This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Hi Brett, I tune regularly in a big auditorium. I always charge my full fee for = both the initial tuning and touch-up (even if I hardly have to do = anything--I'm there). If I have to take care of a problem that I don't = consider normal concert prep, I bill that separately. I also find out = what time I need to be back for the touch-up. I'm not always interested = in doing other work in-between, because the piano is troublesome and = takes a lot of energy--so I just charge more for the work I do there. = :-) I have no idea what the auditorium charges for my work, but they = always pay me. My situation may be unique(?) because I was hired to = turn around a bad piano situation.=20 =20 As far as tuning conditions go--well, I'm glad I have an Accutuner, = because sometimes the stage is so noisy I rely <heavily> on it. I have = relaxed a lot since I started working there. Though I have done my best = to educate the tech staff about what will help me give good results (and = will continue to remind them), I just go in and do the best I can. When = conditions are really bad, I <politely> inform them my take on the = situation, either on the spot or with a follow up memo. The memo goes = to the stage manager, the technical director and the auditorium manager. = I work hard at communicating with them, though occasionally I feel like = I'm yelling into a great abyss... Hope this is helpful. Barbara Richmond, RPT ----- Original Message -----=20 From: BRETT GLASS=20 To: pianotech@ptg.org=20 Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2005 2:50 AM Subject: reselling the piano service Hello Everyone , I recently ran into a situation where I was asked if = I could lower my price so that it could be marked up . I was tuning for = a concert and the venue manager had been using another tuner for a long = time that has left the area . They had a price set up that had been in = place a long time (years) . And had not been increased . In fact the = price for in home tunings in this area was higher . And had been for = over four years . Price is not my question . After I explained how others were marking up my work , and what I was = charging them he seemed ok with it . I live in an area where I do alot = of concert work . In fact this promoter has me set up to tune two more = times before the first of the year . But we got into a discussion about = follow ups after the rehearsal . Most of the time there is not much work = needed except when you run into that picky pianist . Or the venue is = outside . Includes more than one piano , temperature change etc. . But = time is money . Why should I set around . Sometimes I have to wait hours = before I can do the follow up . Some want it right before doors open . = Anyway what is the most accepted practice . Charge say 1/2 of the = original fee 1/3 or charge by the hour ? For the easy follow up I've = gone with 1/2 . To some that might seem like a lot but I'm actually = losing money . Had I been able to schedule two in home tunings . I'd = have come out ahead . This time of year it would be no problem . I have = no openings until after Christmas . When these concerts come up they = tend to cost me money . Taking up an afternoon because I don't know how = or when I can set other appointments . I'd like to just tell them what I = charge per hour . I don't know how many times I've got to the location = only to find the piano is not ready . Or the stage crew is working . Or = I'm half way done and they want to move the Piano . Also what do most of you do for professional accounts . Do you = discount ? I don't . The only time I mark down my work is when I feel = like it. Say a church piano needs more work than they can afford. Or the = occasional family that might go without a piano if the cost for repairs = is more than they can afford . I only discount the tuning service for = floor tunings at dealers . I know that I'm going to get customers in = return for that work . Do any of you have any experience with your work = being marked up and resold say by a Resort or concert hall ect.? I do = charge more for a concert tuning but not very much more . Only about 10% = more . So If they turn around and mark that up what would be a normal = markup . Say 25 % ? I know that this is not really my problem . I'm = just curious what others may have seen or heard being done .One of the = Piano rental companys that I tune for marks up my tunings 25 % . I just don't feel I should make less so they can make more . = Eventhough I do tune for them more often .=20 Maybe I'm looking at it all wrong . ??? Thanks for your input in advance , and have a great Christmas season ! Brett Glass A Sharp Piano Service Maui --=20 ___________________________________________________ Play 100s of games for FREE! http://games.mail.com/ ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/c0/3e/e5/d1/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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