This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Alan R. Barnard=20 To: pianotech@ptg.org=20 Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2002 12:26 PM Subject: Potential Customers I'd like the list to share ideas about this: Telephone call: "How much do you charge to tune a piano?" 1. If it is obvious from the conversation that a pitch raise or other = work will be needed, do you talk about charges beyond the standard = tuning? I will quote my price right off, and if I hear a long silence, = I'll then mention that often pianos that havn't been tuned in some times = need a pitch raise, mentioning that there is no extra charge for this = service. (My base price takes into account the occasional PR). I'll = also tell the customer I don't charge for mileage, and if I feel its = necessary, I'll tell them the first service includes a complete = evaluation of their piano at no additional charge. If any additional = work is needed, I indicate that I'll be able to tell them what a repair = will cost when I see what is needed to fix it, and that they will know = ahead of time the charge for any additional repairs. If by then they = havn't committed to an appointment based on my fee, I probably don't = want them as a customer anyway, as they are only shopping around for a = cheap price. I'd rather have a customer become a regular because of the = quality of my work and a friendly, informative manner than a low price. = Price shoppers often have little loyalty and will leave you as quickly = as they came for a lower figure. 2. If you have a reeeeally incompetent bozo 'tooner' in the area = (armed with a tuning hammer and electronic guitar tuner and literally = does not know the meaning of the terms temperament, tempered tuning, = inharmonicity, etc.) do you try in any way to steer the caller away from = that person? No, No, No. I never bad mouth another in the business. His/her = work will speak for itself whether good or bad. Its not professional to = talk in any but a positive way about a competitor, and if you can't be = truthfully positive, say nothing. 3. What "techniques" do you use to try and secure the business? A few simple rules apply here. Be courteous, friendly and = professional both on the phone and in person. Take the time to explain = to the customer (if they show interest) about their piano. Always be = truthful and keep your promises, no one likes surprises especially where = money is concerned. Good questions Alan, I'll bet you get a lot of responses to this = one...... Mike Kurta ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/52/a2/f2/b5/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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