[pianotech] repeat business

[Paul T Williams]

Paul is correct.

It's not you. It's the economy...or it's just people.  Those who use the 
piano for making money have it tuned regularly. Those who dont, or just 
kids play it, etc, consider tuning discretionary spending.  They'll 
eventually call you back when things get better, but food, lights, rent or 
mortgage are way above tunings for the monthly budget.  It's still tight 
out there, so don't worry, just drum up more new business! 

I never had that much luck with 6 month advance scheduling.  Things always 
change.  The best customers always just called me, and the other best 
customers, I would have to remind, but always scheduled.  It was the 
people who I only saw once, or after 3-4 years that never were 
reliable...either moved, some body else tuned it last year, or don't care.

It's still a good idea, though, to call every 6 months and see how things 
are going.  Don't scare them into the fact that "it'll cost you more if 
you wait.." sort of thing. Then, you'll lose them forever, (even when the 
next time they have it tuned, it's gone 30 cents out...that never sinks 
in.....)

Sure, we'd all love to have 600 customers who immediately reschedule, but 
that's a dream come true.  Maybe a dozen techs have ever had that happen, 
but I doubt it.  One can dream, though :>) 

Being on an island for 15 years, with lots of Boeing employees living 
there, I got the put off all the time... people were very fickle and just 
called whoever could come the next day sort of thing.I only had maybe 
40-50 really faithful customers.The rest were on the "mainland".   This is 
the very reason I became a CAUT....I could never rely on anyone to make 
sure dinner was on the table. Strange how a small community on an island 
where everyone knows everyone, can choose to be so choosey! They were 
always looking for the "deal".  Piss off I finally said! Now, I get many 
messages of how much they miss me!  Oh, Boo Hoo!

Sorry to rant off, but that's my story.

Paul




From:
"Paul McCloud" <pmc033 at earthlink.net>
To:
<pianotech at ptg.org>
Date:
08/17/2010 02:38 PM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] repeat business



Hi, Marshall:
                It’s the same here in San Diego.  The quality of your work 
speaks for itself.  What is it about the economy that sucks that you don’t 
understand?  People are losing their homes and their jobs.  Is it any 
wonder they don’t get their pianos tuned regularly?  It shouldn’t be a 
surprise, and it’s just human nature.  Just keep your name in their minds 
by asking them, and be courteous if they refuse.  My guess is that those 
who don’t return calls are implicitly saying “no thanks just now”.  When 
things look a little better, they’ll be calling you. 
                My take 
                Paul McCloud
                San Diego, CA
 
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On 
Behalf Of Marshall Gisondi
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 11:26 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] repeat business
 
Hi Everyone,
Does anyone here have the trouble of getting people to reschedule for 
their 6 month tunings?  I've been told I do quality work.  Maybe I feel it 
more because I haven't been in business as long as someone who might have 
300 customers and 30 of theirs don't return calls or reschedule.  do you 
guys run into things like people not returning calls, moving etc?  I'm 
finding this to be rediculous.
Marshall

Marshall Gisondi Piano Technician
Marshall's Piano Service
pianotune05 at hotmail.com
215-510-9400
www.phillytuner.com 
Graduate of The School of Piano Technology for the Blind 
www.pianotuningschool.org Vancouver, WA







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