[pianotech] Raising rates in recession

[tnrwim at aol.com]

Wally

In April I actually dropped my rate from $115 to $85, to be more in line with the other tuners. But I explain that $85 is my "basic" fee, and is only for tuning. Then I tell them that my "full service" tuning fee is $115, (which used to be my basic fee), but includes minor repairs and minor pitch adjustments and regulation. For my regular customers, I charge the basic, if all Ii do is tune. But I do sell extra's like rust blocker, and maybe try to sell them on cleaning and polishing the case. For new customers, I tell them I have to see the piano before I can tell them what the fee will be, but the lower rate at least gets me in the door. 

I had to do this because my business was down about 30% from the previous year. I had to do something to get customers. It's starting to turn around. but I'm planning on staying at the "basic" fee for at least another 6 months. I'll see what the economy is doing by then before make a decision as to whether I'll go back up to my "normal" fee.

Wim 






-----Original Message-----
From: Wally Scherer <afinetune at yahoo.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sun, Jun 27, 2010 3:24 pm
Subject: [pianotech] Raising rates in recession


I usually raise my rates a bit every two years to keep up with the cost of 
iving. But since we are in a recession, is this wise to do now?
Wally Scherer
A FINE TUNE - Piano Tuning & Repairs
allace T. Scherer, piano technician, music educator
020 Canal Drive, Lake Worth, Florida, 33463-8014
elephone: 561-432-4121
eb page: http://aftune.angelfire.com
acebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-FINE-TUNE-PIANO-TUNING-REPAIRS/129845010366185
-----------------------------------------------
REE TICKETS: http://aftune.angelfire.com/freetics.html

     

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