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<DIV>
<DIV>List,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I use Andrew's method of maintenance as well. IT's easier to sell=
bits and pieces of maintenance than to sell a 500 dollar job to a first time=
client. But after awhile, when they see that you are making huge
improvements in their pianos, they trust what you say and are more likely to=
have the suggested service done.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>On the other side of the tracks, there are people who can barely afford=
pianos, but whose kids REALLY want to play (these are the people that t=
end
to give the best tips...). I will usually give discounts, and do free pitch
raises or other maintenance at a service call. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>It's hard to lump all clients into one basket. Some have more mon=
ey
than God, but buy a weasly little piano disc-laden pocket grand that they ne=
ver
want to have tuned. Trying to talk some these people out of money--eve=
n
for just a tuning--is like trying to talk a lion out of that dead zebra=
he's chowing down at the waterhole.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Dale, Dave, Barbara and others who have been in business for years have=
built long-term trust with their clients. Those of us who are newer to=
the
business need patience to develop these types of relationships.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Dave Stahl</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 11/13/2005 3:24:10 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
anrebe@sbcglobal.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><=
FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size=
=2>I've
taken a different approach to this. I charge a flat fee for a <BR>pe=
riod
of time with the piano. I am the most expensive technician <BR>servi=
cing
my area. During that time period I do as much as I can for <BR>the
piano. With a piano I am seeing for the first time, I may end up
<BR>only pitch-correcting. The second time around I may do a little
<BR>hammer shaping and voicing where it is most desperately needed. =
The
<BR>third time around... etc. On my service record I record everythi=
ng
<BR>that I've done and everything the piano needs that I notice. Whe=
n I
<BR>call the second time they sometimes want more of it done and we
<BR>schedule a longer appointment. Basically the piano just keeps
<BR>getting better the longer I service it. I encourage clients to
<BR>consider a separate appointment to get a totally un-prepped piano in
<BR>good regulation etc. Some will, some wait. Don't try to be=
<BR>cheap. Make sure you charge as much for your time doing everythi=
ng
<BR>else a piano needs as you charge for tuning. It is no fun just
<BR>tuning or horrible piano that is begging to be better.<BR> I wor=
ked
on a Wurly the other day that I thought should be headed <BR>to the
landfill. I was surprised with what I got out of it. Next <BR>=
time
it will be even better.<BR>If you give your clients the choice of doing le=
ss
or nothing, most <BR>will. Set maintenance intervals, closer togethe=
r
where needed. I <BR>call it maintenance and say that tuning is just =
one
fraction of what <BR>makes a piano great.<BR><BR>My take on it.<BR>Andrew
Anderson<BR></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
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