<HTML>In a message dated 3/15/2002 7:48:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, davidlovepianos@earthlink.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:Re: Fees Date:3/15/2002 7:48:45 PM Pacific Standard Time From:<A HREF="mailto:davidlovepianos@earthlink.net">davidlovepianos@earthlink.net</A> Reply-to:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet            David </BLOCKQUOTE>          Excellent post and well thought out. I came to similar conclusions some time ago precipitated by what it cost me to leave the shop where I spend most of my time. If the shop rate is $60.00 per hour byt the time I leave perform the service and return to the shop or go to the next appointment usually 2 hr. or more are consumed. In that time I can remedy the tuning and minor stuff as you mention and find it easier to assess other needs as I'm getting aquatinted with the piano and then recommend a follow up if they wish.      Also consider what other in home service people charge for a typical service call. It's almost always at least a hundred bucks. Have your fireplace cleaned or the sink unclogged or whatever. Are we worth less? <<<<<<<<<Dale Erwin<<<<<<<< <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> My fee for 1.5 hours would not be cheating myself.  The incident which precipitated this was a phone call, it went something like this:  Hello, how much do you charge for a tuning? Well my basic fee is ___. Well the piano hasn't been tuned in 15 years. Well then it could be more if I have to make a pitch correction before fine tuning. Oh, and also, there are several notes sticking. Well it depends on what is causing them to stick, it might be a minor thing and it might not.  I'll have to assess the problem at the piano. Oh, and also the tone is so harsh and bright, is that included in your fee? Well, no.  That falls under the category of tone regulation and it is difficult to make an assessment not having seen the piano. You mean it might cost more? Well, yes. And the pedals are making a terrible racket.  Is that included. Well, it depends on the problem.  Why don't we schedule to get the piano tuned and I'll be better able to advise you then.  Oh I don't know, it all sounds a little vague to me. Yes, to me too... Sound familiar?  Charging by the hour is easier and fairer. David Love </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>