Since I don't do any more rebuilding, most of my work now is just minor repairs and regulations, which?are in the $300 - $800 range.?So I don't ask for a deposit. I only get a deposit on major work, anything over $1000, and/or if I write up an official estimate. In 30 plus years, this is the first time this experience has happened to me. Wim -----Original Message----- From: Richard Gullion <pianoguy52 at hotmail.com> To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 2:12 pm Subject: Re: [pianotech] no shows On any repairs...I get a deposit up front...balance on return. It has worked for me very well, with no complaints. Richard the "Piano Guy" www.thepianoguy.webs.com From: dlawson at davidlawsonspianos.com.au To: pianotech at ptg.org Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:47:40 +1100 Subject: Re: [pianotech] no shows Hi Wim, ? Over?the last year or we two, we have started ringing for confirmation the day before the appointment, especially if we have to remind customer to leave a key out or any other special instructions, (like "have some money handy!') Mostly it works, very occasionally someone manages to forget in less than 24 hours and sometimes we have to reschedule when we ring to confirm because they have forgotten and made other plans but at least we aren't wasting time traveling to the destination for no result. ? Regards, Alastair. David Lawson's Pianos Wangaratta Australia. ? ----- Original Message ----- From: wimblees at aol.com To: Pianotech at PTG.org Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 5:45 AM Subject: [pianotech] no shows I am used to no-shows, but it seems I have more than usual than?I did on the mainland. Here is what's happening.?I get a call from the man, who sets up an appointment. But?when?I show up, his wife either doesn't know I'm coming, and?turns me away.Or she knew I was coming, but tells me she is not interested?in getting the work done, and turns me away. The last straw came today. The husband?called me last week, and I scheduled an appointment for Monday at 9. Since it was a Holiday, the wife and 4 kids were home. She didn't know I was coming, but let me in anyway. It was a?Hamilton, with half the hammers unglued. She called him, and he said?OK for me to do the work, but that?he?couldn't pay me until Friday. I said that's fine, because it would take me that?long to do the work. I show up Friday?afternoon, action in hand. She answers the door and?she?not only forgot I was coming, but couldn't pay me, and that her husband?was?off island, and wouldn't be back until Monday. She said she would call me. Obviously I took the action with me. So what do I do? I've got an action in my shop on which I spent several hours, and they have a piano that they can't use, (although they probably weren't using it anyway. They got it for free). I'm thinking of charging an extra $50 for the inconvenience, and making him pay up front before I even go to the house. On the other hand, if I play "hardball", they might just forget about the whole thing, and dump the piano, and I'll never get paid for my work. ? Suggestions? Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! So many new options, so little time. Windows Live Messenger. = -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090223/b9ff2716/attachment.html>
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