You are right Ryan. I cannot count the times a client said "my hammers were "replaced" when in fact, they were only filed. And sometimes quite badly at that. Or, "my piano was rebuilt" when it was only reconditioned a little bit at best. To them, because they might have spent $700, it was rebuilt! They get lost in the mumble jumble of terminology. "KISS." "Keep it simple stupid" is always best when explaining anything to a client. I itemize everything that I do. That does not mean that I itemize all prices separately, I do not. I simply itemize filing hammers, tightening action flange screws, space hammers to strings, mate hammers to strings etc., then at the end place a total cost for the estimate. I then go through and explain everything as simply as possible sticking to the point making sure to answer any and all questions. I often make mention of the cost of replacement for something comparable. This too, brings them down to earth as to what they would be spending if they traded it instead. Jer From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Sowers Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 11:23 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Definition of Rebuilding I think the main thing that clients need to understand when accepting any bid for substantial work on their piano is to not just know what they are getting but to **KNOW WHAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING**. Like others have mentioned, there are many piano owners who think their piano has been completely "rebuilt" (the other great term is completely "gone through") because it received a new set of bridle tapes, keytops, a quick hammer reshaping, and a ballpark regulation. It might of even had all the "pads" replaced. Clients don't have a clue to all the details involved in our work. I think when talking about a project its always best to start out with the complete job: if its a grand probably in the neighborhood of $30,000 and maybe $25,000 for an upright. Explain that this is what it cost to make it like new. This brings the client down to earth, and often puts a look of awe on their face. When they understand that rebuilding/remanufacturing a piano is NOT easier than (the factory) building a fine piano from scratch it makes it seem (more) reasonable. I then let the client know that there is a huge area between the complete job and doing nothing, and that we can try to help them find a package that makes sense for them. But again, at least they know what they are giving up. -- Ryan Sowers, RPT Puget Sound Chapter Olympia, WA www.pianova.net _____ avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 10/19/2010 Tested on: 10/19/2010 1:36:28 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2010 AVAST Software. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20101019/cc0d6433/attachment.htm>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC