Ditto for what David said. I too, double the charge or close to it. After all, it is my time calling in the order in the first place along with taking measurements on the string. Next, they also pay for shipping and handling charges. Then, I charge a service call which only, gets me to the door like most other companies do.....an appliance repair man or plumber comes to mind. Then, I charge an additional charge for my time to install it. The clock starts ticking when I get out of the car. I also charge to remove the old wire as well as the coil and turning the tuning pin out to the correct height prior to installation of the new wire. I do mute the string as David does saving future service calls for the customer and I stretch the dickens out of it prior to leaving too, making sure that the string is level with the other wires around it. You don't want one wire higher or lower because we were fooling around stretching it. If they prefer to have me make additional trips (concert work comes to mind) over there to tune it back up rather than to mute it, that's fine too. Then I charge a service call for each return trip. Plus a few extra dollars because 90% of the time, the piano is loaded back up with crap again that I have to remove. Of course, all of this should be explained to them in advance of the work. I figure this way... My car doesn't operate on air... I might though... My expenses do not change so I'm not about to give my time away for nothing. I'm sure that'll bring some smart comments back... But, that's how I do it. Jer -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Ilvedson Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 3:27 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Bass String Installation Fee #1...be prepared to measure and order the string at the job. You will need an account with Mapes so they can debit you checking account when they ship the string. I simply double the price + shipping charge. Of course there is the return service call to install, which you have to decide what to charge. I tune it high and mute off the new string. I don't typically return to touch up the string. If I was going to do that on a regular basis I would then figure that into my total service charges... David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "Matthew Todd" <toddpianoworks at att.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 12/7/2009 11:55:13 AM Subject: [pianotech] Bass String Installation Fee >On one of my appointments last week, a bass string broke during a pitch raise. I am >ordering a new replacement through Mapes. > >What is a decent way to charge for this replacement? In other words, when you bill >a customer for this, do you also include an added fee for returning one or two more >times to adjust the pitch? And, I know there was some discussion a while back on >parts mark up. Some mark up parts 50%, some 100%. Do ya'll mark up parts for >single bass strings? > >Thank you, >Matthew _____ avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 091207-0, 12/07/2009 Tested on: 12/7/2009 3:52:07 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2009 ALWIL Software.
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC