<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1458" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I think a store should pay you full = rate ,unless they send tuning referrals your way. Then the exchange is discounted = tuning charge for giving you business. When I get a request from a store = outside my area or that uses another tech, I tell them what I charge.  = </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm with you on being independant in = what store or piano you turn people on to. No conflict of interest etc. And when = people find out you're honest , it does everyone a world of good.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Phil Frankenberg<BR>CSU Chico, = Ca.</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=terry@farrellpiano.com = href="mailto:terry@farrellpiano.com">Terry</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, January 06, = 2005 11:08 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> New Piano = Referral</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Looking for an opinion or = two. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Recently I got calls from two people looking = to buy a good vertical piano for their children that are taking piano = lessons. One I did not know, and the other I had tuned their old piano several = times. I gave them both an earful about used pianos. Both indicated some = interest in considering a new vertical piano, but definately wanted to stay below = $5K. Anyway, the bottom line was that one of the recommendations I gave = them was to check out a particular store in the area and look at a couple of = particular new pianos there. They did and both bought new studio pianos from that = dealer. I have no relationship whatsoever with the dealer (I did a few floor = tunings for him years ago) - just think he is an honest guy and I like = the products he sells. I did not recommend any of the other several = dealers in the area.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>I don't think it is unreasonable to conclude = that I referred the customers to the dealer.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>The dealer called me and told me that these = two people requested that I provide them their one free tuning that comes with = the new piano. I asked what he pays for that type of tuning. He gave me a = price that is 50/85 of my normal tuning fee. I suppose there is every possibility the pianos may also need a pitch raise, which in that = case, the fee quoted might be 50/125 of my normal pitch-raise-and-tuning fee.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>I've done these types of tunings before for = stores and that type of low pay. I have to admit that I'm pretty much over that = phase of my tuning career. But as a matter of principle, my gut tells me that = the dealer should gladly pay me my standard tuning fee. I'm not = asking for any type of commission related to the sale of the pianos. In fact, = I don't want a comission - I enjoy the very independant nature of my business. = It's just a matter of priciple to me - I should think he would pay my = normal bill with a smile on his face.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>It is possible that he is not aware that I = referred the customers to him (although, I would think so).</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Anyone have any experience/opinion on such a matter?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Terry = Farrell</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>