It's a trust thing. I suppose it does depend on where one lives. Here in GR, it is not a big deal and with a reputation that the Groot's have developed (not bragging, just making a point) people know that we are honest. Customers leave doors open for me constantly. I have master keys to every place that has a piano in Calvin College AND their dorms, both sides, girls and boys. Pianos reside in both sections. I have keys to churches and other places as well. They know me and know exactly what I will be doing and do not worry about a thing and neither do I. I just go in and do my job coming and going as necessary for tools or supplies. Many times, the customer lets me in and leaves telling me which door to exit or even to just leave the door open, don't worry about locking it. I admit that I'm not comfortable with not locking it and if they mention nothing about leaving it open, I always lock it when I leave for my own sake. Although, I have locked their kids out when doing that. I thought it was kind of funny but, they didn't know that. I leave bills on pianos expecting payment and always get it. Oh sure, we always have those occasional ones who like to pay 3 months later but most pay within 30 days. I learned a very long time ago that if you trust them and show it, they will also trust you and if we continue to prove this trust, it will only improve their trust with us and it will also get us more and more referrals. On the other hand, if we show that we don't trust them by insisting that someone always be there, they will always have that little bit of 'wondering about us' in their minds. That's my opinion on it anyway. From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Terry Farrell Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 5:11 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] a new one for me Wow. IMHO, you are really taking a chance. If it is a long time customer, maybe not so big a deal. One time I tuned a piano for a new customer and they were not home - they left a key outside for me and mailed me a check - I never saw anyone. I felt VERY uncomfortable with that arrangement - not sure why I actually went through with it - I'll never do that again. Just seems way too much chance of problems. Terry Farrell On Aug 21, 2009, at 8:07 PM, Qshooterq at aol.com wrote: 20% of my tunings are done with no one home, and most of those with no one to greet me. Even some brand new customers. ---Tom Gorley _____ avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 090821-0, 08/21/2009 Tested on: 8/22/2009 11:22:15 AM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2009 ALWIL Software. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090822/05ee5f68/attachment-0001.htm>
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