<!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 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT size=2>My fee for 1.5 hours would not be cheating = myself.  The incident which precipitated this was a phone call, it went something = like this:  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Hello, how much do you charge for a = tuning?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well my basic fee is ___.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well the piano hasn't been tuned in 15 = years.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well then it could be more if I have to make a pitch = correction before fine tuning.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Oh, and also, there are several notes = sticking.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well it depends on what is causing them to stick, it = might be a minor thing and it might not.  I'll have to assess the problem at = the piano.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Oh, and also the tone is so harsh and bright, is = that included in your fee?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well, no.  That falls under the category of = tone regulation and it is difficult to make an assessment not having seen the = piano.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>You mean it might cost more?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well, yes.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>And the pedals are making a terrible racket.  = Is that included.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Well, it depends on the problem.  Why don't we = schedule to get the piano tuned and I'll be better able to advise you then.  = </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Oh I don't know, it all sounds a little vague to me.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Yes, to me too...</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Sound familiar?  Charging by the hour is easier = and fairer.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>David Love</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE 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=Wimblees@AOL.COM = href="mailto:Wimblees@AOL.COM">Wimblees@AOL.COM</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> March 15, 2002 5:27 = PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Fees</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT size=2>In a = message dated 3/15/02 11:04:14 PM !!!First Boot!!!, <A = href="mailto:davidlovepianos@earthlink.net">davidlovepianos@earthlink.n= et</A> writes: <BR><BR><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px = solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" TYPE="CITE">Going to this method required a slight increase in my = fee and I was a bit concerned about this at first.  But I am finding = little or no resistance when I explain that the fee buys a block of time. =  Overall, it has allowed me to reduce my appointment load on any given day to = a maximum of 4 (before it was 5).  There is less driving and less = stress involved in making it to the next appointment on time when I run = into something unexpected.  I can deliver better service and feel = more satisfied with my work.  Customers are ultimately more pleased = with the instruments (even if they don't know exactly why) which is good for = referral business.  I suggest you all consider it.  </FONT><FONT = lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"> = <BR><BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 size=2 = FAMILY="SANSSERIF">David Love</FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 size=3 = FAMILY="SANSSERIF"> <BR><XMP></XMP></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 = size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>David <BR><BR>As long as what = you charge for the 1.5 hour of time pays your business expenses, and provides you = with an income with which you can pay your home bills, then go for it. = Generally, piano tuners are charging about $70 -- $90. (depending on where you = live). Most tunings are done in about 60 - 75 minutes. (Again, depending on experience, etc..) If you have been charging, lets say $80, for = tuning, and it took you 60 minutes. then you should be charging $120 for your 1.5 = hour service call. If you can get it, great. If you're not charging that = much, you'll be cheating yourself. <BR><BR>Wim </FONT></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>