Convincing the Client

[Carl Teplitski]

Calling several days ahead very risky in my part of the woods. I called one
evening before going in the AM. When I got there , right on time, client doesn't
answer door. Tried back, front, side," no chimney," no answer.
Neighbor finally sees me wandering around and asks  what I was doing.
After explaining, he tells me client left about 1/2 hr. ago. Didn't know where.
As the call was a single in that area, clear across town, I blew a whole
morning. Really ticked off. Called her later that day; she laughingly tells me
she forgot and met a girl friend for breakfast. Wondered when we could
reschedule. I gave her a  date in near future. Do I need to tell anybody
...........  I forgot to go.???  Pure inconsideration by this person, and didn't
even apologize. Wouldn't go back there at triple the price. I never go if I
don't make contact before leaving my house. They
say, you don't have to check, but I say, YES I DO.        ( ranting feels good )
Thanks for the opportunity.

Carl / Winnipeg.
Tom Servinsky wrote:

> Good point,
> They get a call several days ahead.  There's too much risky wasting of
> driving time if you don't for sure everyone's on the same calendar.
> Tom Servinsky,RPT
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 12:12 AM
> Subject: Re: Convincing the Client
>
> > Tom,
> >     How many missed appointments do you have with this method? I can
> foresee
> > that many would say ... "I just forgot." Do you send out a reminder before
> the
> > appointment or call to remind? Seems like you'd get many holes in the day
> this
> > way.
> >
> > Greg
> >
> > Tom Servinsky wrote:
> >
> > > Tom,and list,
> > > I've been in the business 21 yrs. and the amt. that actually respond by
> > > reminders has always been low.  I've come to expect that due to the amt.
> of
> > > hounding reminders and unnecessary mail we all get from every Tom,Dick,
> and
> > > Harry.
> > > If there was every  a better argument for managing clients using a PDA
> > >  Palm Pilot types) is with this very discussion. I have found that while
> you
> > > are face to face with a customer they have your full attention. That is
> the
> > > time to schedule that next appointment. I'm up to about 50% of all
> > > appointments  being scheduled for the next tuning.
> > > With the Palm you'll always know what's going on a year from now and
> believe
> > > it's a joy to manage the customers in this predictable manner. Not to
> > > mention your job situation will always feel more secure.
> > > Tom Servinsky,RPT
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
> > > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > > Sent: Monday, April 22, 2002 9:56 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Convincing the Client
> > >
> > > > Hi Tom. I'm in my fourth year and I also get about a 10% response
> rate.
> > > >
> > > > Terry Farrell
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: <Tvak@AOL.COM>
> > > > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > > > Sent: Monday, April 22, 2002 8:05 AM
> > > > Subject: Re: Convincing the Client
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > In a message dated 4/22/02 6:48:26 AM, cedel@supernet.com writes:
> > > > >
> > > > > << Before the very first appointment, send a letter titled
> "Information
> > > for
> > > > > First-Time Clients"  >>
> > > > >
> > > > > That's an interesting idea.  I am amazed at your response to your 6
> > > month
> > > > > reminder cards.  My response rate is about 10%.  But I've only
> really
> > > been in
> > > > > business for 3 years.
> > > > > Do you back up your cards with a phone call?  I've heard that this
> is
> > > the
> > > > > only way to get a good response rate on reminder cards.
> > > > >
> > > > > Tom Sivak
> > > > >
> > > >
> >
> > --
> > Greg Newell
> > mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net
> >
> >