A Question re: Stealing Customers??

[Mike Swendsen]

A year and a half ago, I was hurt in a fall that left me in the hospital for
a week with 3 weeks recuperating at home.  The guild members in the Calgary
Chapter all pitched in and took my tuning schedule for that month and did my
tunings for me, and had the cheques ( that's Canadian for checks) made out
to me.  And these are my competitors!

I really don't worry about these 'competitors' stealing customers!   These
people are my friends.  I may have lost one or two customers, but I gain as
many as I loose, and on follow up tunings the piano owners were all very
impressed with the guild.

Maybe not all chapters can or will respond like the Calgary Chapter, but
belonging to the guild is definitley a positive professional move as well as
personal.

Mike Swendsen RPT
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
-----Original Message-----
From: btrout@desupernet.net <btrout@desupernet.net>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: March 1, 1999 8:01 PM
Subject: A Question re: Stealing Customers??


>Dear List,
>
>I'd like to ask a question.  I mean no ill will toward anyone in asking,
and I
>certainly don't wish to cause any flared tempers or the like.
>
>I'm not presently a member of the guild, but am giving some consideration
to
>joining.
>
>What position does the 'guild' take, and what position do you as
individuals take in
>regards to servicing a customer of another guild member?  What do you do if
your
>customer calls upon the 'other' tuner in town, or responds to 'their'
advertising?
>
>What a sticky question!!
>
>Right now, at least for the time being, I work for a dealer and am somewhat
>insulated from this question.  But it's been on my mind.
>
>How do you reconcile being part of an organization where other members are
actually
>your competition?  How do you maintain good working relationships with
those who are
>in direct competition for the same dollar you are after?
>
>I realize that in some instances there will be a division of skills among
people.
>Some are better at tuning, some at voicing, some at regulation, some at
bellying,
>some at refinishing...
>
>I guess at the heart of my question is this.  Relationships and a spirit of
>comradery(sp?) are important to me.  Being able to openly share and learn
from each
>other is very important to me.  How do you keep peace in the 'family'?
>
>I do ask these questions with a sincere heart, again not wanting to ruffle
anyone's
>feathers.
>
>I'd really appreciate your thoughts.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Brian Trout
>Quarryville, PA
>
>