FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My prices are based on a reasonable rate in this area. My knowledge & education is equivalent to that of any of the "trades". Plumber, Electrician, Hvac, etc. I just don't have a Union. I do however have the same business costs, business phone & internet (higher rates than standard) , liability insurance(covers any damage that may be caused by me in your home, which I have NEVER used), increased vehicle insurance due to business use of my vehicle, pay my own social security taxes being self employed, I have an investment in tools that is the equal of most workmen since piano tools are specialized and are not made in the quantity of other trades. Additionally I have a shop full of wood working machinery for the rebuilding of pianos. A bandsaw, planer, radial arm drill press, drill press, table saw and various home made jigs for Piano work. Specialty glues, parts, piano wire, etc.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I treat all of my customers as I would like to be treated. I ask my customers questions such as, history of the instrument, how much it is used, the proficiency of the player(s) what the budget is for the piano. All of my customers receive an estimate(verbal) of any necessary repairs or adjustments included with the tuning. I explain any problems found, what those problems can mean to the player, how urgent it is to repair them or not and how much it will cost. The decision is the customer's to make, I do not insist or pressure. After all it is their piano and their funds. My job is to give my expert opinion and do the work if requested. I have enough work and experience that I have no need to pressure anyone to do any work.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In my business, experience and working with another more experienced professional is the best way to become educated. Going out to tune, finding a problem & figuring out how to repair it. If you find a problem you couldn't solve, when I was starting out, you had to go to your professional & ask then return to fix it. That was because I started out in the early '70's cell phones weren't around yet. These days I'm the pro getting calls on my cell asking how to make a repair. My class was an extension course from the University of Minnesota, we rebuilt a Steinway grand in the class, in addition to learning how to tune a piano and perform many of the common repairs. After school I observed & learned from a top level Piano Technician Guild technician & rebuilder. PTG has been invaluable as a source of knowledge and experience as well as a resource. I never fail to learn SOMETHING at every meeting I attend. We also have a "tech list" online for PTG members that allows us to discuss problems, ask questions and get answers between meetings.