how to politely ask for a raise

[Michael Magness]

On Feb 5, 2008 9:12 PM, Michelle Smith <michelle at smithpianoservice.com>
wrote:

>  Hi Brian.   I would let them know that in 2 months you will raise your
> rates due to increasing gas prices.  This gives them time to get used to the
> idea and also takes some pressure off of everyone.  Gas prices are the
> problem—not you or your client.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
>
> Michelle Smith
>
> Bastrop, Texas
>
>
>
> *From:* pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Brian Doepke
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 05, 2008 8:12 PM
> *To:* Pianotech List
> *Subject:* how to politely ask for a raise
>
>
>
> I have been tuning for a church twice a month for a year+1/2 without even
> a slight increase in fees.  I don't want to lose this client.  They like my
> work, we have a good communication and rapport....but I feel a slight
> increase is warranted with increased advertising costs, travel expenses and
> so on.
>
>
>
> How would you handle this?   Or...would you just leave the situation as it
> is?
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
>
>
>
> Brian P. Doepke; RPT
> A.A.A. Piano Works, LLC
> "The after-taste of poor quality
> lasts longer than the first bite
> of a good deal."
>
Hi Brian,

I agree with the others that notice of some sort is the usual form of
approach in matters such as this. I also come from a sales background and
can offer some perspective from that angle for anyone who is contemplating
raising their rates. In a situation such as Brian's as long as the price
hike is commesurate with the going rate in the community, in other words he
isn't charging more than everyone else, the anouncement is a simple courtesy
to a regular customer.
In the case of new customers asking for a price quote, state the current
price and move on to other subjects. Do not announce that is a recent price
hike or what the old price was. The same should be done for existing
customers when they ask how much or you present the bill, DO NOT point out
the increase. They probably won't remember, if they do, they may ask and
then you can explain.

When I was in sales our product went through periodic price increases and we
as sales people hated it because we now had to ask for more. I had one sales
manager who put it into perspective for us, his point was the customer
doesn't know the price, the old one or the new one. So the only obstacle
about the new price was in the head of the sales staff because we knew it
had just increased, the customer was oblivious to this fact unless we CHOSE
to make him/her aware of it. If we just went to the customer, explained the
virtues of the product and stated the price as if it had always cost that
much there would be no problem. He was right, I have used that lesson ever
since.

Mike


-- 
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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