[pianotech] priorities

[Delwin D Fandrich]

That's basically what I do; leave a bill. I don't always get paid either and
I make no particular effort to collect. No small claims courts or anything
like that. But I've left an invoice and a statement; the statement being
that my time has value and if we are to have a working relationship in the
future they need to recognize that. If they pay the invoice and we
reschedule an appointment they generally become steady customers. If they
don't pay the invoice I don't have to fuss with them in the future. I have
had a few folks call me and try to make subsequent appointments without
paying for the missed call and I decline as respectfully as possible. I'm
much happier working with folks who want what I am able to supply enough to
be willing to pay for and treat my time with at least a modicum of
consideration.

 

ddf

 

Delwin D Fandrich

Piano Design & Fabrication

6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA

Phone  360.515.0119 - Cell  360.388.6525

 <mailto:del at fandrichpiano.com> del at fandrichpiano.com -
<mailto:ddfandrich at gmail.com> ddfandrich at gmail.com

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Paul Williams
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 12:37 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] priorities

 

Sadly..on a new customer, when this has happened (not very often), and left
a bill, they just blow it off!  I don't think their is a legal way to get a
"no show" bill to happen in your favor. 

 

Wim, you know the Washington state area a bit.Once I drove all the way to
Bellingham from south Whidbey Island for a new customer who was a referral
from a prominent recording artist who I did a lot of work for.(2 hour drive
one way) I showed up for the new appointment; nobody home.  I had no other
appointments up there except something 3 hours later.  With nothing else to
do after a long drive, I waited and waited about an hour.  Then, disgusted,
I left a bill and phone message for the whole first visit charge.  Still
weeks later, nothing.  My usual guy was apologetic, but of course, he
offered nothing for the others' inconsideration.  I never did hear from this
person, nor did I ever receive payment.  Very rich neighborhood and a well
kept house. I saw the nice grand in the livingroom too.  Still nothing.
Some people are just jerks and we need to move on! On the other hand, maybe
they died.

 

Who was that lady in the news about a couple years ago who said, "only
little people pay taxes".  I figured this new person was like that and just
wrote it off.

 

I got better after that on calling the day before (especially involving a
long distance drive). That seemed to work better.  There will always be
jerks.

 

Paul

 

 

From: Delwin D Fandrich <del at fandrichpiano.com>
Reply-To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 10:13:16 -0700
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] priorities

 

Yes, we do. My rule is 24 hours' notice but I'll (usually) accept the night
before. 

 

And your time was wasted unless you had planned on having a completely
nonproductive day in your shop. 

 

ddf

 

Delwin D Fandrich

Piano Design & Fabrication

6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA

Phone  360.515.0119 - Cell  360.388.6525

del at fandrichpiano.com  <mailto:del at fandrichpiano.com> - ddfandrich at gmail.com

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of tnrwim at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 6:11 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] priorities

 

We have a different opinion and solution to this problem. Ok. But now the
next question. Instead of being stood up at the door, what if she calls
(pick one), an hour, two hours, the night before, a day before, any time,
which doesn't allow you enough time to schedule someone else in that time
slot, do you still charge her for lost income and a no show? I realize
travel time is worth something, and since I was staying home to work in the
shop anyway, the time was not wasted. But what if its the first appointment
of the day, and you've got several others to do? Wasted time is wasted time.

 

Wim  

 

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