Scheduling question - benchmarks - business sense

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

Michael Magness wrote:

> Vacation? What's a vacation? Oh yeah I remember those, I took one with 
> my parents when I was a kid!

Vacation is what CAUT types get so's they can concentrate on their 
moonlighting for a while.

> Seriously Ron & Lorene that's some great advice. I can only add a few 
> do's and don'ts.
>  
> If you ring the bell and no one answers, this is where your cell phone 
> pays off, call from the doorstep, I have had people at home, vacuming, 
> Ironing in the basement w/ the TV turned up, who didn't hear the bell. 
> Before you sit in that chair, ask, it may be a delicate antique that no 
> one is allowed to sit in, I tune for a teacher and her 40+ students 
> because someone did that. Always set your toolcase/bag/kit on the floor! 
> Never on a table/chair/bench, again customer with an antique footstool 
> scratched by a toolbox of a previous tech is now my customer. If you use 
> metal tools, even wire handle mutes, use a towel or piece of cloth on 
> the fallboard to lay them on, you may know they won't scratch but 
> perception is the key here. I have had people tell me, "He wasn't 
> careful with the finish, he put those metal handled things right on the 
> wood"! Yes you are there to do your job but you are also a guest, act 
> like it and you will be "invited" back.
>  
> Mike


Be prepared to take your shoes off, too, especially when you see a pile 
of their shoes by the door. They really DO appreciate you asking. I've 
scooped up couple of customers, just by asking...

Having a cell phone with you only works if you have the number, however. 
;-{
Last Saturday afternoon, I had that couldn't-hear-over-the-game problem, 
but since the (long-time) customer had recently moved across the border 
(to MN) and had arranged the visit via e-mail, I didn't have that number.

I tuned two pianos at his school on Monday (he's the band director) and 
got his cell, his wife's cell AND his land line along with a promise to 
pay double mileage when I do a rescheduled visit.



-- 
Conrad Hoffsommer - Keyboard Technician
Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
1-(563)-387-1204 // Fax 1-(563)-387-1076