Rules Question.

[William R. Monroe]

Allen,

Well said.  I would reinforce the idea of technicians taking a more
proactive approach in educating our customers as to what being an RPT or an
Associate Member means.  It can be a useful marketing tool if we learn to
embrace it as such.  That said, I'm signing off for a time.  This tech-line
is becoming more and more like a soap opera.  It is far too cluttered with
personal opinion and wrath than helpful exchanges of ideas.

William R. Monroe
Associate Member, PTG


----- Original Message -----
From: "Allan L. Gilreath, RPT" <agilreath@mindspring.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 10:48 AM
Subject: RE: Rules Question.


> 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
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
> >
>
>