<!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 6.00.2900.2523" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>Hi Matt,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>I think it is best to always be up front when people ask. We quote the = standard tuning rate and say that if it has been awhile since the last tuning and = the pitch has fallen, it could be up to twice the normal rate, depending on = how low it is. Since I rarely break strings, I don't mention string breakage. = But if it happens, I  just explain that sometimes it happens when bringing = the tension up this much. I never have anyone upset over that. = </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>If there are broken notes the explanation is that most any broken note = problem can be fixed for $25-$50 each. But it may be less, even free, if for example = it is only a lodged paper clip. Then it is stated that there is no way of = giving an accurate quote without examining the piano.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>I used to not be careful to do the phone quote, only the evaluation and = quotation at the start of the tuning appointment. I found much more  = resistance to having the work done, and often people felt like I was gouging them. Now = when a piano needs a pr I don't even say anything, unless they ask. It was = already covered on the phone call. I just do it and charge accordingly.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>On the Damp-Chaser installation, I usually try to sell the job before the = tuning is done. If it is right after I've tuned, sometimes I will delay = installation for 2-3 months and explain it will need tuned again. If I don't think they = will do the second tuning, I will just do the install without the delay. I may = explain that the  piano will go out a little sooner. If that happens they = just need to have it retuned. I know the piano will eventually get straightened = out and if they call back to complain on the tuning (rare occurence) they accept = the explanation. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>The big frustration with these systems is when you go out to a regular = client (churches, usually) and find the system unplugged or dry and the piano = +/- 15 cents. Then what do you do? I usually eat the lost appointment, plug it = in/fill it up, and reschedule for two weeks. Sometimes I will change the pads = and charge $25 for a service call and pad change so it is not a total = loss. If it is not a regular customer (i.e., 2-3 years between appointments) I'll go = ahead and tune it, but not put it all the way on pitch.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>To combat this problem I started carrying the 6 outlet adaptors and cord = locks. If the outlet is crowded I don't even ask, usually, I just install the 6 = outlet adaptor. If it is not a crowded outlet, I just put on the cord = lock, a plastic strip the traps the cord against the outlet cover that makes it = hard to unplug the cord. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>Blessings,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=000493913-14012005><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>Dean</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT = face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Matthew Todd<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, January 13, 2005 6:11 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Pianotech<BR><B>Subject:</B> Pitch Raise and String Breakage<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV>Hi List,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When you're on the phone scheduling an appointment with a client, = and you ask the question "How long has it been since the piano was last = tuned", and they say "over 10 years", then you mention the pitch raise and the = extra cost involved, and that their piano may need it....do you also mention that = some strings might break over the phone, or do you wait till you're at = their home before you bring it up?</DIV><BR><BR>Matthew Todd<BR>Todd Piano Works<BR>Piano Tuner/Technician<BR>Tuning - Repairing - Regulating <P> <HR SIZE=1> Do you Yahoo!?<BR>Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced = search. <A = href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=29917/*http://info.mail.yahoo.com/ma= il_250">Learn more.</A></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>