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<DIV></DIV>> Our own experience does indeed color our opinions and attitudes for
<DIV></DIV>>example...........severrrrral years ago I undertook the rewhatever of an S&S
<DIV></DIV>>with the *stated* price of *8,400* with 20% going to the primary tech. After
<DIV></DIV>>the job was done, and several months later, the customer called me to tune
<DIV></DIV>>the piano since the primary tech was out of town. While I was there she
<DIV></DIV>>mentioned how pleased she was with her piano and that she thought the price
<DIV></DIV>
<P>>of *14,200* was really well spent. </P>
<P> </P>
<P>OUCH!!!!</P>
<P>When Murray and I started out in business here in Santa Cruz county, we only did rebuilding and refinishing, contracting the work with other techs who tuned.</P>
<P>Our system was that when a customer of one of the techs we worked with wanted a rebuild job, the tech would inform the customer that we were the rebuilders she worked with. Then all three of us would have an appointment together with the customer. The result of that visit would be our contract. The tech got a percent and kept the customer as her own tuning customer, including getting paid, as part of the contract, for three in home tuning-service calls during the first year. </P>
<P>Our only problem during the years we worked that way was on an early job when we were appraising a S&S M. As we crawled around the piano taking our notes on problems, the tuner suddenly said, "Well, at least it doesn't need a pinblock." Of course it did, and now we had to convince both her <EM><STRONG>and</STRONG></EM> the customer. Later we refined our in-home roles!</P>
<P>It made things easy, the customer, the tuner, the rebuilder and the refinisher all knew the whole scoop; who was responsible for what part of the job, what all associated costs were and who earned how much.</P>
<P>On the first commission payment to one tech we worked with, she waved the check in the air and cheered, saying "THIS is my new car!" (not quite enough, but now she could see how she could finally get one!)</P>
<P>At this stage in my life I'm looking at things from the other perspective, now <EM><STRONG>I </STRONG></EM>want to contract out parts of the job. I personally <EM><STRONG>love</STRONG></EM> to string, enjoy working on actions and keys, but don't much enjoy the body work or refinishing.</P>
<P>Diane Hofstetter</P></div><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href='http://go.msn.com/bql/hmtag_itl_EN.asp'>http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></html>