[pianotech] loss of a day's work

[Robert Wilson]

A reminder call the day before isn't always the answer.  It they decide to cancel at that late stage it may save you the journey over, but it may be too late to fill that appointment for the next day, you are almost giving them a chance to cancel.

I'm afraid these things happen from time to time.

Bob Wilson.

--- On Thu, 9/4/09, Ryan Sowers <tunerryan at gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Ryan Sowers <tunerryan at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] loss of a day's work
> To: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>, pianotech at ptg.org
> Date: Thursday, 9 April, 2009, 6:45 AM
> What a disappointment, David. I usually
> just figure these kinds of things happen from time to time
> -luckily its very rare. If you haven't noticed yet,
> sometimes people are flaky. Sometimes I'm flaky too.
> We're all human. 
> 
> 
> I can understand you wanting to bill for your time but I
> would worry about burning the bridge permanently. Its times
> like these that I'm glad I have a few projects in the
> shop that always need some attention. 
> 
> 
> This is also a good reason to do reminder calls the day
> before. We almost always do this. And for this reason we
> only deal with no-shows about once or twice a year. We look
> at it as a professional courtesy. A little extra
> communication is generally a good thing. 
> 
> 
> I've really tried hard to build a reputation as being
> easy to work with. In your case I would have apologized for
> the miscommunication (even if it WAS the other person's
> fault), and found something else to do that day. There is no
> way the teacher is going to see it your way. Teachers and
> schools have been such terrific networking opportunities I
> usually bend over backwards to try to make them happy. 
> 
> 
> Just my 2 cents worth. 
> 
> On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 10:26 PM,
> David Ilvedson <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
>   
>     
>   
>   
>     List,
>      
>     Excuse my rant...I booked a full day at a music
> school in Mountain View, California.   I've tuned for
> her several times...8 pianos.   We booked this for last
> Tuesday, she said she was having a meeting with her teachers
> but would meet in adjoining room so we could work.   I had
> 6 hours for do 8 pianos so I brought a fellow tuner that is
> working for me.   We arrived at 9 am and she said she was
> surprised to see me, since I hadn't confirmed the
> appointment...it was a set appointment as far as I was
> concerned.   We confirmed it a week before.   She said
> she had made other arrangements?   I was flabbergasted
> that instead of calling me again if she had a question on
> the appointment, she instead call another tuner...I sent her
> a bill for the travel time and the wasted day.   If anyone
> on this list happens to be the other tuner, I'd be
> interested in what she said to him/her.   No hard feelings
> of course...it's her problem.   Does anyone else think
> it a little strange to call and make an appointment and then
> make other arrangements instead of checking with the
> original technician first?   I do not remember a
> confirmation request...but I suppose it is possible...but
> still she was on the phone...why call someone else instead
> of me?   
> 
>      
>     David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA 94044
> 
>   
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Ryan Sowers, RPT
> Puget Sound Chapter
> Olympia, WA
> www.pianova.net
> 
>