Set Fees was RE: Pitch Raise and String Breakage

[Alan]

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YES, YES, That is exactly my approach--some of you misunderstood--I just =
add
that the customer will understand what is needed and what it costs =
before I
even begin. In other words, no surprises. And that includes strings. If =
it's
a big PR or there is rust, previously spliced or replaced strings, etc., =
I
sure mention the possibility that "strings might break."
=20
Floating or variable fees are a baaaaaad idea for a lot of reasons. If I =
am
doing discounted work, I tell the customer (sensitively) what I am doing =
and
ask them not to tell others what they paid. This doesn't happen often, =
but
I'd rather have a stable of regular tuning customers and not be in the
business of disappointing people over a few bucks.
=20
Alan R. Barnard
Salem, MO
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On =
Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:06 AM
To: 'Pianotech'
Subject: RE: Pitch Raise and String Breakage


I find it difficult not to quote any price.  I usually tell them that =
the
cost depends on what needs to be done.  I let them know that basic =
tuning
costs x for pianos that I service on a regular basis but that fees for =
1st
tunings or for pianos that have been neglected for awhile can be higher.
How much higher will depend on what needs to be done and then I usually =
give
them a typical range.   I also tell them that repairs, voicing, =
regulation
are charged in addition and on an hourly basis. =20
=20
David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net=20
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On =
Behalf
Of Piannaman@aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 6:49 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: Pitch Raise and String Breakage
=20
In a message dated 1/14/05 2:05:59 AM Pacific Standard Time,
terry@farrellpiano.com writes:
"Lately I've been ducking the whole "how much do you charge thing" quite
succesfully with calls like you describe. I simply say: "I don't want to
quote anything before I see a piano for the first time."
(snip)
"Also, this let's me.....estimate the family's financial situation, find =
out
how much the piano means to them, etc."
=20
Hmmmmm. Sounds suspicious to me. Don't you even have a standard tuning =
fee?
I find it much easier to not have to deal with a "floating" fee.  All of =
my
rates are listed at the bottom of my invoice.  If I feel like the =
customer
is particularly cash-strapped, I can give a discounts\.  Leaving a large
gray area when dealing with money can create problems like, "you tuned =
the
Dungboi piano at my friend's house for XXX$, how come you charged me =
xxxx$
to tune my Bargaindorfer?" =20
=20
For someone who is glib and a good bargainer, I can see the appeal of =
"no
set fee."  For someone who has trouble asking for what he/she deserves,
having it etched in stone can make that aspect of the job easier.
=20
Dave Stahl

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