Parts Markup, was: $450.00 Bass strings

[Farrell]

"Do you all mark up your parts prices?  I don't mark them up 100% like so
many places but I do want to cover my costs."

My philosophy on this is based on a complex mathamtical/scientific principal
called gut feeling/what seems right. What I do is mark up 100% on the first
$100 and 50% on anything over $100. 100% markup on big ticket items seems a
bit excessive to me. But figuring in your education, time ordering &
measuring, hassle of returning parts to get correct fit/etc. - so many
reasons the piano owner relies on your judgement in parts selection. This
little system seems to work well for me.

Wholesale part cost $85 - Retail price is $170.00

Wholesale part cost $185 - Retail price is $327.50

Wholesale part cost $1085 - Retail price is $1,677.50

What do others do?

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Erwinpiano" <Erwinpiano@email.msn.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 10:03 AM
Subject: Fw: $450.00 Bass strings???????

>
> Subject: Re: $450.00 Bass strings???????
>
> > Hi Tom
> >
> >    Thanks for the nice comments on my BB.  Also appreciate info and
> feedback
> > on the Sanderson( acu-strings)Strings.  Since Terry Farrell intiated
this
> > topic I've been thinking about the price differences between the G.C.
> > strings & the acu-strings.
> >     I dug out my G.C. price list for a string cost comparison between
the
> > two makers.  Danny at G.C. has a complete price list available upon
> request.
> > He has a progressive list as opposed to one price fits all  no matter
what
> > length. Really it makes sense to me that longer strings use more copper
> than
> > the short ones
> >
> >  I.E.The Sanderson( acu-strings) are $8.00 per string.   Where as
Steinway
> > models S thru A-3 onthe G.C. list are $4.75 to$5.48 per string which is
a
> > considerable difference.  For example a Steinway Model L or O has 42
> > strings.  The Brand S. string set would be $336.00. The brand G.C. set
is
> > $214.00.  The3 bridgeA has 57 strings(has 2 bi's and 3 tri's in tenor)
The
> > comparison there is  brand S. at $506.00 (Yikes) and theG.C. at $270.00.
> > The place the two makers get closer in price is only at the Model D
sets.
> > Once again Brand S. at $312.00 and G.C. at $284.70 and $296.38.  The
later
> > price is for the set with double wrapped mono chords and I highly
> recommend
> > it on all pianos(The sound is just cleaner) I honestly don't know why
> > Steinway didn't do that forever espeially onther shorter pianos.
> >    Any way, over all the Sanderson string is considerably more expensive
> > overall( an average of roughly $125.00) plus the scaling if needed. ARE
> THEY
> > REALLY WORTH  IT.  I guess I here some of you are saying yes and as you
> > concurred Tom, if you have excellant sound and hassle free service there
> not
> > that much more. As for me I'm yet unconvinced. Perhaps I'll be
persuaded.
> To
> > each there own. But Hey ain't it grand to get your strings from piano
> techs.
> > as both makers are!
> >
> >       Just food for thought. Do you all mark up your parts prices or are
> we
> > just performing charitable act  of rebuilding skills.I.E. OH Dear
Mr./Mrs,
> > client I've spent much of my life learning about all these wonderful
> piano
> > parts.  I have THOUSANDS OF HRS. invested so I can give you my reams of
> > wisdom for free.
> >     I don't mark them up 100% like so many places but I do want to cover
> my
> > costs.  Your thoughts are welcome.  AAhhhhh but maybe I feel a new
thread
> > coming into the fabric of the list.
> >
> >  Respectfully submitted
> >   Dale Erwin
> >
>
>
>