Rules Question.

[Allan L. Gilreath, RPT]

Terry and the list,

With all due respect, the logo and advertising materials are all simply
tools that we have available for our use.  I believe that it boils down to a
matter of "it's not what you have but what you do with it."  As many in the
group have stated, the general public does not know what an RPT is or what
it means to be one.  However, it's up to us as business people to educate
them and then it spreads to the point where it can actually mean something.

I use the logo on my business cards, letterhead, forms, etc. in addition to
my company logo.  This adds an air of professionalism to the proceedings
that many of my customers seem to appreciate.

Each member of our organization has a different approach to how he or she
prefers to do business.  One of my closest friends in PTG likes the job
because it allows him to wear jeans every day while working.  I prefer to
wear a tie for all field calls as a part of the uniform.  Another
member/friend wears a suit every time he works on a piano outside of his
shop.  Each approach has its merits and certainly works within the
framework.  I suppose that a more formal approach helped out with setting my
customers more at ease since I started in this business at such a young age.
(I had to develop the gray hair working on pianos instead of working on them
to get away from it.)

Since our firm has been in business for so long  We find that an uncluttered
business card with the contact info, titles, name, corporate logo and
association logo proves far more effective than trying to spell out the
services that we offer.  As I said before, a different approach but it works
for us.

Hope this adds a little fuel for thought,

Allan
Allan L. Gilreath, RPT
Vice President - Gilreath Piano & Organ Co.
223 W Belmont Dr SW
Calhoun, GA 30701
706 629-3063
agilreath@mindspring.com

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
Of Farrell
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 10:41 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: Rules Question.


I agree completely with everything Brian has stated below. In the three
years I have been servicing pianos now, I have still NEVER been asked even
once whether I am a member of PTG and/or whether I am an RPT.

I do not use the logo on my business card, nor in any of my advertising. And
not for any philosophical reason, but rather (IMHO) I tend to be of the
opinion that the logo makes a business card look sorta like an FBI business
card: "Hi, I'm inspector Farrell - how many of your keys are not working
properly?" My preference is for a friendlier looking business card. Yellow
Pages advertising is so expensive, I would rather put a few uncrowded words
in regarding the services I offer rather than the logo.

Just the 2 cents from me.

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Trout" <trouts_place@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2001 10:51 PM
Subject: Re: Rules Question.


> I'd be curious just how many members of the PTG DON'T use the name or the
> logo in their advertisements.??
>
> Can I be honest?  I mean really honest?  I don't find the logo to be
> attractive.  I've found very little interest among customers about whether
> or not I'm an RPT or even an associate.  I can remember about a half dozen
> people in about that many years that had even a passing interest.
>
> I have also wondered at times if there are some techs who have looked at
the
> "requirements" for using the logo, print sizes, etc., and have just simply
> said "thanks, but no thanks" to using the guild name at all.
>
> I don't mean to imply that the guild isn't important or that improving
ones
> knowledge and skill isn't a worthy aspiration of all of us.  The PTG is
> certainly valuable and worthwhile.
>
> But outside of a very small minority, as far as the general public is
> concerned, the attitude I normally see is, "Who cares about your
> credentials.  Can you fix my piano?"
>
> Just my two cents.  No offense intended...
>
> Brian Trout
> Slidell, LA
> trouts_place@hotmail.com
>
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