Mark-up (was Steinway parts)

[A440A at aol.com]

>>We have never, not once, raised our price on a job after the estimate is
signed. And we have eaten a lot of mistakes and unseen stuff over the years. 
>>

>David writes:

<< Then why do you call it an "estimate"?

       It IS an estimate.  I give my estimates on a "not more than" basis.  
In the early days, it occasionally cost me money and time, but paid me back 
with a reputation of being trustworthy.  This has remained with me as I have 
raised my prices to cover all unseen circumstances and now about 50% of the jobs I 
can bring in under the original estimate.  Customers love this, and customers 
HATE having the agreed upon price rising after the job has begun.  I enjoy 
the freedom it gives me to do what I feel I need to do to deliver performance 
level work.  My customers like it because there is NEVER any suspicion that I am 
doing a "bait and switch".   
  It was an investment I made in building a clientele, and it has paid off 
quite well. 
Regards, 


Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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