Agreed, you have to leave first time appointments semi-open ended because you really don't know what you're getting into. I was addressing the issue of necessarily charging first time customers which some people do. I've given up the practice and prefer to simply charge for the level of service. I don't like to build in a reason for a first time customer not to call me. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ken & Pat Gerler Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 2:49 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] basic or full service David, If I arrive and find the instrument has been meticulously serviced (including cleaning/vacuuming inside so I don't stir up dust) by a previous quality technician, then it is just my "basic" fee for servicing IF all I have to do is tune the instrument. It is just that I advise the customer ahead of time, THAT on my first visit, IF the instrument has not been maintained previously, there will be more than a tuning fee. Ken Gerler ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net> To: <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 8:39 AM Subject: Re: [pianotech] basic or full service Higher fees on first time calls make sense sometimes but what if someone is just switching techs and the piano has otherwise been regularly serviced? Aren't you discouraging them from making the switch by charging them a higher fee where, as in this case, it may not be warranted? I gave up automatically charging a higher first time fee for that reason. In fact, I know a tech locally who offers a discount for the first time fee in order to encourage people to switch technicians. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com I have watched all the "traffic" on the "basic" or "full" service and I (or my wife) tell/s anyone "searching" for service on an acoustic piano my procedures. On a first call, they can expect a higher charge than a minimum fee for service, as I will not service an instrument if I can not leave it in some sort of playing condition; i.e. all notes working whether the regulation is perfect or not, but no bobbling hammers or sluggishness anywhere. Those things give "fits" to the person trying to play the instrument. Ken Gerler
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