Rates, etc

[Farrell]

My understanding is that there is no problem discussing professional fees. As you suggest, the only time a legitimate concern arises is when the discussion turns to making any sort of agreements about how much to charge for particular services.

I charge $95 for a standard tuning and $45 for a pitch raise. There, I said it. (I think I should raise my fees, but have been hesitant in this poor economic environment....)

I don't think that is what John was referring to though - I think he was referring to cash payments that might not be reported as income. And of course I would never take a payment for services and not report it as income.

Terry Farrell
  ----- Original Message ----- 

  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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