<HTML>In a message dated 5/14/01 7:01:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time, jfinnigan@optusnet.com.au writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I like many of you no doubt do regular tunings and service for a number of schools, colleges etc..  All of this work is done on a verbal basis, i.e.: these are my charges they ring me I do the work.  What I would like to do is offer these institutions a more professional approach to the care and maintenance of their instruments by means of an annually reviewable and renewable contract.  It seems to me to be a sensible approach for both myself and the institutions involved however before I compose a contract I thought I would ask for those of you who have had experience with similar written contracts to offer some advise.  Firstly is the concept a sound one or am I better off leaving things the way they are?  If you have found written contracts to be beneficial how have you gone about setting them out, would you offer the institution flexibility starting with say bi-annual through to annual tunings with a major regulation and service annually/bi-annually ect.? Any comments, advise, examples are welcome.  Thanks! Jarred Finnigan </XMP> </BLOCKQUOTE> I have one major private university I tune for and most of the price has been verbel. But we have worked together for so many years and we really do not need a written contract. If I have multiple pianos to tune, I give a multiple piano discount. If my retail rate goes up (in home tunings for example), then I notify and ask if I can raise the multiple piano discount accordingly. The problem with contracts is how you can enforce it. Should they not honor their end of the bargain, do you want take them to court? I do not have time for court cases, and much rather work with those who keep the appointments and keep me busy. Food for thought. Dave Peake, RPT Portland Chapter Oregon City, OR www.davespianoworks.com </HTML>