Free estimates

[Pianofxrguy@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 06/02/2000 6:28:23 AM US Eastern Standard Time, 
cedel@supernet.com writes:

<< I usually tell clients that businesses which offer free estimates are 
usually
 those which sell big ticket items, such as builders, but that I can't afford 
to
 give a free estimate on what might be a relatively inexpensive job.  Do 
those of
 you who rebuild pianos give free estimates?  I would consider that a bigger 
job,
 but I would guess clients frequently abandon the idea of rebuilding when 
they find
 out what it will cost. >>

I used to charge a nominal fee for an estimate and then tell them that if 
they chose to do the work, I would take the estimate fee off the top. That 
sort of worked. Now there are a couple of other local guys who give free 
estimates, so I am kind of trapped. I am considering going back to the other 
plan because I think the other guys are overcharging to make up for the lost 
ones, since I do not do that I am kind of cutting my own throat.
    John Stroup