Rate and Charges

[MR GARRET E TRAYLOR]

-- [ From: Garret E. Traylor * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --

Snip.…
I’m curious to know what sort of rates are being charged dealers for
service outside the normal service area. I’ll be traveling 3 hours one
way, and doing about 2 hrs. of service, then the return trip. So
basically
all day, no breaks, and no guarantees. Any suggestions??

Larry;

For me “commensurate remuneration” is a very sensitive subject to say
the least. I have worked with three large dealers here in Maryland and
Virginia. Overall I charge by the hour and I KEEP THE CUSTOMERS.
My policy is to present the dealer or manager of each store with a hand
out or list of rates. All work must be approved and signed for. I
recommend the use of three or four part carbon less forms.
I have two Dealer rates:  In Store Fees and Store/Home Service Fees.
When working with areas outside of my zone I will encourage other
technicians to be involved. It is very important to support our
colleagues. Especially new technicians. What goes around comes around.

Here are my rates:

Dealer Rates

	IN STORE FEES:
	*** Floor tuning is $15.00 per piano includes pedals adjustments not
repairs or regulation. (I think that this should be at least $20.00) A
good floor tuning should take about 25 to 40 minutes.
	*** All other work $30.00 per hour. This includes touchup, Piano Disk,
Prep work. Billed at 15 minute intervals.
	*** Concert work special arrangements are made.

            STORE-HOME SERVICE FEES:
	*** Tuning $35.00 per tuning. 1.5 hrs. maximum time limit. All repairs
are extra.
	*** Repairs $40.00 per hour. Billed at 15 minute intervals.

Generally speaking when I work for the dealer I plan to make at least
$150.00 to $200.00 a day. Sometimes more sometimes less. With in store
service I like to get into each store one day a week or at a minimum
once every two weeks. I have a key to most stores so I can work when it
is quiet. MOST IMPORTANT AND AN EXTRA BONUS TIP HERE IS TO HAVE THE
DEALER TAKE OUT INCOME TAX FOR YOU ON ALL THE WORK YOU DO FOR HIM. YOU
WILL DEFINITELY COME OUT ON TOP!!!

When I travel more than an hour each way I charge $20.00 per hour; plus
the ($35.00) tuning fee. 6 hours travel + $35.00  tuning fee = $155.00
dollars. I will try to schedule another client on the way in or out.
I do not believe this is enough money for our services but for now that
is all our market will tolerate.

Try this! Pick up the phone and call the plumbers, electricians or top
notch car mechanics in you area. What do they charge? Remember dealers
need a professional who they can depend on and done correctly the first
time. If the customer has a problem it will be handled professionally.
Try to charge accordingly if you can.

Hope this helps.
Sincerely;

Garret Traylor
Equal Temperament Piano Service

“Stick with the winners and Don’t be a wiener.”
-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------

> Date: Sunday, 30-Jun-96 11:28 AM
>
> From: Larry Fisher             \ Internet:    (larryf@pacifier.com)
> To:   Garret E. Traylor        \ PRODIGY:     (TYLT35A)
>
> Subject: Rate and Charges
>
> I'm curious to know what sort of rates are being charged dealers for
> service outside the normal service area.  I'll be traveling 3 hours
one
> way, and doing about 2 hrs of service, then the return trip.  So
basically
> all day, no breaks, and no guarantees.  Any suggestions??
>
> I was thinking of charging two standard tuning fees to get there
>
>         A. because it's out of my active service territory and I had
> nothing to do with the sale
>         B. because it takes about an hour and a half to do one tuning
> including travel time.
>
> then I was thinking of charging the dealer the usual discount rate I
> charge all dealers, and because most dealer calls take about an hour,
not
> including driving time, I would charge this amount twice for two
hours.
>
> Then the same two basic tuning fees to get back home.
>
> How's my logic line up with the rest of you out there in the real
world??
>
> Thanks fellas.
>
> Lar
>                            Larry Fisher RPT, Metro Portland, Oregon's
>                   Factory Preferred Installer for MSR/PianoDisc
Products
>                        phone 360-256-2999 or email
larryf@pacifier.com
>                   http://pacifier.com/~larryf/homepage.html (revised
5/96)
>                          Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water
>
>
>

-------- REPLY, End of original message --------