<html> <body> Hi Norma, I don't have a problem with that at all. I worked at a dealership for free for over a year, gaining experience. The dealer was a tuner and he also had one working for him. One day, he decided I was worth paying! :-) But I was responding to the "dealers" who try to take advantage of you just because you're new. I do some work now for a dealer who's not like that! He wants his instruments (especially the grands) to be in good shape! I don't charge him a WHOLE lot, but I do charge him! Besides, he usually takes me to lunch, pays the motel bill and gives be money over what my bill is. I consider myself lucky to do work for a dealer like that! Avery Todd University of Houston At 08:06 PM 2/12/2007, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> Hi David,  Avery,   With all due respect, I think it's a little different for those of us who have been in the business only a few years.  We're trying to build clientele and gain experience.  I have done many pitch raises and other work for less money than I should have received, but in return I gain clients, knowledge and the opportunity to polish my skills.  I will never let myself be taken advantage of but being demanding as a rookie, either with dealers or clients will get you no where.    Doing the odd thing for free is really not so bad when you look at it in this light,  and not all dealers are pond scum.....they're just people too.  "It's a give and take world"......"You reap what you sow"....Clichés perhaps, but true none the less.  I just happen to be in the giving and sewing mode at the moment,  the taking and reaping will come later.   Best regards,   Norma Neufeld Saskatoon, SK   <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:avery1@houston.rr.com">Avery</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</a> <dd>Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 3:06 PM <dd>Subject: Re: Paid for Pitch Raises? <dd>David, <dd>I totally agree! <dd>Avery Todd <dd>At 12:12 PM 2/12/2007, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <dd>Daniel---please don't take this personally, brother, but you've triggered off a rant. <dd>What the HELL are you people doing----working without getting paid? That's insane. <dd>You really need to check your approach to life, IMO, if you submit to this kind of bullshit. <dd>Raising the pitch on a piano takes WORK---intense work, between 20 and 40 minutes, if done right. To not get paid for that, or to work for people who don't intend to pay you for that, is dysfunctional. Period. What are you thinking about? Would you ever ask any other kind of service tech to come to your house or business and work for 20-40 minutes FOR FREE? <dd>Never. NEVER. <dd>Wake up. WAKE UP. You need to start valuing your time, your life, and your skills. <dd>Stand up for yourself, and tell that a**h**le who owns that  store to sell you a piano for his cost. <dd>See what he says. Wake up. <dd>Until we demand respect and acknowledgement for our immense knowledge and skillset we'll be treated like field hands, or dismissable underlings, or naive idiots, or pathetic losers. <dd>There. I feel better now. <dd>David Andersen </dl></blockquote></blockquote></body> </html>