Do you pay tips for piano tuners?

Q: Do I need to pay tip for piano tuner?

Here are Smiths guidelines: Dont tip skilled craftsmen or technical specialists, such as plumbers, electricians, painters, alarm service technicians, handymen, piano tuners, or appliance repair people. Thats like trying to tip a doctor or a teacher,” Smith says.

Q: How much do you tip piano tuning?

If you are comfortable with the technicians work, a $5 or $10 tip is appreciated.

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Do I need to pay tip for piano tuner?
How much do you tip piano tuning?
How much should it cost to tune a piano?
How much does it cost to tune and clean a piano?

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My new piano is scheduled for its first tuning (included in the price of the piano) tomorrow. Along with the tuning, I've asked the tech to check the tone on one key in particular (which sounds a bit "thin" to me) and also look at the "let-off" (I believe that's the correct terminology) as I sometimes cannot get a key to repeat as quickly/nimbly as I would like.

Since I'm not paying for the work (as it's included with the purchase price of the piano), is it customary to tip the tuner? If so, what would be the suggested amount?

Thanks!

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No, it is not the custom to tip the piano tuner. I have gotten a few when I took an emergency appointment and had to reschedule existing customers. Some customers fix me lunch if I am there at lunchtime.

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No - not customary.

In a situation where you are asking for work beyond what the store is willing to pay you could negotiate a fee for the additional work. Then its not really a "tip" - you are just paying for extra work beyond the warranty tuning.

There are certainly grey areas between what is a warranty issue an what is "custom work". I would consider voicing custom work, because you purchased the piano with the tone "as is". Its the same with refined regulation. All those types of things should be negotiated before the sale.

When a local college bought a brand new Steinway D several years ago, we negotiated abut 20 hours worth of prep work since there was a lot of improving to do to get it concert ready. So even very expensive pianos are not often at their optimum when they are sitting on the showroom floor.

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Greetings,
Years ago, (many years), I asked a much older tuner if people ever tipped him, and he said, "If they tip you, you are not charging enough".

After 40 years, there are two people in my clientele who pay more than I charge. The rest have the attitude that though I am expensive, they are willing to pay for the work. I doubt that tipping ever crossed their mind! I will never know, but Ithink I have come out better in the long run.
Regards,

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If you are comfortable with the technician's work, a $5 or $10 tip is appreciated. The Store tech works at a discounted rate in hopes of building or maintaining his business. Unless the extra work is substantial, he likely won't charge the store extra for it.

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Ordinarily it is not necessary to tip, but you might for a store tuning. I always accept tips, because it is impolite to argue about with them. Sometimes there is extra on the check, which I do not notice until I get home. I declare that on my taxes.

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I tip my tuner. He helps me out with my DIY efforts, he used his pro status to order a couple of Dampp Chaser kits, (shh...don't tell anybody!) he gave me a good deal on a used tuning hammer. So I typically round his check up to the nearest $20.00 increment.

Happy to do it.

Dpm

Don, playing the blues in Austin, Texas on a 48" family heirloom Steinway upright, 100 year old 54" Weber upright, unknown make turn of the century 54" upright -- says "Whittier NY" on the plate, Starr, ca. 100 years old full size upright.

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There are no rules, some people give a tip, some do not. A few months ago I was paid 67% more than my tuning fee at the time and my client told me "never accept less, you make a great job". So I increased my fee by 30%. In my following tuning I was asked why I was so expensive, nevertheless I charged my full new tuning fee. But I always give clients a plus for their money. It may be some little voicing or easing some sticking keys, or some lost motion regulation and if everything is allright some cleaning of the piano. They seem to really appreciate this kind of bonuses.

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So, what did you end up doing?

Well -- Since a) the tuning cost was included in the purchase price of the piano, and b) I had already given him a nice remuneration for getting me a substantial discount on the purchase of the piano, I didn't tip him this time.

FWIW, he didn't seem to be expecting one either.

P.S.: It turned out that no extra work was necessary, other than tuning. Regarding the "Let-off", that was left as-is. (I just needed to adjust to the action a bit more - and it really is fine for me now). And the tuning itself seemed to take care of the one "thin-sounding" note.

Last edited by newbert; 09/12/16 10:08 PM.

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Do I need to pay tip for piano tuner?

Here are Smith's guidelines: Don't tip skilled craftsmen or technical specialists, such as plumbers, electricians, painters, alarm service technicians, handymen, piano tuners, or appliance repair people. “That's like trying to tip a doctor or a teacher,” Smith says.

How much do you tip piano tuning?

If you are comfortable with the technician's work, a $5 or $10 tip is appreciated.

How much should it cost to tune a piano?

Typically, most piano tuners charge by the hour, but $100 to $200 every 6-12 months is much cheaper than having the piano restrung. This process can sometimes cost nearly as much as a piano itself. Regular tuning will also ensure that the instrument sounds its best and that people can successfully play it.

How much does it cost to tune and clean a piano?

On average, a thorough piano cleaning can run anywhere from $75 to $250+, but costs can vary based on how dirty the piano is, what size of piano, your geographic location, and how many piano technicians are in your area. Most pianos that sit inside a home, collect dust every day.