<HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html;= charset=us-ascii"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2523" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P>I always bring up the "disclaimer" when raising pitch at the= beginning of an appointment.   </P> <P>David I.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR></P> <DIV style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px;= PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 3px solid;= PADDING-TOP: 5px"> <HR> Original message<BR>From: Dean May= <DEANMAY@PIANOREBUILDERS.COM><BR>To: Pianotech= <PIANOTECH@PTG.ORG><BR>Received: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 09:01:59= -0500<BR>Subject: RE: Pitch Raise and String Breakage<BR><BR> <DIV align=left><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.c= om/mail_250">Learn more.</A></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BODY></HTML>