[pianotech] Is this the work of an RPT?

[Matthew Todd]

Jer,
 
I don't think you would apply to this as much.  Aren't you like a third or fourth generation tuner in your family?  But, back to my original statement, yes, it is true.
 
Matthew

 

From: Gerald Groot <tunerboy3 at comcast.net>
To: 'Matthew Todd' <toddpianoworks at att.net>; pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2011 5:53 PM
Subject: RE: [pianotech] Is this the work of an RPT?

That isn’t true at all Matthew.  That, my friend, is a frame of mind – a mindset that you and many other tuners have made for yourself that sets your prices low and keeps them low.  What you think, is not necessarily the actual way things work in business.  In any business.  Prices must be raised from time to time in order to keep up with the cost of living and in order to make a living.  I’ve heard many tuners say that “my customer won’t pay that!” That’s wrong.   I have a friend here who lives in Grand Rapids 12 minutes from where I live that says the same thing.  Yet, I have the same exact customer types as he does.  Mine pay it.  His might not though but, that is only because of his negative attitude.  
 
Case in point.  As an example only…  My base fee for tuning here, is $150.  That is JUST for tuning only!  Major pitch raises are extra.  Removing the action is extra.  Repairs are extra.  Sure, I toss little things in here and there, we all do that.  But, that is besides the point.  I average well above that price for most tunings.  I tune at least 3 or 4 a day and am always booked ahead all year long.  I used to tune 6-9 a day but at age 55, I’m intentionally slowing myself down, trying to go for 3 tunings a day but, I’m far too busy to do that so, I keep tuning more and more.  J  For this next month, I will be tuning no less than 5 a day, 6 days a week.  I am booked solid through September.  I have most of October booked out.  I have all of November booked out.  I have all of December booked out.  I have all of January booked out.  I have all of March booked out.  By booked out, I mean NO openings at all.  I have 4 or 5
 action jobs already scheduled for next summer.  So, if what you said were true about raising prices, I would have gone out of business long ago.   
 
That did not come by me “naturally.”  I worked my tail off for years to build up my business and my reputation so that I could be that busy.  The fact is, our business is built up on our own reputations.  On our honesty, our integrity, our quality of workmanship, on our dependability and much more not to mention how we treat our customers.  It’s no wonder so many tuners are complaining about a lack of work with how they treat the RPT’s in here.  If they treat their clients the same way, I would never call them and being an RPT that knows these people, I would NEVER recommend them nor would I sub contract anything to them.  That becomes their loss.  Attitude is everything.  
 
Jer
 
 
 
From:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Matthew Todd
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 10:14 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Is this the work of an RPT?
 
Thank you sir.
 
That is why I said "standard tuning service".
 
My point was that if we raised our own rates each year, after a while, no one would want to pay the money, and we would soon be out of business.  Sure, maybe it's an assumption, but I will not be the one to try it to see if it is true.
 
 
TODD PIANO WORKS
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com
 
From:Jim Coleman <jcpanoman at colemantools.com>
To: Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>; pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2011 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: Re: [pianotech] Is this the work of an RPT?


Matthew,
 
 First, you wrote, "I'd be up over $200 for a standard tuning service."  If you were doing something on the order of a full service on your visit, that is tuning, some minor voicing, regulation touch-up, etc, you would be in the ball bark.
PTG's dues are a bargain!  We provide a sort of full service.....available to almost 4,000 members around the world.  If we did not keep the dues in line with increasing costs, and improving our 'service' to the membership you would, in time, have no educational resources, no Journal (worth the dues by it's self!), no website, no adequate Home Office building or personnel, the RCOs would be on their own and eventually disappear, no Annual Convention, etc.
The teaching and learning of new and better ways to service our clients would possibly revert back 60 years or so to the way it was when my grandfather was in the business and teaching my dad. They did not want to share any secrets with an 'outsider' lest they make more money
or take away any of their customers.
I can guarantee you that my dad nor I would be who or what we are today without PTG. And where would many of today's technicians be without my dad, LaRoy Edwards, Norm Neblett, Web Phillips, Al Sanderson, and so many other giants in the world of piano technology. 
 
So, to you Matthew and the other members on this list, if you want to be all you can be as a piano technician, get seriously involved in
PTG.   If you haven't challenged the tests, DO IT !  Get involved in your chapter, be a delegate to council! Run for office!
Who knows you could be president of PTG some day.
 
So much to say and so little time.
 
Jim Coleman, Jr  
Proud to be an RPT
 
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From:Matthew Todd
Date:08/31/11 23:00:05
To:pianotech at ptg.org
Subject:[Norton AntiSpam] Re: [pianotech] Is this the work of an RPT?
 
Dues increase Patrick?  So what else is new?  If I raised my rates as much and as often as the PTG raises theirs, I'd be up over $200 for a standard tuning service.
 
TODD PIANO WORKSMatthew Todd, Piano Technician
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com
From:J Patrick Draine <jpdraine at gmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 1:50 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Is this the work of an RPT?


Bill, 
Have you spoken to this particular RPT about the piano? Have you offered to show him how the work ought to be done?
If you care enough to bring the situation forward to the public as you have, you might consider following the procedures outlined in the PTG Bylaws, Disciplinary Code. While I doubt that any action would be taken against him, getting the appropriate committees involved may be just the "wake up call" that he needs.
On another note, I suggest you read the September Journal's "Executive Outlook" column, this month written by Vice President Chris Solliday. You will see that our elected leadership is considering furthering our "continuing education and training." This of course will need a major "buy in" from the membership (and, yes, probable dues increases) before any such plan is implemented.
Check it out, and get involved!
Patrick Draine
On Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 9:41 AM, Bill Fritz <pianofritz50 at aol.com> wrote: 
As to the work being performed, I've already answered that, w/ the customer's confirmation, and more detailed info on my part.
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