big city rates

[Leslie Bartlett]

We have a local guy who says he charges according to the "thickness of the
carpet"................    I sort of like to keep that in mind as I consider
what I will charge, because usually I really cheat myself, especially if it
is some little old lady on fixed income.   If the carpet is really thick,
then I will actually charge for a 20-cent pitch raise, when I often don't,
since I use an ETD and generally go through all pianos twice anyhow.  I was
in a home this week where the lady teaches in a private school and doesn't
make enough to get her learning disabled kid in, so I extra work for which I
didn't charge. I don't up my fees in the wealthy homes, but I do give myself
permission to charge extra for neglected pianos, and will charge for some
repairs I would just sort of gloss over in homes where people are rather
strapped.  The guy who charges by "thickness of carpet" is actually highly
scrupulous and his business ethics actually are totally above reproach.  I
just remind myself at times that I do deserve to earn a living wage, which I
so often forget untill I have to pay a "living bill" for something like auto
or aircondditioning............
les bartlett
www.bartlettpianoservice.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of A440A at aol.com
Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 1:34 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: big city rates

Sid writes: 
<< > In my rural area, I am on the verge of charging these people with 

> their second homes and second

> decorator Steinways big city rates.  Likely triple my norm.

> >>

Greetings,
  This appears to be a classic case of opportunism.  If "these people" come
to find out that you are charging them more than your norm because they are
wealthy, (and it will happen), you can kiss your reputation and future
income from them good-bye.  Also, if you charge more because the customer is
rich, you cannot say your price and your quality are linked.  There is
nothing but trouble ahead for this business approach.  
    Your integrity will be measured by how closely your word and your deed
match one another.  Will you honestly tell customers that your price depends
on how much money they have?  
Regards,  
 
Ed Foote RPT
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
 

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