[pianotech] Providing Options - Was Spinet Repetition Problems

[Chuck Behm]

You've both hit the nail on the head, John and Dean. It's all about giving
the customer options, the pros and cons of those options, and letting them
decide. Jiffy Leads vs. lead inserts in the keysticks are two options - one
quicker and more economical, the other more "factory-like," but also more
time-consuming (and expensive).

To use another example, if an old upright has loose tuning pins, we can CA
it, we can install oversized pins, or we can take the piano to the shop,
remove the plate to put in a new pinblock or pinblock panels, and repin
with # 2 pins. Big difference in terms of time and money, but all options
which the customer might want to consider.

Same with a lot of replacement parts. Plastic elbows or wooden elbows?
Repair clips for a brass rail or a whole new brass rail? Cork-tipped bridle
straps or original style braided straps? The list could go on and on.

When I said Joe repaired the keys the "right" way (by installing leads in
the keystick vs. putting on Jiffy Leads), I probably should have said he
did it the "factory" way. What is right is more what meets the customer's
needs. If a less expensive way of doing things is what the customer wants,
then that is the right way.

Sorry if my comment struck you the wrong way, Dean.

In my experience, most customers will choose economy over aesthetics any
day, as long as the results are the same.  Chuck


>If lead is needed in the keys, what I would do is give my customers a
choice. Either have the leads on the top of the keystick, or in the
keystick. Give a price for each method, with pros and cons, and let the
customer decide. I don't think the keystick cares either way. :-)

John Formsma, RPT
Blue Mountain, MS

>If Jiffy Leads are fully functional, do not take away the aesthetic look
of the outside cabinet the customer sees, last just as long, AND SAVES THE
 CUSTOMER MONEY, why would they not be considered ?doing the job right??***

Dean W. May
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