This is clearly a worldwide school community problem as I have the same frustrations in Australia. The general level of matinence for school pianos is low as are budget and funding allocations. The issues are usually determined by the school bursar or accountant. Not all Directors are pianists and there can be scant regard for the condition of even new pianos while banks of new computers adorn IT rooms and are treated with awe. Tuners need to be affirmative and definite about what they are prepared to do and the conditions under which they will work. Try doing a "concert" standard tuning in a space with a brass band rehearsal and a drum session in adjacent rooms! I have refused these sort of conditions, insisted on access during vacation periods and never resile from billing in exact accordance with the volume and quality of work required. In the end it generates a level of appreciation and respect that keeps the association well and businesslike. That's all we can ask. Karl Schenscher. South Australia. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dean May To: 'Pianotech List' Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 11:48 PM Subject: RE: School districts and markup Similar to Mike below, I tune for several schools, just none in my home county. School business is something I don't pursue as they are usually the most difficult as Mike cites below. They also are the most unappreciative. I can live without that. Dean Dean May cell 812.239.3359 PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 Terre Haute IN 47802 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Michael Magness Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 9:46 AM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: School districts and markup On 10/10/07, Michelle Smith <michelle at smithpianoservice.com> wrote: Thanks Jim. I actually posted yesterday evening but it didn't show up for a while. I was, however, up at 4:40 this morning dealing with a 5-year-old issue. Sheesh! Have a good one! Michelle Smith ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of James H Frazee Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 6:45 AM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: School districts and markup Michelle, I'm not sure I'd take a full mark-up, it would depend on the situation. (read, do I pay taxes in this district) But I'd certainly charge them more than just wholesale - you're time is worth something, just ask a teacher . . . And, by the way, what are you doing up so early? Jim Frazee Hi Michelle, I have tuned for several school districts over the years although ironically never the one I live in(go figure)! Against the advice of my older, more experienced, wiser bretheren in the trade I offered a discount which I thought was appreciated when I began doing school work. I found it wasn't and my services were taken for granted as schools/teachers/directors are wont to do. I was called frequently at the last minute expected to re-arrange my schedule to accomodate theirs and still offer the discount. I eventually learned what my colleages had tried to tell me, never discount to anyone! I still do on occasion, in a case by case basis. Usually only on purchases of items, cutting some percentage points or including some labor. In some cases offering a package deal. In rare instances I'll discount a tuning for a mention in the printed program. For instance in the sale you are asking about you might offer a percentage off with installation at your regular labor rate as a package. Explain that installing piano trucks isn't as simple as it appears and really should be done by someone with experience installing them and with knowledge of pianos. I have done the same thing when I sold piano trucks, Dampp-Chasers w/covers, etc. I hope this helps, good luck with the 5 year old, Mike -- Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.-- Albert Einstein Michael Magness Magness Piano Service 608-786-4404 www.IFixPianos.com email mike at ifixpianos.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20071011/9457b99b/attachment.html
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