Rules Question.

[David Ilvedson]

Allen,  

A well-written post of which I agree totally.  I think "professionalism" is
the key word!  The lack of it is occasionally evident in posts to the List.
 What some of the newbies (to the trade or PTG) don't know is all the
turmoil PTG went through just getting a logo.  Does anyone think we could
ever find a logo that everyone liked?  We have left that issue far
behind...

The guy that wears the suit to outside appointments must have a dry cleaner
for a relative...;-]

David I.

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 4/29/01 at 11:48 AM Allan L. Gilreath, RPT wrote:

>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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