What we charge?

[Roy Ulrich]

A big NO. Sorry Tony, this is an American thing; it is just as illegal to
set _low_ prices as it is to set high prices, in this country. The point is
that it is illegal to set _any_ prices per agreement amounst competitors.

The issue started because some people are under the impression that it is
illegal to _discuss_ prices, which is not true. I suspect Austrailian may
will differ, but I hope you can see the point: discuss, fine. Set. no, no.
That's it.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Caught <caute@accessnt.com.au>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: January 27, 2000 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: What we charge?


>Price fixing.  Am not the only piano tuner in the Northern Territory, but
>almost.  So I haven't got a problem there. But, I hear that in Sydney NSW,
>Tuning prices are discussed openly at the Guild meetings and that minimum
>prices are set. Wether or not this is true I do not know, maybe Mark
Bolsius
>or Ron Overs can enlighten us on that point.
>
>However,  Unions are designed to protect the workers against low wages thus
>minimum hourly rates or weekly wages are enforced.  Guilds are designed in
>part to do the same for their members.  Possibly setting a minimum tuning
>rate for members is not price fixing if that price is say 5% below the
>national average.  Then an area charge is added to cover the local areas
>conditions.
>
>eg  $95 in local area.  $110 in outer area.  $125 if overnight accomodation
>is required.
>
>Just a thought
>
>Tony Caught IC PTG Australia
>caute@accessnt.com.au
>