, but I
won't know until I see the piano.

An idea I got recently from L.A. Tech Carl Lieberman. When we quote our
prices over the phone we quote the maximum price first - since this is what
people are most likely to remember. Then they can be plesantly surprised if
the piano doesn't require as much time. We usually prepare people for the 2
hour appointment if they are a first time customer.

On Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 10:25 PM, Leslie Bartlett
<l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> I tuned for a first time customer today,a  piano teacher who said her Kawai
> G3 had been regularly tuned (6-months) for years, and then missed a year
> because the technician retired.  Unfortunately the piano was a disaster. In
> Tunelab I could save all the overpull measurements and show the lady (a
> masters degreed teacher) each note and it's relation to "0 cents".  Seeing
> the mess, she understood immediately because she had a visual reference to
> justify my contention.  But she was in agreement that had I just walked
> in,and said "you need to pay me for a pitch raise", she would have been less
> than sympathetic.
>
> My question is "How do the strictly aural tuners justify or "prove" a need
> for serious pitch raise, convincing people of the veracity of the claim?"
>  It seems with no measurable reference which provides some kind of proof
> other than opinion, could be very problematic.   Opinions please. Thanks
> les bartlett
>
>


-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net
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