[pianotech] economy

[Rob McCall]

Marshall,

I'm in very much the same boat as you are.  I have only been in business for about a year now, but I wholeheartedly agree with Wim.  I've talked with other business owners and techs in this area and it's much the same for them, as well.

I know for me, the first part of March was pretty much a blank calendar, and then for some reason, the phone rang off the hook during the last two weeks of March.  Tunings, Dampp-Chasers, cleanings, regulation, fix broken wires... It was about $2,500 in sales in 2 weeks.  

Annnnnd.... now the phone is quiet again.  :-)

It's probably a good thing right now because I'm trying to finish my taxes, but in my limited view of this industry, it has very much been cyclical.  Hang in there!  :-)

Regards,

Rob McCall

McCall Piano Service, LLC
www.mccallpiano.com
Murrieta, CA
951-698-1875



On Apr 09, 2010, at 12:06 , tnrwim at aol.com wrote:

> Marshall
>  
> I feel your pain and depression. It's been tough for me, too. But, the phone is starting to ring a little more.
>  
> Here is something that might make you feel better. It won't solve your immediate problem, but hopefully will give you some encouragement to hang in there. When I first started in the business 35 years ago, an old timer told me that for no reason at all, the phone will stop ringing. It has nothing to do with the economy, the time of year, or the weather. He said that while he was looking for work, some of his friends in the business, in the same town, were busy as all get out. Then, for no apparent reason, customers will start calling again.
>  
> I have found that to be true. Over the years I have had my ups and downs, and when I've been busy, other tuners have been slow, and visa versa. When I've looked at my income over a 5 year period, there didn't seem to be any pattern as to what time of year was slow, and when it was busy. During the '90 depression, I had more business I could handle. Yet, when the economy was strong, I had some very slow months.  
>  
> So hang it there, Marshall. Ask you landlord to be a little more patient, because in a couple of week, you'll have all the business you want.
>  
> Wim, 
> 
>