[pianotech] economy

[tnrwim at aol.com]

Well, I just ran across a craigslist ad for the Houston area:
 
"Pianos tuned for 45$. Lowest price in town."
 
I wonder how busy this individual will be!?


TODD PIANO WORKS 
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician 




He'll get a lot of phone calls, and make some appointments, but he probably won't get any repeat business. 

Or, the tuning is $45, but it'll be like buying a plane ticket. $10,00 surcharge for gas, $5 for taking the tools in the house, $15 to open the top and remove the fall board, ($30 if there are pictures and knick knacks on the piano), $5 to fill out the bill, plus state and city tax. And "you want fries with that"?  $50 to file the hammers, $35 to take up lost motion, $50 to polish the keys, $25 to dust off the top, etc etc. And the guy walks out with a check for $250. 
 

Wim 




-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Mon, Apr 12, 2010 3:00 pm
Subject: Re: [pianotech] economy




Well, I just ran across a craigslist ad for the Houston area:
 
"Pianos tuned for 45$. Lowest price in town."
 
I wonder how busy this individual will be!?


TODD PIANO WORKS 
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician 
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com


--- On Mon, 4/12/10, David Stocker <firtreepiano at hotmail.com> wrote:


From: David Stocker <firtreepiano at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] economy
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Monday, April 12, 2010, 3:37 PM


Marshall,
 
When I started my business, I was told the general rule is a new business will take from two to five years to be established. Some businesses don't even expect a profit for that period. The first couple of years for me were busy for two weeks, sitting on my hands for three weeks, busy again for a while, etc. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason, it didn't seem seasonal, it just came and went. At about two years out, I started to be busy in a fairly steady manner.
 
I will sometimes have more empty slots on the calendar than I would like, but I don't feel comfortable being lazy for too long. Spend time with the family, clean your shop, sharpen tools, make that jig you don't need now but you will some day, read the Journal till you fall asleep and take a nap! 
 
Any intelligent marketing will pay off some, but word of mouth will always be your best source. Make it easy for people to find you.
 
In watching a number of businesses, not just piano techs, I have come to the firm belief that if you do good, consistent work, treat your customers right, and persevere you will be successful. That is many people's experience of the American Way.
 
Hang in there!
 
David Stocker, RPT
Tumwater, WA
 
 
 




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