<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3132" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Well, you aren't really that stuck. Any tech working for a
dealer has to walk the balancing act you are facing. The dealer (speaking as a
former dealer myself) is obviously concerned with maximizing his profit. His
overhead and expenses are huge. You need to do everything in your power to
assist him towards that end. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Speaking also as a tech who used to work for a dealer doing
what you are doing, I know many times I would have to "eat" work just to make
things come out all right for the customer and the dealer. If I did $40-$80
worth of extra, I could usually slip an extra $10-25 charge onto the
dealer's bill without asking permission. Just note on the invoice the time it
took, your regular rate, and the dealer's maximum discounted rate. Explain
that the work had to be done. You get a little money for your efforts and the
pill isn't quite as bitter.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>It sounds like there are some things you could do
differently to alleviate your stress. First, you obviously don't have to use
WD40. Use Goose Juice or Protek instead. If you need to repin, just do it. Once
you get good it doesn't take that long. You have to isolate the components
giving you the excess friction. Likely the problem is in the keys. Carefully fit
the keys. Make sure the balance rail mortise is cut deep enough. Ease the
balance rail hole enough so that the key drops on the pin. Make sure there isn't
excess drag on the bushings. Then use a pipe cleaner and coat the bushings with
teflon powder. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Second, I can't imagine how you can tune a new piano twice
and it still be going flat. You need to examine your pitch raising techniques
and make some changes. Reyburn CyberTuner would be a huge help here.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=314255122-18072007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Then accept the fact that you might have to do some work
and not get paid. Think of it as a cost of doing business. How much would
you pay to get one new customer that will have their piano tuned every 6 months
for the next 20 years, and tell 10 of their friends about you?
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Bradley Hand ITC'">Dean</SPAN></B><?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></P><O:P></O:P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1
/><ST1:PERSONNAME u1:st="on">Dean
May</ST1:PERSONNAME>
cell 812.239.3359 <O:P></O:P></SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">PianoRebuilders.com
812.235.5272 <O:P></O:P></SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><ST1:PLACE u1:st="on"><ST1:CITY
u1:st="on">Terre Haute</ST1:CITY> <ST1:STATE u1:st="on">IN</ST1:STATE>
<ST1:POSTALCODE u1:st="on">47802</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoAutoSig><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV></ST1:POSTALCODE></ST1:PLACE>
<DIV> </DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org
[mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Steven
Hopp<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, July 18, 2007 4:54 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
pianotech@ptg.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Wanting to do it right<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>Hello all,</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE> </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>I guess I am writing this as a vent rather than a request.
I work for a well known piano dealer in my area who's business has been around
for over 30 years. I do some warranty tunings and some repair. The
owner has been like gold to me. Helping me whenever he can. Allowing
me to work on my own projects in his shop. Of course he gets floor and
warranty tunings at a discount so it is very win win. However, when
it comes to some things he wants me to cut corners. For example, I just
did a warranty tuning for a piano he delivered and it was 100 cents flat.
I pulled it up to pitch and did two tunings that day and plan to do go work on
it again as it is already going flat. Typical for such a piano.
However, he wanted me to leave it flat and just do a "touch up" on the
tuning. Also several of the high treble hammers and one of the bass
hammers were sluggish and need some attention. I couldn't give it at that
time but he now says just spray it with some WD-40 and it will be fine.
There are other things that he wants me to do that I just won't do. I need
this association but how do you tell the guy you won't do some things and still
get paid? If I had left the piano flat and the lady eventually called
another tuner for whatever reason - I would look like the moron not him.
Just a note in my life. Any thoughts and or empathy are welcome.
</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE> </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>Steven</DIV></DIV><BR clear=all>
<HR>
<A href="http://g.msn.com/8HMAENUS/2728??PS=47575" target=_top>Need a brain
boost? Recharge with a stimulating game. Play now! </A> </BODY></HTML>