how to politely ask for a raise

[reggaepass at aol.com]

 Hi Mike and List,


 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Magness <IFixPianos at yahoo.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 6:25 am
Subject: Re: how to politely ask for a raise











Hi Brian,


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I agree with the others that notice of some sort is the usual form of approach in matters such as this. I also come from a sales background and can offer some perspective from that angle for anyone who is contemplating raising their rates. In a situation such as Brian's as long as the price hike is commesurate with the going rate in the community, in other words he isn't charging more than everyone else, the anouncement is a simple courtesy to a regular customer.

If you are the best (i. e., most knowledgeable,experienced, skilled, tooled-up, reliable, etc.) in your area, why not charge more than everyone else if the market will bear it?

 



In the case of new customers asking for a price quote, state the current price and move on to other subjects. Do not announce that is a recent price hike or what the old price was. The same should be done for existing customers when they ask how much or you present the bill, DO NOT point out the increase. They probably won't remember, if they do, they may ask and then you can explain.

One long-time customer noticed a price increase and asked me if it was temporary or permanent.? I smiled broadly and told her that it was only temporary: as the cost of living and demand for my services continue to rise, so will my prices.? She took it well.
 



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When I was in sales our product went through periodic price increases and we as sales people hated it because we now had to ask for more. I had one sales manager who put it into perspective for us, his point was the customer doesn't know the price, the old one or the new one. So the only obstacle about the new price was in the head of the sales staff because we knew it had just increased, the customer was oblivious to this fact unless we CHOSE to make him/her aware of it. If we just went to the customer, explained the virtues of the product and stated the price as if it had always cost that much there would be no problem. He was right, I have used that lesson ever since.



?


Mike


 



 


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