<html> At 08:40 PM 09/04/2001 -0400, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite cite>Terry, I am under the impression that there are a few piano technicians who really do think it is okay to add a penalty charge because the piano was more neglected than they thought it should be.  My guess is they obscure that charge somehow on the invoice.  I can't see it;  I just can't see how this can be fair at all. And I suspect that if *they* were ever penalized by the painter, or plumber, or barber, they would look at things altogether differently.  I don't know if you are wierd or not, but I agree with you on this. Regards, Clyde</blockquote> I would do a quick pitch raise and a rough tuning in an hour and not fret over precision. I didn't charge over my normal fee and most times less to impress upon them the fact that the piano was neglected. I would then advised that more frequent servicing will bring the piano into better condition. If they didn't follow-up and let the piano drift back, then they would have anyway and I would have gone to extra trouble for nothing. I'm much happier doing all shop work now... Jon Page,   piano technician Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. <a href="mailto:jon.page@verizon.net" eudora="autourl">mailto:jon.page@</a>verizon<a href="mailto:jon.page@verizon.net" eudora="autourl">.net</a> <a href="http://www.stanwoodpiano.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.stanwoodpiano.com</a> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</html>