Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum How Much Do You Charge for Super Gluing about 15 Pins?

During a tuning? I charge $10 if I have to do more than a few.

Problem was, my customer didn't like the fact that I was tacking on
another fee on top of my regular tuning fee.

So how did he respond? By giving me the $10, but not tipping me
like he did last time (IIRC, it was about a $10 tip), which was a few years ago.

Now granted, there's no guarantee that he would have tipped me this
time, so I would have done it again, to ensure I got the $10, but
it kinda left a weird vibe in the air afterwards.

So, was I getting a bit greedy? Should I have just glued the pins for free?

I don't think there is a universal answer. You are a unique person; your customer is a unique person. The chemistry between you is unique.

That being said, if you would charge your other customers the extra 10 dollars, I think you pretty much had to charge him as well, out of fairness. Also, if he compared notes with other customers, you want to appear even handed.

I usually included small extra jobs in my fee. But, when I started including small extras in my tunings, I raised my prices.

.

Print out a leaflet stating terms and conditions, include the price for gluing pins. Once it's printed in black and white it should dispel any notion of taking anyone for a ride.
Wish I could get people to work for me gratis.

Time (hourly rate, rounded to 15 minute intervals) plus materials (with a reasonable markup for materials).

Yeah, I think it's high time I raised my tuning price anyways. Then I can glue several pins during a job, and
not have to raise the price for the day. I don't want people to think I'm taking them for a ride.

And honestly, I really hate it as a customer, when a service person jacks up the quoted price over the
phone.

So......Judge Not, Lest Ye be Judged.

The real questions are, "Whats your hourly rate?" And "How long did it take?"

I never...ever give a firm quote over the phone. I always leave room for the unexpected. Especially for those who let years go by without service. I use expressions such as:

Regularly serviced (min 1/yr...for whom I do some free stuff)
Slightly neglected
Mildly neglected
Seriously neglected
Etc.

I want them to understand that it's not MY fault that their piano has some problems, it's THEIR fault because THEY decided to neglect taking care of things. They must take responsibility for their actions and if that means it takes more time, or specialised materials/supplies and the know-how to apply them to alleviate their problems...well, that costs money.

If I decide to go to the dentist only once every 5 years, who's to blame if cavities or gum disease develop in between? The dentist? I don't think so. You get the idea.

Piano technicians in general NOTORIOUSLY under price their services. And guess what? Clients get used to that. We are often our own worst enemy when it comes to charging appropriate fees. Then of course you always have your cheapo price shoppers...can't eliminate them entirely, but you can learn to identify them and take evasive action. When they ask "how much do you charge?" EARLY in the conversation, I know they're a price shopper and they are likely trouble. I refer them to someone else who I know is cheaper (and I use that expression). Believe me, the loss of income is worth the avoidance of a headache later.

If you are a cheap tuner, you will become known as "a cheap tuner" and will be recommended as such. I have found it far more beneficial to be labeled "the expensive tuner" in the long run. Of course your work needs to be commensurate with your charges, and you must be a reasonably likeable person, but you automatically weed out difficult people and attract good and appreciative people this way.

That's my soapbox for today.

Pwg

Preach on Peter! I also try to be the most expensive tuner in town. Had someone the other day who had called other tuners and asked if I'd be able to beat the price of another person. I declined. I try to stay away from price shoppers.

I totally agree.