Fuel surcharge?

[Dean May]

Not to rip your head off, Matthew, but you might consider this: You need to
make X amount of dollars. Your total fuel charge eats into that amount.
Those who wish to use your services at a distance add a proportionally
greater amount to that fuel bill. If you don't charge them for it, then your
local customers bear the burden. 

 

I have lots of customers in a 50 mile radius. There are local part time
tuners out there they could use. They want me. They must pay for the extra
fuel and time it takes for me to get there. Either that or I have to bill it
to my local customers so I can get the X amount of dollars I need for my
budget. I don't think my local customers should have to pay for me to
service 50 miles away. 

 

I have two rates, one in county rate and an out of county rate that is $6
higher. The out of county people know they are paying more. Nobody has ever
voiced the first complaint. They expect it. 

 

I like Phil's system. I think I'll consider it. 

 

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 Matthew Todd
Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2008 8:43 AM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Fuel surcharge?

 

I recently purchased $2,000 of furniture from a store, and they charged me a
$50 fuel surcharge for delivery.  They obviously wanted that extra buck from
my pocket.  Everytime I see companies do a fuel surcharge it irritates me,
so why would I want to turn around and do the same thing to my customers?  A
local bottled water carrier charges an $11 surcharge.  Now get this....they
may have 20 customers within a 10 block radius, and they'll charge each one
the 11 bucks!!  It is just a way for companies to make us pay for what is
ultimately their responsibility!

 

When a client calls inquiring about our tuning rate how many of us would
actually say, "Yes Mrs. Jones my standard tuning rate is $xxx, plus tax,
plus fuel, which is $xx", and in the back of your mind you're thinking,
"lol, what a sucker!"

 

I personally will charge a little more for clients in different zip codes.
But personally, if I decide to service a particular area, I need to bite the
bullet and not be so picky.  Heck, if that's the case, the customer should
charge us for the air we breathe in their home, and for using their piano
bench!

 

If I ever find myself going to a fuel surcharge, maybe I need to reevaluate
how I am living and see if there are any frivolities or luxuries I can do
without.  But that is just me, and before any of you start ripping my head
off....it is just MY OPINION!  There, I said it, and I feel better already.

 

Have a beautiful day!

Matthew

Phil Bondi <phil at philbondi.com> wrote:

Mike, since May 1, I've added a 'trip charge' to my bill. 
I've had a few questions, and no one has complained.

My charge is based on zip code..how far a particular 
client's zip code is from mine(one way), and I figured .xx X 
those miles(based on google maps) to reach my figures. If 
I'm servicing more than 1 client in that zip code on that 
day, both get charged the same amount. Someone in the same 
zip code as me still gets charged a minimal amount. If I 
turn the key of my truck to get to you, you're being charged.

Mike, I feel like I've been a 'good guy' long enough..I did 
alot of research and some soul-searching to come to this 
conclusion:

-When I last raised my rates(May '04), I was by far the 2nd 
most expensive tech in my area.
-When I raised my rates, the price of a gallon of regular 
was 1.759.
-I can't continue to hemorrhage cash into the 
truck..someone's gotta pay.

So far this works for me.

-Phil Bondi(Fl)

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20080607/9f03147c/attachment.html