argh!

[David Love]

Actually, the way I generally present a situation like this is by comparing
my minimum fee to come out and fix the string with the fee for coming out
to do a full service.  The difference is usually such that it's worth their
while to have the whole piano serviced.  For example.  If your fee to tune
a piano is $125. and you are called to just to come and fix a string, what
would you charge?  I would probably have a minimum "show up" fee of $75. -
$95.?  I think it's best if your minimum fee is around 75% of your normal
fee.  Then, when you are called upon to do something such as Ron described,
you present it by saying that your minimum fee to come out and fix the
string is  $75.00 but for $125.00 they can have the piano tuned as well
which it needs anyway.  You advise them to schedule the complete service as
it makes more economic sense.   Most of the time they will opt for the
complete service.  Since my service fee would probably include a string
replacement (unless it's a bass string or more difficult one to replace)
there would likely be no charge beyond the normal service fee.  

Other times, like when a pencil falls behind the fall board, you have to
decide whether charging a fee is in your best interest in terms of your
relationship with your customer.  Unfortunately, it's often one of those
letter of the law/spririt of the law problems.  Sometimes it's best to
modify your policy as the situation dictates.   

David Love
davidlovepianos@earthlink.net


> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Richard Brekne 
> To: Pianotech;davidlovepianos@earthlink.net
> Sent: 6/26/2003 3:24:09 AM 
> Subject: Re: argh!
>
>
>   
> David Love wrote: 
> You're in luck Mr. Minister, my fee to come and repair a string happens
to 
> include a tuning.  Similarly, my fee for a tuning includes replacing a 
> broken string (treble, anyway). 
> David Love 
> davidlovepianos@earthlink.net 
>   
>  
> Grin... how do you present this to them David... hehe... I mean do you
> say... 
> "And you get a FREE tuning as part of the job !!! " 
> or do you say 
> "My fee includes a tuning charge so you might as well let me tune it" 
> or just how do you handle this.. ?... especially if, on that rare
occasion,
> the string breaks the day after you just tuned the thing ? 
> Cheers... 
> RicB 
> How's a your summer treating you btw ?? 
>   
>   
>   
>   
> -- 
> Richard Brekne 
> RPT, N.P.T.F. 
> UiB, Bergen, Norway 
> mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no 
> http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html 
> http://www.hf.uib.no/grieg/personer/cv_RB.html 
>   
>
>
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