<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> Nobody can answer that for you.  You have to decide based on your market.  I would always include enough in your basic fee to cover at least 15 minutes more than your average tuning time to include the servicing a few additional items.  I can tune most regularly serviced pianos in about 30 – 45 minutes which leaves me the rest of the hour to do additional stuff in my most basic fee.  I charge for an hour and they get an hour.  If the piano needs more than that then charge for whatever extra time you need to put it.  Don’t ask, just do what needs to be done and give them the bill.  Asking and discussing it takes too much time and they often don’t understand what you’re talking about anyway.  A full service approach which I also offer (1.5 hours) leaves for me an additional 45 minutes and I decide what needs addressing unless they have a specific request.  If the piano has drifted far enough off pitch to need a pitch raise, I can always do that within the 1.5 hour time frame—usually with something left over.  All first time customers are scheduled and billed for a full service appointment.  Anyway, you’ll always find something to do so charge enough, whatever your structure, to give yourself some room.   Then if you have something really serious that will require another appointment or more time than you’ve scheduled, you can book another appointment.  That also keeps you moving through the day more or less on time from appointment to appointment.  You shouldn’t be charging them an extra nickel to tighten the bench.   If you charge enough from the outset to cover these kinds of things, they won’t complain.  If you start nickel and diming every time you open your case for a wrench, they’ll feel like you are taking advantage of them.   By the way, I think the first hour should be more than additional hours—that covers your costs in getting there.  In my case, the first hour is $160 each additional hour is $120.  I break it down in 15 minute increments.  You regional structure will likely be different.    <div> David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com </div> -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of KeyKat88@aol.com Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 3:36 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: So what is a proper tuning price raise?   <div> Greeting, </div> <div>   </div> <div>           So what is a good tuning price raise?...$ 5, $10?  What about a customer asking you to tighten the bench screws? I throw that in with the tuning because its a regular customer, or because its a new customer and I want repeat bunsiness. I think the little "goodwill" gestures add value to the service and make them want to have you back. </div> <div>   </div> <div> Julia </div> <div> Reading, PA </div> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. <a href="http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598" target="_blank" title="http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598">Watch the video on AOL Living.</a> </div> </div> </body> </html>