In a message dated 3/16/99 9:45:35 AM Eastern Standard Time, Wimblees@AOL.COM writes: > Several of you on this list run retail operations and are also > technicians. I am very interested in what advice you might give for > someone > considering starting up such a business. > I have been following this thread with interest - I am sales manager for Cunningham Piano Co of Philadelphia, Pa. and although we carry 9 lines of new instruments, we have built an international reputation for rebuilding modern and pre - modern pianos. We currently have a staff of 20 in a 16,000 sq. ft. rebuilding facility (in addition to our retail space). It is easy for us to be sure that every new piano that we sell, from Bosies to Young Changs, gets properly regulated and tuned before delivery. Although, frankly, we still get the occasional surprise from our field techs. I think the secret to our success is that, in addition to retail awareness advertising, we actually try to give the best value to each and every customer. I know that sounds hokey, but as others have said, the techs and teachers will begin to sense this from indirect and direct contact. We get a good amount of unsolicited calls from those in the industry just asking about us. Of course, we invite them in to tour our facilities and let them know about organized events that we sponsor. BTW, if any of you in the greater Philly area don't know us, PLEASE call me. We want all in this industry to know that if their customer has a problem and the piano came from Cunningham, there isn't a problem. OK, Im getting off my soap box now. Hope this was a useful contribution. Richard Galassini Cunningham Piano Co. 1 800 394 1117
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