charge for time?

[Farrell]

I don't charge for mileage for normally scheduled service calls (those 
scheduled well in advance within my normal range and/or those where I can 
schedule several appointments in a general area). I figure there are likely 
1,000 pianos within a very few miles of me and if I were all that great a 
technician, they would all come to me and I would never have to travel more 
than 5 miles to an appointment. But I guess I'm not all that great - or at 
least all local piano owners are not aware of my abilities. So, in order for 
me to schedule as many appointments as I would like (or need to feed my 
family), I need to travel a bit further. I figure that's my problem if I 
have to travel further than I would prefer - I want that work, so I don't 
apply a penalty to the client.

However, if Joe Smoe wants me to service a piano in Bumfoofy, Florida - 
three counties over - you bet I will make a separate travel charge (an 
hourly rate). Or even if the service call is in my normal area, but maybe 20 
miles away, and they want me there at some particular time when I don't have 
any other appointments in the area, then they also get invoiced for travel 
time.

Oh, and I make sure to drive my 53 mpg Prius!

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Spalding" <mike.spalding1 at verizon.net>
>... I set my tuning fee to cover all my overhead expenses including auto 
>expense.  Keeps it simple between me and the customer.
>
> Mike