Hi Jim, Umm, I'm a very low-tech tech. :-) Someday I'll get computerized. In the meantime, I do carry my calendar, and for those appointments that are scheduled so far in advance that my calendar runs out, I write the day and time in the notes section of the book. My approach is much like the dentist--"Well, your next service is due........" The folks get out their calendar and we BOTH write down the appointment. Or, if they are not home, I just go ahead and set up as appointment, using the same criteria that was used to set up the current one. I've included a picture of an old invoice and reminder card. Note the "next appointment" slot on the invoice. I usually send the cards out 10 days in advance. These are the customers who are really interested in their pianos, so they will call if they have to make a change. You can make a quick reminder call the day or night before if you wish. Generally, I know the people who need a call, but most don't. This is a really great system for me, because I HATE making phone calls. In fact, when I first started in business and would have to call people to set up appointments, I felt like I needed a glass (or two) of wine to get the courage up----or is that to relax? The real beauty of the system (besides financial security) is you have the chance to do great work--fine tunings, finer regulation. This is the chance to learn to do "nit-picky" work. One time when I was teaching a class about this, a fellow asked me what to do when you walk in and the tuning is good the regulation is good. "Raise your standards!" Of course, when there really isn't anymore to do, schedule for a year, instead of six months. ;-) Good luck! Barbara Richmond, RPT Graphic at: http://tinyurl.com/27ybs Direct ptg.org URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/3b/25/71/67/bidness.JPG ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Kinnear" <jim@pianoguy.com> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 7:43 PM Subject: Re: Is my memory going? > Hi Barbara > Sounds like good advice . . do you carry a day planner for a year hence .. > What kind of system do you use . . ? > Jim kinnear > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Barbara Richmond" <piano57@flash.net> > To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> > Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 4:56 PM > Subject: Re: Is my memory going? > > > > Hi list, > > > > I offer my customers the convenience of making the next appointment right > > there and then for whatever time span that seems appropriate. If folks > > don't want to book ahead, I don't worry about them. Before my leave, I > > built a great business of people who wanted their pianos to be in the best > > shape possible. I'd fill in open spots with the folks who were *now and > > thens.* > > > > Now after moving away and coming back to the area (not the same town) 8 > 1/2 > > years later, I am getting calls from my old customers --unfortunately, no > > other tuner was willing to do what I did and so all those pianos need a > lot > > of work now! > > > > Anyway, booking ahead doesn't necessarily mean the appointment is written > in > > stone, but it's amazing how well they usually work out. When I first got > > into business, LaRoy Edwards spoke to me about this method. It was some > of > > the best business building advice I could have gotten. > > > > > > Barbara Richmond, RPT > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "John Ross" <jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca> > > To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> > > Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 6:49 AM > > Subject: Is my memory going? > > > > > > > Hi List, > > > > > > I went to an appointment the other day. When I went in the house, the > > > customer said, "you were the last one to tune it." > > > > > > I said, I am sorry I don't remember. She said don't feel bad, it was 19 > > > years ago. Ok, definitely too long. But.. > > > > > > This was a little old lady, who only used it to play for herself. > > > Sure, it should have been tuned sooner. Actually only two unisons were > > > really bad, and she said she still played it, and enjoyed it. It was > down, > > > 10c - 35c. > > > > > > I got thinking, (I know something new), this is a situation, where > calling > > > and recommending, a tuning every year or more, was not required. > > > > > > I would feel bad, calling this woman regularly, and saying time to have > > your > > > piano tuned, and taking her money. > > > > > > That is why I never call. I always let them call me. > > > > > > If I was to call everyone, the year wouldn't be long enough to do them > > all. > > > > > > I feel in some cases, calling people and doing there piano, on a > frequent > > > basis, is unethical. Now I am talking of the little old lady, on a fixed > > > income, that only plays for her own enjoyment. Not a situation, where a > > > child is taking lessons, or a serious player. > > > > > > After a piano is stabilized, I see nothing wrong, with every 3 or 4 > years, > > > for a tuning. > > > > > > Any comments? > > > > > > Regards > > > John M. Ross > > > Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada > > > jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca > > >
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