[pianotech] Right Here, Right Now (was Stuff Which Should Really Be on PTG-L)(OT)

[Leslie Bartlett]

Such a thing would certainly lose the likes of me. I'd put "former RPT" on
my card and live with it, easily explaining to customers that it got too
expensive.  There are technicians who make big bucks. ("If you don't net
$100K a year you need my class").  I gross about 40% of that, but am in the
top tier of quality tuners in the area.  I don't happen to be a good
business person, and have to work harder than some because of hearing
issues.  I can't afford to pay like the rich folks.

Les bartlett 

 

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From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Paul T Williams
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 3:39 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Right Here, Right Now (was Stuff Which Should
Really Be on PTG-L)(OT)

 

Hey Ryan, 

I might have a problem coming up with $450/year for dues.  I'm, as you know,
a CAUT, and due to all the university cuts in this and that, my salary has
not gone up for 2 years, and wasn't huge to begin with.  My fault I guess
for getting into the university setting.  When I began, I was in love with
this job, as I could finally just do all the things I have learned over the
years without selling anything.  My clientele was, on average, not
interested in anything but basic service. Now, I rebuild, restring, etc with
only my budget to argue with.  And...it's a very nice budget...just got
bumped up, too!  a lot!, but my salary only just got raised 2%. Amazing,
though, considering the state of the U. I guess they like me and know
they're getting a great bargain for my services. The 2% doesn't even begin
to catch up with what I started with.  It was my gamble, and I lost. 

However, my salary has not gone up by very much since I started here 5 years
ago. With all the everything else that has gone up, it's pretty much
swallowed up in life, so a $450 dues charge would be quite a tough hit on my
family...especially right after the holiday season. 

I have no way to raise my rates to compensate.  It is a great thing we have
in PTG, but I would hate for a lot of folks to drop out just because they
can't afford it. That would create a bad scene. 

Best, 

Paul 





From: 

Ryan Sowers <tunerryan at gmail.com> 


To: 

pianotech at ptg.org 


Date: 

07/01/2011 01:44 PM 


Subject: 

Re: [pianotech] Right Here, Right Now (was Stuff Which Should Really Be on
PTG-L)(OT)

 

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Like our piano service businesses, when you raise your rates, you mostly
lose the lowest level of your clientele and keep the bottom feeders out of
range. I think most technicians underestimate what they can charge. I don't
think we should underestimate members willingness to pay for a top notch
organization. 

If you are a full time technician $450 a year is a drop in the bucket in
your yearly expenses. 

Ryan Sowers



On Fri, Jul 1, 2011 at 10:05 AM, Coleman, Jim <jcolem21 at utk.edu> wrote: 
Alan & All, 

About 3 years ago my report to Council stated that for PTG to be a dues
based operation the dues would have to be around $350.  Since then the cost
of doing everything has gone up.  In today's dollars they would probably
need to be $400-$450. 

Personally I think that is where we should be (and it  would still be a
bargin) but as Dale Probst has stated, we do not know what the fall-out
would be in terms of losing members. 

  

See you in KC! 

  

Jim Coleman, Jr   RPT 

  Staff Piano Technician 

     University of Tennessee 

     Knoxville, TN 

  <tel:%28865%29%20748-0998> (865) 748-0998 

 <tel:%28602%29%20989-0005> (602) 989-0005 

  




-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net <http://www.pianova.net/>  

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