Marshall I feel your pain and depression. It's been tough for me, too. But, the phone is starting to ring a little more. Here is something that might make you feel better. It won't solve your immediate problem, but hopefully will give you some encouragement to hang in there. When I first started in the business 35 years ago, an old timer told me that for no reason at all, the phone will stop ringing. It has nothing to do with the economy, the time of year, or the weather. He said that while he was looking for work, some of his friends in the business, in the same town, were busy as all get out. Then, for no apparent reason, customers will start calling again. I have found that to be true. Over the years I have had my ups and downs, and when I've been busy, other tuners have been slow, and visa versa. When I've looked at my income over a 5 year period, there didn't seem to be any pattern as to what time of year was slow, and when it was busy. During the '90 depression, I had more business I could handle. Yet, when the economy was strong, I had some very slow months. So hang it there, Marshall. Ask you landlord to be a little more patient, because in a couple of week, you'll have all the business you want. Wim, -----Original Message----- From: Marshall Gisondi <pianotune05 at hotmail.com> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Fri, Apr 9, 2010 8:47 am Subject: [pianotech] economy Hi Everyone, I am curious as to how everyones business is doing with our economy etc. For whatever reason when I moved back east after my training I started to get work wich is great, nothing to e-mail home about. Although since I'm already home I guess I don't need to e-mail. lol A sense of humor is needed on my part since business is sooooooo slow now. I may have to find other work unrelaed to piano tuning which is tough being a sight impaired guy in a tough economy. The customres I have are happy, no complaints. No news is good news I hope. I've even tried craigslist which normally will pick up a call or two, nothing right now. Christian yellow pages, nothing. regular yellow pages, i'm only in two thankfully, not too expensive, nothing. customer referrals nothing. Do any of you guys have some incredible ideas? I hope I get work soon so that my lanlor d won't have to continue waiting. the poor guy is so patient, but my wife and I are thankful. Unfortunately I cannot just work for nothing as I've been suggested in the past, "make yourself available at someones shop do whatever they ask you etc." Working for free doesn't pay the rent, electric, save for my sons's kindergarden tuition. He's going to Christian school not matter what it takes to get him there. So thanks everyone for your ideas. I hope you guys are all busy and the phones are ringing off the hook and the e-mails are coming. I hope I dont' sound too depressed. My family and friends tell me I seem depressed. Marshall Marshall Gisondi Piano Technician Marshall's Piano Service pianotune05 at hotmail.com 215-510-9400 Graduate of The School of Piano Technology for the Blind www.pianotuningschool.org Vancouver, WA Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. = -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100409/386477c8/attachment.htm>
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