Comparisons: 1. Many of us will remember that in the earlier days of the internet, some companies charged by the minute or by the hour. This seemed fair. But when companies figured out a way to charge set fees, people seemed to like that too - especially those who used more hours.
2. Cell phone service providers also charged by the minute in the beginning, but now some are switching to a flat rate. For instance, my MetroPCS service charges me $45 a month for unlimited talk, text, and internet. (All taxes fees are included.)
One has to assume that the company has figured out the averages, then charges enough to come out ahead. If we use a lower amount internet or cell phone minutes, we are actually paying MORE per minute than those who use a larger amount.
The same is true for our business. If we charge a flat rate for tuning, some customers are paying more per minute of our time than others - obviously not fair to ones whose pianos take less time. But they accept it for the convenience of knowing IN ADVANCE what the charge will be.
Quote from Wim Blees:
One of the problems we have in our industry is, we try to combine a set fee, (tuning, and pitch raising), with work that is done at an hourly rate, (regulation, voicing, etc.) The way I have solved this discrepancy is to make a list of all the jobs I do, and estimate approximately how long it "normally" takes me to do them, including tuning. I try to stick to this list as best I can, deviating occasionally when I think a particular job will take me a little longer. If there is a job I have never done before, I try to estimate how long it will take. If it takes me longer, I usually eat the time. If it takes me less time, I reduce the amount I charge. I realize there are some techs that charge by the "job", and ask for that amount, regardless of how long it took, because the customer paid for the job to be done, and is happy to pay that amount. I don't work that way. I sell my time, and if a job takes me less than I originally estimated, I give the
customer a break.
Wim
On my web page I publish my price list with a list of estimated times for various jobs. ( http://aftune.angelfire.com/prices.html ) Most of my customers and many of my prospective customers understand this and are willing to go with it. It has worked out rather successfully for me since I instituted it 2 years ago. Some, however, prefer the fixed fee, and end up calling someone else.
Wally
A FINE TUNE - Piano Tuning & Repairs
Wallace T. Scherer, piano technician, music educator
5020 Canal Drive, Lake Worth, Florida, 33463-8014
Telephone: 561-432-4121
Web page: http://aftune.angelfire.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-FINE-TUNE-PIANO-TUNING-REPAIRS/129845010366185
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This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC