Discounting (was - RE: A New One)

[Alan W Deverell]

I am definitely against unjustified discounting and here are some of
the reasons:

1) The "standard" price should represent:

		The quality of the product;
		the costs of making/getting it to the market;
		the cost of establishing/securing the sale;
		the value of any after sales service/support;
		the cost of administering the sale/transaction;
		an appropriate return on underlying capital investment/training;
etc.
		other industry specific factors.

2) Unless merited by valid and appropriate personal or commercial
factors a "discount" can say:

		Yes, I'm charging TOO much;
		my product is not WORTH what I am asking for it;
		I would not have GIVEN you the after sales service/support anyway;
		my family can (deserve to) LIVE on less so your family have more;
		so, your customer needs/deserves a GRATUITY ? !!!!
		yes, "kick-backs" are an acceptable business practice;
		I can see that YOUR needs are greater than mine;
		I desperately NEED work and will meet any price/arrangement;
		I can survive the time distractions of "negotiating" instead 				of
actually using that time for working;
		etc. etc. etc.

I could go on... but, I have to spend SOME time working.

AlanD (fighting to balance his distractions with work)

>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org
>[mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
>Of VOCE88@AOL.COM
>Sent: Friday, September 25, 1998 8:31 AM
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: A New One
>
>
>In a message dated 9/24/98 12:52:52 PM Eastern Daylight
>Time, atodd@UH.EDU
>writes:
>
>> List,
>>
>     I just finished a phone call with a piano teacher who
>asked if I would give a discount (group rate) if she referred all her
>students to me. In the past, I've given small discounts to multiple
piano
>situations and occasionally to teachers, but this one wanted a
discount
>for all her students too. Unbelievable.
>     That's the first time I've been asked for a discount
>since I've been in Houston. Most of the people I've tuned for were
more
>interested in good work than saving a few dollars. That's one black
hole I'm
>not going to get into again.
>>     Just my opinion.
>>
>>  Avery (venting a little)
>>
>
>Avery,
>
>     Just a thought - Would offering this teacher free
>tunings justify her
>crowd and satisfy her?
>
>Good Luck
>
>Richard Galassini
>Cunningham Piano Co
>1 800 394 1117