referall fees

[phil frankenberg]

If I took my car to be repaired by my mechanic and found out later that he
couln't do the work ,but instead gave the job to one of his buddies, then
charged me $300 more than the actual work warranted, I'd find another
mechanic immediately.
My contacts pay me to work for them , not to take advantage of them. Maybe I
live in Mayberry, but in this town all the tuners, rebuilders give free
recommendations to anyone's client based on ability and reputation, not on
kickbacks.
I guess it's kind of obvious that I strongly disagree with your business
philosophy. However I'm very grateful to live in a society where you can
make whatever choice you feel is right for you. I'm sure you will have a
better car than I, but in my little town, I think I pay a better price for
mine.

Phil Frankenberg
Chico Ca.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Servinsky" <tompiano@gate.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 8:22 AM
Subject: Re: referall fees


> It depends on how the conditions of the sale is completed. Are you
> completely turning this customer over to your colleague and have them
handle
> all the necessities ( moving, actual work, follow tuning/checkup) or are
you
> subcontracting their services, still maintaining the customer through your
> books?
> For the record I am a big fan of utilizing the power of subcontracting.
It
> is a wonderful tool to expand your business,  whether its funneling
overflow
> work to other techs with work you physically can't get to, or if its ( as
> you stated) out of your realm of expertise.
> I bring this up because commissions or referral situations are something
to
> take advantage of.  You have the contacts..now let them pay for
themselves.
> Develop a relationship with a local rebuilder and agree upon prices for
> rebuilding. Have the rebuilder go into contract with you as a
subcontractor
> and you then contract with the customer.
>   As far as the referral % rate, I don't think there is any % rate that is
> written in stone, however 10-20% would be reasonable.  The bottom line is
> you should make some $ on your contacts and most rebuilders want to stay
> busy. If  making $200 on a job which you do don't have to lift a finger
and
> it works for both, you and the rebuilder..go for it.  However on larger
jobs
> ($15,000 and up)  your take increases.
>  But if you choose the subcontracting route, the financial picture changes
> dramatically.
> Now the rebuilder agrees upon a price and you  subcontract the job to him,
> while the paperwork  goes  through your business.  The rebuilder is
working
> in partnership with you and acts as the shop person.  We play this role
with
> several technicians all the time. You, the contractor, then charge the
> customer over and above that fee to whatever you see as a marketable
price.
> Your fee then could be considerably more and eventually contribute a
larger
> part of your income.
>   This is one area where many tuners could be doing a lot more for
> themselves (financially) and take advantage of all the customers they come
> in contact with. No, not everyone has the desire or wants to become a
> rebuilder. But that shouldn't stop you from including rebuilding as part
of
> your business...if you have a competent, reliable rebuilder willing to
work
> in conjunction with your business.
> Tom Servinsky, RPT
> Tom Servinsky,RPT
> Tom Servinsky,RPT
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "pianolover 88" <pianolover88@hotmail.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2001 12:58 PM
> Subject: referall fees
>
>
> > Since I do not do complete restringing work, I will be referring my
> customer
> > to a tech who has a shop set up specifically for major repairs,
rebuliding
> &
> > restringing. My question is, what would be a reasonable referral fee?
I've
> > already told my customer that the complete job would be in the $2,000
> > neighborhood, so I was thinking 10% or $200 would be fair for my end. Am
I
> > close?
> >
> > Terry Peterson
> > Precision Piano Service
> > Torrance, CA
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
> >
>