School districts and markup

[Dean May]

Similar to Mike below, I tune for several schools, just none in my home
county. School business is something I don't pursue as they are usually the
most difficult as Mike cites below. They also are the most unappreciative. I
can live without that.

 

Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359 

PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 

Terre Haute IN  47802

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Michael Magness
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 9:46 AM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: School districts and markup

 

 

On 10/10/07, Michelle Smith <michelle at smithpianoservice.com> wrote: 

Thanks Jim.  

 

I actually posted yesterday evening but it didn't show up for a while.  I
was, however, up at 4:40 this morning dealing with a 5-year-old issue.
Sheesh! 

 

Have a good one!

 

Michelle Smith

 

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of James H Frazee
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 6:45 AM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: School districts and markup

 

Michelle,

 

I'm not sure I'd take a full mark-up, it would depend on the situation.
(read, do I pay taxes in this district)  But I'd certainly charge them more
than just wholesale - you're time is worth something, just ask a teacher . .
. And, by the way, what are you doing up so early? 

 

Jim Frazee


Hi Michelle,

I have tuned for several school districts over the years although ironically
never the one I live in(go figure)! Against the advice of my older, more
experienced, wiser bretheren in the trade I offered a discount which I
thought was appreciated when I began doing school work. I found it wasn't
and my services were taken for granted as schools/teachers/directors are
wont to do. I was called frequently at the last minute expected to
re-arrange my schedule to accomodate theirs and still offer the discount. I
eventually learned what my colleages had tried to tell me, never discount to
anyone! I still do on occasion, in a case by case basis. Usually only on
purchases of items, cutting some percentage points or including some labor.
In some cases offering a package deal. In rare instances I'll discount a
tuning for a mention in the printed program. 

 

For instance in the sale you are asking about you might offer a percentage
off with installation at your regular labor rate as a package. Explain that
installing piano trucks isn't as simple as it appears and really should be
done by someone with experience installing them and with knowledge of
pianos. I have done the same thing when I sold piano trucks, Dampp-Chasers
w/covers, etc.  

I hope this helps, good luck with the 5 year old,

Mike 

-- 
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing
is to not stop questioning.-- Albert Einstein



Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404 
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20071010/9c960cea/attachment.html