Free estimates

[Tony Caught]

Hi Clyde,

Nobody really expects a free lunch. To inspect a piano takes as long as
tuning a piano but you never tune a piano for nothing.

My answer is to say to a customer before going that same thing. But, I don't
charge the full tuning price of $95, but have to cover my costs with a
minimum charge of $45.  This $45 is deducted from the quote price if you get
the job gone.

This has been acceptable to most customers. and if they don't accept that,
you are most likely wasting your time any way.

Tony Caught ICPTG Australia
caute@optusnet.com.au

----- Original Message -----
From: Clyde Hollinger <cedel@supernet.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, 2 June 2000 8:42
Subject: Free estimates


> Friends,
>
> I usually tell clients that businesses which offer free estimates are
usually
> those which sell big ticket items, such as builders, but that I can't
afford to
> give a free estimate on what might be a relatively inexpensive job.  Do
those of
> you who rebuild pianos give free estimates?  I would consider that a
bigger job,
> but I would guess clients frequently abandon the idea of rebuilding when
they find
> out what it will cost.
>
> Generally I suggest that unless they are planning to discard their piano,
we may
> as well schedule an appointment for a tuning, and while I'm there I'll
check it
> out to see what else it needs.  I can't recall ever charging for the
estimate in
> that case.
>
> Regards, Clyde
>
> P. S.  Of course there was the little lady last week who wrangled a free
call out
> of me to look at her Steinway grand afflicted with vertigris, but that was
an
> exception!
>