Fees - revisited

[Bradley M. Snook]

In the end, the consumer doesn't really care how long it takes you to do a
job; they simply want to know how much it will cost and that you do quality
work. I think that it is more comfortable for the consumer if they
understand that a "standard" job will generally cost a certain amount. If
the job turns out not to be standard, then the consumer should understand
why it will cost more to ensure a certain level of quality. Neither the
technician nor the consumer wants to feel cheated out of time and money. A
fair pricing structure will make both parties feel comfortable.

The end result should not necessarily be based on the amount of time taken.
But in the long run, time is a very important issue when a technician prices
a job. If you spend 6 hours on a tuning and only charge $100, it will be
very difficult for you to make a living. But at the same time, charging $600
would be disproportional to the final result. There are a number of issues
that should be balanced when ascertaining the value of the final work.

Doing a job quickly allows you to make more money by being able to schedule
more jobs. This only works if you have a standard price for a job. If you
charge by the hour, there is little incentive to work faster.


Bradley M. Snook





----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted Rohde" <rohde@pdnt.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 6:20 PM
Subject: Re: Fees - revisited


> Ed Foote wrote:
>       Time is all we have to sell, and when we run out of it, there isn't
> any more, so I suggest that the only way to maximize your time's worth is
to
> constantly strive to do higher quality work and constantly raise your
prices
> to match.
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> Mr. Foote and List,
>     Thanks for all your input...quite insightful.  But I QUITE
RESPECTFULLY
> (and I mean that, Mr. Foote) disagree with the above suggestion that time
is
> all we have to sell.  As I read the input week after week on this list, I
> realize you have so much more to sell than time....namely knowledge.
>     Bear with me...we have a well pump that had problems.  I had two
service
> people out who both repaired the problem only to have it return within a
> short time.  I was referred to a man who had been in the well pump
business
> for MANY years.  I called him. Over the phone he asked what brand the pump
> was.  I told him.  He asked "does it have a silver band on the back or a
> black band on the back?"  I responded.  After a few more questions, he
said
> he would be out in a couple hours and get it fixed, which he did.  It took
> him 20 minutes, one $10 part and a pair of pliers for which I GLADLY paid
> his $110 bill.  He didn't sell his time...he sold 30 years of working his
> field, knowing the problem, coming prepared for the job and getting out.
>     You experienced techs are the same.  Y'all know that the 200 series
> Yamahas from the 70's break bass strings and have to have low tension
> replacements...Baldwin Spinets click at the grommets...don't replace just
> one elbow on a Lester spinet...Steinway flange rails have to be
> repaired...Samick let off buttons make noise sometimes...Story & Clark
> pinblocks separate and have to be secured....golly, the list just goes on
ad
> infinitum (and I don't know why those came to mind, they just did).  We do
a
> disservice to ourselves if we assume we only have our time to sell.
That's
> my point, I guess.  You all have so much more, in my opinion.  And that
> knowledge has value far exceeding an hourly base.
>
> Thanks for the opportunity to voice.
>
>
> Ted Rohde
> Central Illinois
>
>