<html> <body> Phil, <x-tab>        </x-tab>I don't think it's an issue of being fair to the tech community since they are not my paying customers here. I do this type of thing fairly regularly. If you wish to keep her as a steady customer you can't charge her when service isn't needed. There is a corollary in almost any other service industry.  Think of what your mechanic charges you and how you'd feel if he did so whether you needed anything or not. You've obviously thought this through and in my opinion your thoughts are right on target. <x-tab>        </x-tab>In general I usually ask first time customers how they intend to use their piano. If they respond that it's just for piano lessons and their budget doesn't seem to be "sky's the limit" then I may even stray from the 6 month tuning schedule and recommend something less like once a year or even every other if they seem to have a piano in a stable environment (A/C in summer and added humidity in winter) It's not unusual for me to visit customers whom I haven't seen in 3-5 years who's piano still sounds great! I end up doing exactly what you describe. A quick touch up and a general looking over followed by a token fee. Seems that those folk are some of the most active in giving me referrals too! Greg At 07:00 AM 10/7/2003, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Last Friday was a scheduled appt. with a very faithful every 6 months residential customer - Baldwin Acro(newer Console model) - DC installed.   When I arrived, this client = was as gracious as ever - said the piano really didn't sound bad at all to her.   ..she wasn't kidding.   I probably could have done m= ore harm than good if I tuned the whole thing! - it was spot-on with the exception of a few top-end unisons..I touched them up for her, and told her 'no charge' today.   She was more than willing to pay 'something' for my time, and I probably should..my gut feeling was not to charge her, so I didn't..I wasn't there more than 10 minutes, and 1/2 of that time was spent putting that darn lid back on(2 pins on the bass side as opposed to a 'piano' hinge in back..uugh).   I'm not looking for a pat on the back here..just curious if this is common practice amungst my peers..or do you truly feel I am not being fair to the tech. community.   curious this morning,   Phil Bondi(FL) phil@philbondi.com     --- Checked by AVG anti-virus system (<a href="http://www.grisoft.com/"= eudora="autourl">http://www.grisoft.com</a>). Version: 6.0.521 / Virus Database: 319 - Release Date: 9/23/2003</blockquote> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> Greg Newell Greg's piano Forté <a href="mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net"= eudora="autourl">mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net</a></body> </html>