Rates, etc

[Jim]

of course !!
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Farrell
  To: Pianotech List
  Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 8:43 AM
  Subject: Re: Rates, etc


  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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