Rates, etc

[Jim]

Every now and then, this topic ( of rates ) comes up, and there are the 
usual bevy of cautions, warnings etc about Trade commissions, price 
discussions etc, mostly I think  of concern to the US practitioners.

I can not believe, that with all the goings on in both our countries 
around, say the price of fuel,  and how every station mirrors every other 
one, matching every increase within minutes, that there would be any 
concern about a few crusty old piano tuners ( self included here ) having 
a general discussion about what might be a fair cost . .  Note I said 
'discussion', not an oath to agree to all charge the same !!! . . . Leave 
that to the gas companies.

John, in far away Nova Scotia, does anyone in the provincial gov't actually 
give two hoots what you charge for your services??
I don't think there is anyone here in Ontario, other than the tax guys who 
want 'their share', that even knows, let alone is watching closely . . .

Are there gov't groups in the US that have nothing better to do ??

Amazing . . .

regards

Jim Kinnear
Collingwood, ON
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Ross
  To: Pianotech List
  Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 6:52 AM
  Subject: Re: Rates, etc


  Remember, 'Big Brother' could be watching. :-)
  That info is there forever.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Farrell
    To: Pianotech List
    Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 7:25 AM
    Subject: Re: Rates, etc


    That's what I do most of the time, although sometimes when it might be 
a future customer, and I didn't have to drive out of my way to get there 
(maybe just a few blocks over from another appointment), and it only takes 
five or ten minutes, I'll just suggest that they slip me a 20 and I'm on my 
way.......

    Terry Farrell
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Fenton Murray
      To: Pianotech List
      Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 11:23 PM
      Subject: Re: Rates, etc


      Mathew,
      This is my how I charge for service calls, be it tuning, consultation 
or repair or a combination there of. A .5 hour charge for the service call, 
plus my time. So if I am at the house for 6 minutes, that would be .5 plus 
.1 equals .6 hour charge. It works for me.
      Fenton
        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: Matthew Todd
        To: pianotech at ptg.org
        Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 6:25 PM
        Subject: Rates, etc


        Hello friends,

        I will be going to a new client in a few weeks.  They have an 
upright they will be selling, but a couple of the keys do not work.  So I 
will be going to repair them so she can sell it.

        When I go on a service call, I don't charge any less than my tuning 
fee.  My question is, what if the only problem with this pianos keys not 
working is a binding keyslip?  Would it be ethical to still charge my 
standard service call charge, whether I am there 5 minutes or one hour?


        Thanks,
        Matthew
  John M.Ross
  Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. 
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