<html> <head> <style> .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma } </style> </head> <body class='hmmessage'> Bruce, yes, I see the advantages, too. And I have delivered quite a few pianos even up into the fifth floor, so I know the techniques. But I decided not to deliver anymore. This is my financial relation: I charge 80.- Euro for a tuning and my mover charges me 100.- Euro for a transport plus 25.- Euro per floor. He moves only pianos, noting else, so he is an expert. He even offers a disassembly and reassembly service which I draw on instead of doing it by myself (for practical reasons, e.g. a transport 50 Km away). Transporting by myself costs money too and much time and organizing. So I voted for outsourcing. But that´s a decision every tech has to make for himself. As mentioned, I don´t want to ruin my back as I plan to do this profession for the next 25 years or so. Gregor > Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:02:30 +0800 > Subject: RE: the economy/starting out > From: justpianos@our.net.au > To: pianotech@ptg.org > > Gregor _ > > > > I would hire a professional mover for transporting pianos. Don´t ruin your > > back. We are overqualified for that. Of course that raises the prices for > > our pianos or repairs, but it´s worth the money. > > I respectfully disagree. Just my 2 (aussie) cents worth, which is now > worth 40% less due to ecomonic downturn. > If you are fit and well there is no reason not to transport pianos > yourself, I've done it since day 1 of starting my piano training, and it > is all in the technique. My mentor did it into his seventies. > > Advantages- 1. You can take the piano immediately on approval of repair > quote, saving returning for second trip/appointment. > 2. Transport payment comes to you, not a second party.(Big bonus). > 3. Transport on repair quote can be reduced considerably, as there is no > extra travel involved. > 4. By delivering the completed repair job, you are there for set-up, > checking and tuning, thus saving an additional appointment time. > 5. You should probably already have insurance which will cover this. > 6. Professional transport may not be available. > > Disadvantages- 1. Can't manage awkward areas, second storey delivery or > many stairs. > 2. Additional equipment required, albiet a small amount. > 3. Grands are a little more difficult than Uprights, but again technique > is everything. > > I'm sure these techniques would have been discussed previously, but maybe > it's time for an update, including improved equipment. > Bruce Browning > The Piano Tuner. > > > <hr />Get news, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. <a href='http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx ' target='_new'>Check it out!</a></body> </html>