the economy

[wimblees at aol.com]

Dean

I've thought about what you're suggesting, but I don't want to sound arrogant, or flippant. 

I saw a bumper sticker on a commercial truck the other day. "Cheap work isn't good, and good work isn't cheap". I might try that out, and see what happens. 


Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
Mililani, Oahu, HI
808-349-2943
Author of: 
The Business of Piano Tuning
available from Potter Press
www.pianotuning.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Dean May <deanwmay at gmail.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 3:40 am
Subject: Re: the economy



When the customer responds to your price quote with, "I'll think about it," I always volunteer that if price is their major consideration then I am one of the most expensive tuners around. I might even give them the names of some cheaper tuners. 

Be proud of the price you charge and the years of experience you had to go through to get to this price level. It subtly communicates to the customer that though they can find a cheaper price they will be getting what they pay for. 

-- 
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 wimblees at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2008 1:07 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: the economy

?

Bruce

The problem is that the other tuners on this island have not kept up with the cost of living. (and neither have some other businesses). When I got here, I found out that most of the tuners charge less than $100 for a tuning, some even as low as $65. The only guy who charges more is the symphony tuner, and he gets only $135. When?I asked the other tuners, (all PTG members) why they don't charge more, their answer basically is that they will loose their customers.?. This is a small island, and if they charge more, they will not only loose that customer, but all their relatives and friends, And that can add up to a large number.?Even though they are all at least a month?or more behind,?they still insist that they can't charge more

I charge $115, (just went up from $110), When I am asked what my fee is, about 1 out of 5 will say, "I'll think about it", or something to that effect. My wife keeps telling me to lower my fee, but I think I will get just as many "thinkers", if?I say?I charge $95, or even $99. I just ran an ad on a local jazz station, offering 20% discount, and didn't get ONE call. 

So it isn't my fee. It's being new to the island. Even though I have only been here for 14 months, I?think I'm doing pretty good, especially considering the current state of our economy. 

So, Bruce, my business plan is fine. Don't forget, I did do some research on this, (see my signature line).

Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
Mililani, Oahu, HI
808-349-2943
Author of: 




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