Selling the business

[Wimblees@AOL.COM]

In the Novmeber 1999 issue of the Journal is an article I wrote on selling a 
tuning and repairing business. So I won't go into details. But let me asnwer 
Alan's remarks.

I agree with Alan, and Keith, that the business a tuner has developed over 
the years is only as good as the reputation of the tuner. However, the 
clients, no matter how faithful, needs someone to look after the piano once 
the tuner has retired, (or moved out of the area). While the retiring tuner 
cannot guarantee the work of the new tuner, and the new tuner will have to 
develop his/her own reputation, it is at least a start. 

I am sure there are many technicians who struggled early in their career. I 
would have been willing to pay for a list of customers if one would have been 
available. 

Just like any small business, ownership changes hands. Customer will continue 
to use that service, until they find reason not to use it. 

All of us have one thing in common. We have built up a non tangible asset. 
When we retire, we should be able to sell that asset, to reap some reward for 
hard work we have done. What the new owner of the business does with the 
assets is another story.

Just my thoughts,

Willem