An Introduction and A Number Of Questions

[Tom Sivak]

Sorry, I meant to send that last email to Zane.  Oops.
   
  Tom

Leslie Bartlett <l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
  

1) Is that list of costs accurate? What am I overlooking? Can you help me
estimate any of those areas? I'm guessing that transportation and parts
cost the most?
$3000 would, in my estimation get you started pretty well. A MAJOR problem
for "newbies" is to buy too many tools and toys too quickly. This is
exclusive of transportation.

2) How many pianos do you service in a week? How many can you do a day?
I've averaged in the last year 1.8 a day, exclusive of a "verbal contract"
with a school district. I could do three a day.. I live in Houston, and
drive long distances, and much time in traffic, PLUS, I normally tune a
piano twice (no extra charge). I'm 61, and have another part time job, so
that helps offset lost income. I have tuned ten in one day, however, doing
them once. My extra work is the basis of my reputation and that is my most
important advertising. Check my website, www.bartlettpianoservice.com. The
high level tunings pay less per hour than regular ones, but they build my
reputation and give satisfaction of high capacity work. (I also wear hearing
aids, by the way, and estimate "hearing" will cost me $2000 per year)

How do seasonal changes affect your business and where are you located?
Somewhat

Do you service pianos on weekends? As necessary.



3) Do you take credit cards or are you strictly cash based?
No credit cards. I've been asked, but never had anyone complain.

Do you generate invoices?
Yes I use PTG invoices, but they are supposed to be used only by RPT's

Do you establish a written contract with your customers for the services
you intend to provide?
I have only once when I rebuilt a piano. For tuning and basic services
NEVER- but that is just the way I prefer to work. Too much organization and
paper trails drive me nuts.

4) How much do you spend on advertising? Do people visit your website?
I spend virutally NOTHING beyond my web site, and I didn't have that till I
had established my reputation firmly.



5) How do you determine how much to charge? Is it a flat fee for tuning and
an hourly fee for regulation/repair? 
Market..... I started very low. When I got my certificate of completion I
went up. When I got RPT I went up. After I tuned for the Houston Symphony I
ascertained what the very top tuners were tuning, and now keep mine a bit
below theirs. I charge $90 for tuning and $45 for pitch raise, and say
$60/hour for repair work, though I normally cheat myself before the
customer. I am just slightly below the "average" income for a full-time
tuner which is something like $52,000 per year I think.


Best wishes. I'll write or can talk, as you feel interested or necessary.

les bartlett

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